The National Dog Show - Facts

1.     Type of Competition:

Both the Birmingham (British) National Dog Show and The Purina (American) National Dog Show competitions are "conformation" style. This means that the dogs are judged by their general appearance and physical qualities.

2.     Location:

The British National Dog Show is held at the Staffordshire County Show grounds in Stafford, England during the month of May. The American National Dog Show is held at the Fort Washington Expo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Thanksgiving Day.

3.     History:

The first dog show was organized in England in the 1830's. The first show of the National Dog Show was held in 1859. The first dog show in the United States was held by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia (KCP) in 1876. The AKC followed with their first show in 1884.

4.     Sanctioned:

The British National Dog Show was organized by the Birmingham Dog Show Society since 1859 and still follows their standards today. The American National Dog Show follows the AKC and the KCP standards.

5.     Entrance Procedure:

The dog must be at least six months of age, it must be registered with the AKC for the American show and the KC for the British show, and it must be one of the breeds listed in the classes that are shown. Both shows require that the person who is entering the dog must be the same person the dog is registered under.

6.     Classes:

The British classes, or groups, are: Working, Pastoral, Gundog, Utility, Toy, Hound, and Terrier. The American groups are: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding.

7.     Judging:

A dog is judged by his physical appearance and qualities. A Judge will look at how the dog walks (his gait), with his hands will feel the muscles and bones of the body, check the teeth, and feel the texture of the coat to make sure the AKC and KCP standards of that breed are met. Because the British National Dog Show follows the same type of competition rules, their dogs are judged the same way.

8.     Awards:

Both shows award "Best in Group" and "Best in Show." The British club also has Reserve Best in Show, 3rd, 4th, Best Puppy in Show, Reserve Puppy, and Best Veteran. The American club gives three additional awards: Best of Breed, Best of Winners, and Best of Opposite Sex.