4 to 6 Month Puppy Beginner Competition

Judging

Classes for this competition are simplified to permit judges to take the time necessary to make new exhibitors and their puppies comfortable with a new experience. Judging of this special competition is completely separate from the regular class judging.

One combined class, not divided by sex, will be offered for breeds and varieties of dogs that are at least four months and under six months of age on the day of the competition and divided into groups. All of the puppies of the same breed or variety are exhibited in the same class and the only placements are Best of Breed/Variety (BOB) and Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed/Variety (BOS). Each of the BOB winners advances to the Group Competition and nine group winners (FSS and Miscellaneous Class breeds comprise the two additional groups) advance to Best 4 to 6 Month Beginner Puppy in Show.

Judges of this competition must follow the policy for sweepstakes/futurity judges outlined in the Rules, Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges. "Effective January 1, 2009 Sweepstake/Futurity judges may not exhibit on the day (s) they judge. Sweepstake/Futurity judges will continue to be allowed to exhibit the day before and the day after the event they judge. A multi-day specialty is considered one event, and the restriction will apply for the duration of the event."

Judges will be credited with an enriching component for breeds judged in the 4 to 6 Month Beginner Puppy Competition. Domestic judges who have an AKC Judge number and have been approved to judge any Conformation breeds are eligible to judge this special competition. A judge does not have to be approved for a specific breed or group to judge that breed or group in the 4 to 6 Month Beginner Puppy Competition.