Question of the Week

Wayne Cavanaugh

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Too many shows! Increase the distance from 200 miles to 300, cut back on the number of shows so breed entries can get real again. With 109 BOGO breeds (beat one, get one point), something has to be done! Get the local community back to shows; bring families back to their local events to get them interested in our wonderful sport!

Richard F. Sedlack

Middlefield, Ohio

Closing the barn door after the horse has gotten out. You want to boost entries? Get in your time machine and go back and undo the mess this sport has become. When shows were on Saturday and Sunday. When there were two weekends a month, people planned and looked forward to them. When every dog show had around 1,200 entries.

Matches existed because every date wasn't occupied by a dog show. Majors took a lot of dogs, not these four-animal majors we have now. German Shepherd Dogs took 76 dogs and 78 bitches for five points. Look up what a three-point major is now. Not only do we have these huge clusters — which by no means are there to entice the working family to show up with their one or two dogs, and for them it is truly a weekend hobby — we have two dog shows on the same day and sometimes three.

No, Pollyanna, unless you want to make some harsh changes to the whole system, you are stuck with what you got. And all the wishing and hoping and good intentions are for naught.

Laura R. Libner

Grand Rapids, Michigan

I would say one of the best ways to increase entries and help breeders with increasing conformation numbers would be to lower the cost — especially if the individual has multiple dog/bitch entries. Combined with all the other costs, it’s unsustainable to keep showing as much as I did 15 or 20 years ago with everything being so hyper-inflated.  

Allison Sohn

Atlanta, Georgia

I compete in conformation, agility and rally, and in the past I have competed in obedience and herding as well. Entry fees are a large part of why I think people enter what they enter. I can do four or five agility runs with my dog in one day, pay as little as $17 a run, and I can compete from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. with my dog. I pay about $35 for a conformation entry, and I can be in the ring for three minutes and my day is over. 

Another factor that I often hear people complain about is that your performance and sporting events have very clearly outlined rules. If your dog misses a contact in agility, if you walk past a sign in rally without completing it correctly, if your dog lags in heeling in obedience, there is a specific point value you are deducted from your score; at higher levels, you can even be disqualified. In conformation, anything can happen, depending on the judge that day and the quality of the competition entered against you. There are no cut and dry rules in conformation. A dog that goes Best of Breed and gets a group placement one day can be dumped the next. I personally find inspiration in the "any dog on any day can win” idea, but I know for many it is a frustration.

Annette Smith

Delta, Ohio

Allow entries at the show and charge a post-entry fee.

Paula Hogan

Worthington, Massachusetts

I have been an avid handler-breeder for more than 40 years … all dog sports.

Often having more than one entry of the same breed, I will need "someone I trust" to hold dogs, wait, be responsible and want to do it ... outside the ring prior and throughout the classes. Someone I know will be there when I show up at my ring with five Deerhounds, ready to hold, pay attention to the order of classes, change numbers, switch out dogs and possibly handle a dog.

This is no bucket bitch. This job is for the "ring caddy."

I hired a gal all last winter to do just this. She was waiting for us at each event, was super helpful, and was the ONLY reason we were able to enter many dogs and make our own majors with this rare breed.

Others who saw our entries began to travel here to get in on the points!

You could go to the superintendent early that day and request a caddy. This could be a Junior, a person who wants to learn, someone's husband stuck there all day …

Gerry Meisels

Tampa, Florida

Conformation shows have become more and more dominated by professionals. This has increased costs, discouraged the base of amateur exhibitors and led to decreased family participation. But this is where people become interested in showing dogs.

The same thing happened in horses decades ago. I don't think it is reversible.

Reginal Jose

Birmingham, Michigan

Much better quality of judging is required. The results and importance of a dog show are only as good as the knowledge and experience of the judge. Judges need to be judged.

Shorten entry closing to a week or less.

Get rid of online entry fees. We cannot expect the younger generations to understand why they have to pay up to a $4.95 fee to do what they do all day long for free. If we wish to attract younger people, we need to understand their world and adapt to it.

Make a partnership with Future Farmers of America and 4-H to get them involved.

When a club holds an event, the AKC should assign them an event coordinator who will share best practices and help them alert the local media and apply for CO-OP advertising monies.

Use the vendors as an attraction to get spectators to come and perhaps partake.

Prepare a course in dog-show judging. Take it to prominent veterinary schools. Try to get them to add it to their curriculum. Explain the benefits for the student completing the course, which is a good paying weekend job. This will hopefully open the vets up to the benefits of dog shows and purebred dogs.

Have AKC hire a good marketing manager. Identify the target audience and develop a plan.

Contact Subaru and make them the official vehicle of the AKC. In return, all they have to do is run a commercial of a family loading up their Junior handler and Golden Retriever and driving to a dog show. Then the family standing in front of the Subaru with the Golden Retriever and displaying a big blue ribbon.

Nanci Hanover 

Los Angeles, California

Hire judges who understand the standards. People who know what the breed should look like. My list of shows has shrunk because of poor judging. I won't waste the money in this economy. I'd rather go do a fun event.

Matthew Townsend

Mebane, North Carolina

We must address the challenges facing conformation with innovative changes. We all recognize that rising costs, declining entries, and a shrinking number of unique exhibits threaten the long-term survival of conformation as we know it. However, the answer isn’t a simple soundbite. Hard work lies ahead.

