Conformation
If you are interested in getting involved in Conformation, email us and we will gladly connect you with club members who can help get you started.
The official term for dog shows is conformation — as in, the act of conforming or producing conformity. While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not. Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. Why? Because the closer a dog’s appearance is to the breed’s standard, the better that dog’s ability will be to produce puppies that meet the standard. It’s also the reason why mixed breeds and spayed or neutered purebreds are ineligible to compete in conformation.
New to Conformation? Participating in dog shows can undoubtedly feel daunting for newcomers. Reach out to us and we are happy to put you in touch with members who can help guide you to get started.
AKC Rules Applying to Dog Shows
Rules and Regulations
At a glance the many classes, rules, and regulations of a dog show can seem daunting. However, learning the terminology and how it applies will help tremendously. Having a mentor helps in this aspect as it can help to have someone there to explain in further detail should questions arise.
A good place to start is by simply going over the AKC conformation Beginners Guide.
Our next Specialty Show will be October 31 - November 2, 2025.