Rules, Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges Amended to July 2021 Published by the American Kennel Club® AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB’S MISSION STATEMENT The American Kennel Club is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Founded in 1884, the AKC and its affiliated organizations advocate for the purebred dog as a family companion, advance canine health and well-being, work to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership. Judging at AKC® shows should be enjoyable for the judge and beneficial to the sport of purebred dogs. In this publication, you will find Rules, Policies and suggested Guidelines. The Policies and Rules will be clearly designated as such. The suggestions have been developed over the years based on the experience of many seasoned judges and the AKC staff. You will find them most helpful in learning the judging process. Policies are adopted by the Board of Directors, and Rules are approved by the Delegate body. Compliance with these is mandatory. As an AKC-approved judge, you are expected to be familiar with all of the material in this publication as well as all other AKC Rules. Sections referencing Rules are identified by an [R]. Sections referencing Policies are identified by a [P]. Copyright 2021 The American Kennel Club, Inc. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without the written permission of The American Kennel Club. CODE OF SPORTSMANSHIP PREFACE: The sport of purebred dog competitive events dates prior to 1884, the year of AKC’s birth. Shared values of those involved in the sport include principles of sports- manship. They are practiced in all sectors of our sport: conformation, performance and companion. Many believe that these principles of sportsmanship are the prime reason why our sport has thrived for years. With the belief that it is useful to periodically articulate the fundamentals of our sport, this code is presented. THE CODE • Sportsmen respect the history, traditions and integrity of the sport of purebred dogs. • Sportsmen commit themselves to values of fair play, honesty, courtesy, and vigorous competition, as well as winning and losing with grace. • Sportsmen refuse to compromise their commitment and obligation to the sport of purebred dogs by injecting personal advantage or consideration into their decisions or behavior. • The sportsman judge judges only on the merits of the dogs and considers no other factors. • The sportsman judge or exhibitor accepts constructive criticism. • The sportsman exhibitor declines to enter or exhibit under a judge where it might reasonably appear that the judge’s placements could be based on something other than the merits of the dogs. • The sportsman exhibitor refuses to compromise the impartiality of a judge. • The sportsman respects the AKC bylaws, rules, regulations and policies governing the sport of purebred dogs. • Sportsmen find that vigorous competition and civility are not inconsistent and are able to appreciate the merit of their competition and the effort of competitors. • Sportsmen welcome, encourage and support newcomers to the sport. • Sportsmen will deal fairly with all those who trade with them. • Sportsmen are willing to share honest and open appraisals of both the strengths and weaknesses of their breeding stock. • Sportsmen spurn any opportunity to take personal advantage of positions offered or bestowed upon them. • Sportsmen always consider as paramount the welfare of their dog. • Sportsmen refuse to embarrass the sport, the American Kennel Club, or themselves while taking part in the sport. The Code of Sportsmanship is an affirmation of how registrants and participants should behave, and violations will be handled pursuant to the Charter and Bylaws and the Dealing with Misconduct at AKC Events booklet. Complaints will be handled by sending a copy to the subject of the complaint and giving him/her an opportunity to respond. If the number or seriousness of the complaints against a person rises to the level requiring formal discipline (i.e. conduct prejudicial to purebred dogs, AKC events or the AKC), AKC will consider preferring charges. Infractions of a lesser degree will be dealt with by an educational letter sent to the parties involved, affirming the Code of Sportsmanship and/or judging misconduct policy. TABLE OF CONTENTS AN AKC APPROVED JUDGE ..................1 YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A JUDGE .........1 Breed Knowledge ....................1 Procedure ..........................1 Impartiality ........................1 ETHICS: HONESTY AND COMMON SENSE ......2 CONFLICT OF INTEREST ....................3 GRAY AREAS .............................3 Attending Shows ....................4 Breeding and Exhibiting ...............4 Exhibiting and Handling ..............4 Social Functions ....................5 Occupational and Household Eligibility Requirements ...............5 A HANDY RULE OF THUMB ..................6 ACCEPTING ASSIGNMENTS ..................6 Invitations to Judge ..................6 Avoid Conflicts ......................6 Non-AKC Shows .....................7 Travel Between Assignments ...........7 Expenses ..........................7 FITNESS TO JUDGE/ILLNESS ................8 Fitness to Judge .....................8 Illness ............................8 BEFORE ENTERING THE RING ...............8 Be on Time .........................8 Observations and Evaluations ..........8 Avoid Contacts ......................9 Cell Phones ........................9 Proper Attire .......................9 Smoking ...........................9 JUDGING THE DOGS ......................10 You Are in Charge ..................10 Check the Ring ....................10 Assembling the Class ................10 Disabled Exhibitors Policy ............11 Change of Handlers .................12 Late Arrivals .......................12 Rules and Breed Standards ...........12 Speed of Judging ...................13 Acceptable Collars and Leashes ........13 Double Handling ...................13 Large Entries, Small Rings ............13 First Impressions ...................14 Individual Examination of Dogs ........14 Evaluating a Dog’s Mouth ............15 Use of Ramps – A Clarification ........15 Table Breeds ......................16 Ramp Breeds .....................16 Gaiting ..........................17 Sparring ..........................17 Placing the Dogs ...................17 Designating Class Placements .........17 Best in Show ......................18 Reserve Best in Show ...............18 Double Entries .....................18 Grand Champion ...................18 Awards of Merit ....................19 Winners and Reserve Winners Classes ...19 Best of Winners Competition ..........19 Withholding or Excusing .............19 Impact of Withholding or Excusing ......20 Non-Regular Competitive Classes .......20 Junior Showmanship ................20 Stud Dog and Brood Bitch ............20 Brace and Team Competition ..........21 THE JUDGE’S BOOK ......................21 Marking the Judge’s Book ............21 Double-Checking the Book ............22 Breed Judge’s Book (Sample) ..........23 EXCUSALS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS .........24 RULES DISMISSALS .......................24 Lameness, Excusal ..................24 Normally Descended Testicles in Males ..24 Change in Appearance, Disqualification ..24 Color ............................25 Poorly Trained, Shy and Vicious Dogs ...25 Excusal for Menacing ................25 Disqualifcation for Attack .............25 STANDARDS DISMISSALS ..................26 Disqualifying Faults .................26 Weighing .........................26 Measurement Rules .................27 Measuring Procedure ................27 Dogs That Resist Measurement ........28 Verbal Protests .....................28 MISCELLANEOUS. .30 Misconduct .......................30 Photographs .......................30 Videotaping/Televising Dog Events ......30 JUDGE’S CHECKLIST ......................31 AN AKC APPROVED JUDGE As a dog show judge, you are an essential part of the fancy and carry enormous responsibilities. Without your dedication and expertise, dog shows simply cannot function properly. The American Kennel Club has a significant vested interest in its judges and has adopted the following Conflict of Interest Policy with respect to eligibility to judge: [P] No AKC judge may have a significant interest in a dog registry or dog event-giving organization deemed by the AKC Board to be in competition with the American Kennel Club. Significant interest would include, but not be limited to, ownership of, employment by, a directorship in, and holding office in. You should be thoroughly familiar with this guide, as well as all of AKC’s Rules and Policies if you: • are an approved or permit judge, • have accepted match, sweepstakes or futurity judging assignments, • are a visiting judge accepting assignments at AKC events • plan to apply for permit judging approval. Rules [R] and Policies [P] are identified throughout this publication. This booklet cannot cover all situations, nor can it substitute for common sense. Whenever you have a question about judging pro- cedure or conduct, consult the AKC Executive Field Representative present at the show. There is an AKC Executive Field Representative at most all-breed shows. The Field Representative is the first person to whom you should turn to discuss questions hav- ing to do with your judging. For a current list of Conformation AKC Executive Field Representative, please visit the