The judges are persons who have been licensed by the American Kennel Club to officiate at the shows. Some persons are licensed to judge only one breed; some are licensed to judge several or many breeds and a very few persons are licensed to judge every breed.

The judge is expected to judge each dog before him according to the standard as adopted by the particular breed club and approved by the American Kennel Club.

Physical conformation of the dog is of primary importance and other factors found in all standards are conditions of coat; ability to gait, or run, with an even movement; and general behavior in the ring.

Obviously all judges do not have the same opinion of each dog and a dog that wins at one show against the competing dogs may not win at the next show under a different judge and against other dogs. This is where the "sporting" factor enters for the exhibitor and his dog and explains why each show is a new venture for both.

Dogs defeated at one stage or the other as the judging progresses are not necessarily inferior specimens of the breed in the judge's opinion—the judge has simply given his opinion that the winning dog is nearer the standard of perfection for the breed, considering the condition and appearance of all the entries on the day of the judging.

Five Classes
In each breed the exhibitor has the opportunity of entering his dog in one of five classes generally scheduled. In some of the breeds there are more than five classes as explained below. The same classes are provided for the male and female sexes and the classes for males are always judged first.

(1) The Puppy Class shall be for dogs six months and not exceeding twelve months of age. The age of a dog shall be calculated up to and inclusive of the day preceding the show.

(2) The Novice Class is for a dog that has never won a first prize in a regular class at any show, including Winners Class, wins in Puppy Classes, excepted. Only dogs whelped in United States and Canada are eligible.

(3) Bred by Exhibitor Class shaud be for all dogs excepting Champions, six months of age and over which shall be presently owned and exhibited by the same person or kennel who were the recognized breeders on the records of the American Kennel Club.

(4) The American-bred Class is for all dogs (except champions) six months and over, born in the United States by reason of a mating which took place in the United States.

(5) The Open Class shall be for any dog six months of age or over except in a member specialty club show held only for American-bred dogs, in which case the Open Class shall be only for American-bred dogs.

"Winners" and "Reserve Winners"
After the winner of each of the classes has been selected, all of the class winners of the sex are brought together and the best among them is chosen and designated
(6) "Winners Dog" (best male). The second best is designated
(7) "Reserve Winners Dog."

The "Winner Dog" is awarded points toward his Championship—the number of points depending on the number of males that were shown in the classes of the particular breed being judged. A dog must win points to become a Champion and no more than five points can be won at any show regardless of the number of dogs of the breed entered at the show.

The same classes for females are then judged and a
(8) "Winners Bitch" (best female) and
(9) "Reserve Winners Bitch" are selected. The "Winners Bitch" is likewise awarded a certain number of points toward her Championship, depending on the number of females that were shown in the classes for the breed.

The "Winners Dog" and "Winners Bitch" then compete against each other and the judge selects the better of the two and the award
(10) "Best of Winners" is made to the one chosen.

"Specials Only"
Then the males and females entered in the class for (11) "Specials Only" (all of which must be champions of record) and any undefeated dogs which have competed at the show only in classes other than the regular classes are brought into the ring to compete against the male or female that has been chosen (10) "Best of Winners."

"Best of Breed"
From all these dogs the judge selects the best one in his opinion and awards the (12) "Best of Breed" or (12a) "Best of Variety of Breed" ribbon to the one selected. (Some breeds have two varieties, Beagles; some have three varieties, Cocker Spaniels.) That means the male or female selected has been judged to be the best dog of the (12) breed or (12a) variety entered in the show. In case no dogs are entered for (11) "Specials Only" the dog previously selected as (10) "Best of Winners" is automatically designated as (12) "Best of Breed" or (12a) "Best of Variety of Breed" without further judging.

Six Special Groups
After the best dog of each breed has been selected at the show the winning dogs meet in one of the six different groups—all Sporting dogs designated "Best of Breed" meeting in the (13) Sporting group, for example. This procedure is followed in the (14) Hound Group, the (15) Working Group, the (16) Terrier Group, the (17) Toy Group and the (18) Non-Sporting Group.

