Explanation of All-Breed and Specialty

All-Breed

All-breed shows are conformation events that are held for all AKC recognized breeds to compete in, unless otherwise noted on the club's premium list. Also listed under all-breed are the Group Shows, or shows limited to one of the seven AKC Groups - Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-sporting and Herding. Approximately 1500 AKC All-breed conformation point shows are held throughout the United States each year.

Specialty

Specialty shows are events limited to a single breed and are sponsored by a national "parent" specialty club or local "regional" specialty clubs. Some specialty shows may be held in conjunction with an all-breed event and others are independent of all-breed shows. There are about 2,000 independent national and regional specialty point shows held every year.