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Only AKC-registered American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers can participate in AKC conformation shows. AKC shows are typically larger and more hectic than UKC or ADBA shows, in part because of all the different breeds also competing.

AKC offers the following classes:

 Puppy: For dogs 6 months to under 12 months of age. This is often divided into a 6 to 9 month class and a 9 to 12 month class.

 12 to 18 months: For dogs 12 months to under 18 months of age.

 Novice: For dogs who have not won more than a limited number of first place awards in certain classes (the exact number depends on which class the dog’s in).

 Amateur Owner-Handler: For dogs handled by their owners, who must never have been professional handlers or assistants.

 Bred by Exhibitor: For dogs bred, owned, and handled by the same person or an immediate family.

 American Bred: For dogs bred in the United States.

 Open: For all dogs over 6 months of age.

 Best of Breed: For AKC Champions (males and females compete against each other).

Except for Best of Breed, male dogs compete in all their classes first. Each class winner then competes for Winners Dog. Then the female classes are held and the winners compete for Winners Bitch. Both Winners Dog and Winners Bitch then compete against each other for Best of Winners and against the champions for Best of Breed. The best AmStaff of the opposite sex to the male or female AmStaff selected Best of Breed is awarded the Best of Opposite Sex award.

Since most AKC shows are open to all AKC breeds, they usually have further competition. Every Best of Breed winner in the Terrier group competes against each other, and the winners of all seven AKC groups (Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-sporting, and Herding) ultimately compete for Best in Show.

An AKC Championship is earned by winning 15 points. Points are awarded to the Winners Dog and Bitch. The number of points can range from 0 to 5, and depends upon the number of dogs defeated. Many intricacies are involved in calculated points, however, so the safest bet is to check with the steward before leaving the show if you’re not sure what your dog has won.

The saying “every dog has his day” no doubt came from dog shows. Sometimes, the least-deserving dogs in the world seem to win. On other days, the judge has the wisdom of Solomon and points to your dog as the winner for first! Be prepared for anything, and cultivate a sense of humor.

No matter what, don’t ever allow your dog’s ability to win in competition cloud your perception of your dog’s true worth in his primary role — that of friend and companion. A dog who is last in his class but first in his owner’s heart is far better off than an unloved dog who is first in any competition.