Final Judging Best in Show
The winner of each of these groups then is brought into the ring and one of the six dogs is judged to be (19) "Best Dog in Show."

Best American Bred Dog
This dog is selected from the six dogs which have been judged Best American Bred (20) in each of the Variety Groups. If the Best In Show is not an American Bred, the judge ascertains which dog in the group from which he selected his Best In Show, was judged the Best American Bred dog in that group and that dog should then come in the ring. If any of the five remaining dogs are not American Bred they leave the ring and the best American Bred in each of those five groups come in.

How Champions Are Made
To become a champion, a dog must win 15 championship points. Championship points are earned only by placing first in the Winners class. However, the dog chosen Best of Winners is entitled to the higher number of points won in the two sexes.

For example, if there were very few males competing and the Winners Dog won only one point, but beat the Winners Bitch, who had won five because of more competition, then he would also be entitled to five points.

Championship points are awarded on a scale drawn up by The American Kennel Club. The country is divided into four groups, then points for each breed are figured on the basis of national registrations and previous show entries for that area.

AH show catalogs are required to carry the scale of points for all breeds in the section of the country where the show is held. This may vary for dogs and bitches of the same breed.

Five points is the largest number that can be won at one show. Rare breeds can combine the sexes for judging. This yields more championship points but only one winners class instead of the usual two.

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most popular breeds and the most often shown dog. So it requires an average of between 50-60 males in actual class competition to yield five championship points; 55-65 bitches must compete to gain five points, depending on location of show.

There is one other way in which a dog can win championship points. If a dog comes up through the classes, wins Best of his Breed, then wins first of his group, he is entitled to the maximum number of points awarded to any other dog in the group.

A check system to prevent "cheap championships" is set by the rule that a dog must win two shows with three points or more under at least two different judges.

Who Runs the Show
The sponsor of a show is either a local all-breed dog club or a club whose members are fanciers of a particular breed. The latter often hold "specialty shows" restricted to the single .breed. The active management of most shows is turned over to a show superintendent who supplies the necessary equipment and takes charge of all arrangements.

All dogs shows where championship points are awarded are held under the rules of the A.K.C., which has the responsibility of licensing judges and superintendents, registering pure-bred dogs, and keeping records of the awards and points given at every show.

Conduct In the Ring
Neatness in appearance is taken for granted. Simple unrestricting clothing is preferable. In Summer, the shows are out of doors, so a light weight cotton dress, trim and unadorned or a pair of culottes are perfect for the woman. The man may wear a fresh, neatly pressed slack and sport shirt. The Winter shows are inside, but many times the buildings are unheated. Dress accordingly. Pants suits for women are now permissable, and panty hose have proved a blessing as there is a great deal of stooping and bending in exhibiting a dog. Men usually wear suits and ties.

The judge is always well dressed. The woman wears a corsage and the man a buttonniere so that they are distinguished from the exhibitor.
Many times the exhibitor finds he is being crowded in the ring by the exhibitor next to him. This may be accidental or deliberate. Try to move to another place as quietly as possible, and without any disturbance. Never raise your voice or display anger, and above all do not chat with your neighbor. Any display of this kind may interfere with the judge's trend of thought and he may even find cause to dismiss you from the ring with a warning, or report you to the A.K.C. where a fine may be imposed. In the ring the judge is sovereign.

When judging has been concluded and the photographer has photographed the winning dog, with the handler and judge, you may enter the ring and address the steward if you have been nursing a grievance. Make your charge of misconduct to the steward, who will record the complaint, ft he believes it is warranted. This report will go to the American Kennel Club for consideration. If the complaint is taken the offender may have his license revoked (if a professional handler) or a fine imposed and the dog may even be disqualified. All this must be done immediately, or within a couple of hours, or it will not be accepted.

Remember that you have spent a great deal of time training your dog to be well mannered in the ring, so you, too, must be beyond reproach.