Perhaps the largest barrier to real growth is the “zero-sum” mentality that currently makes conformation a high-pressure environment. Success, as perceived by many, is narrowly measured by titles and standings. We need to shift this narrative. Conformation is not just about winning — it’s also about growth. Whether we win or lose, the experience builds confidence, hones our understanding of dogs, and strengthens our breeding decisions. When we foster an environment that celebrates personal growth and community, we will attract a more diverse group of participants and encourage long-term engagement.

We must truly engage the broader community, especially through our local specialty clubs. These clubs are the lifeblood of conformation, offering supportive environments where newcomers can thrive. The AKC — and especially parent clubs — must encourage the formation of more local specialty clubs and promote mentorship programs that help newcomers navigate the sport. Clubs play a crucial role in educating the broader public and recruiting new exhibitors. To see a stronger conformation sport, we must ensure that clubs are invested in the next generation of exhibitors and breeders. 

There is a relatively straightforward fix in addressing the point schedule with modern technology. In a country as vast and diverse as ours, states are not an equal unit of measurement for competition. Some areas have significantly more opportunities for exhibitors, while others — like Texas or North Carolina — require long travel and greater expense to compete. A point system that better reflects the regional concentration of exhibitors and majors could encourage more participation and ensure that competition is based on actual opportunity rather than geography. We could use technology to set a point schedule for each event with a 300-mile radius. Why tie the point schedule to states and divisions in 2026?

Bojangles — a bastion of Southern fried goodness — invites me to treat myself to a Blueberry Bacon Bomb because I am worth it almost daily. We too can leverage modern communication tools to connect with exhibitors and up the engagement. Simple gestures like sending congratulatory messages after a newcomer’s first show or offering educational resources can make a big difference in building a sense of community. The AKC should take inspiration from businesses that build loyalty through direct, personal engagement, like SMS campaigns. These tools can be used for a better cause than clogging my arteries: They can strengthen the conformation community.

Lastly, we must champion the preservation of rare breeds before the opportunity is no longer there. These breeds represent centuries of history and tradition. We must educate the public on their cultural significance. A unified message that emphasizes the value of preservation breeding will help counter the “adopt, don’t shop” narrative and ensure that future generations understand the importance of purebred dogs.

The future of conformation depends on all of us, not just the decision makers in Raleigh and New York. Now is the time to get involved—reach out to your delegate, get active in your clubs, and start making the changes you want to see. Let’s ensure the future of conformation is vibrant and sustainable for generations to come!

Becca Weber

Neenah, Wisconsin

Forty years ago, we entered our first dog — a Doberman — under an ILP number. While waiting for our turn in obedience, we watched the conformation dogs. Back then, most shows offered both obedience and conformation on the same weekend, at the same venue.

AKC’s PAL program led to an increase in entries in performance events, necessitating the separation of the two. Today, it’s rare to see obedience and conformation combined. Owners of PAL entries aren’t being introduced to the world of conformation.

With “Adopt, Don’t Shop” propaganda everywhere, the AKC’s PAL program does not bode well for the future of registered dogs. 

Marlene Keene

Elk Grove, California

Lower entry fees for the Bred-by Exhibitor classes. 

Mareth Kipp

North Prairie, Wisconsin

I’m happy to admit that I have been involved in dog shows for something like 55 years. When I started, entry fees were $5, and clubs had money in the bank. Trophies used to be an important part of a club’s responsibility to their exhibitors. I’m not sure what the actual entry fee is now — somewhere between $40 and who knows. We traveled together to share expenses, and they were reasonable compared to today. AKC fees continue to climb and of course, they are added to the entry fee. Some exhibitors are being more vigilant in entering.

Shows are getting smaller with majors being a thing almost hard to find. I wish that AKC had thought more about giving more and more shows approval, not for just one show but additional added on. Specialty clubs are given eight shows over the course of the year. I think as clubs grow, their treasuries grow, and the club is all about making money. Perhaps there are some clubs out there that could reduce their entry fees considerably.

Think about putting on a show for charity. ALL proceeds to that charity. Ask your judges to donate their fee. I’m sure there are plenty of people judging who would love to be part of the show. You may bring in a whole different group of exhibitors. This gives them a chance to see your venue and decide to attend your next show. 

Look at your treasury: Do you really need ALL that money? It isn’t going to do much good if your show folds due to small entries. Bring back a reasonable entry fee: Your entries will rise, and you still will have money in the bank.

Sherry Rodarmor

San Antonio, Texas

Stop giving EVERYTHING to the PROFESSIONAL HANDLERS!

Kathryn Monroe

Mahtomedi, Minnesota

Start having AKC reps attend those judges’ briefings that are held ringside. Hold JEC committees to representing the standards accurately, not just token, “Oh, yeah, that, too” type comments. 

Next, since showing is now “the sport of dogs” complete with professional handlers, and not a pure evaluation for breeding stock, allow for an altered class in each sex. Breeders would encourage owners of their altered dogs, which would in turn increase the reputation of that dog’s sire, dam and pedigree. The altered stock does not have to be eligible for BOB, though a precedent exists for that in altered Veterans classes.

In Portuguese Water Dogs, there are two allowable cuts — the working retriever clip (one inch all over) and the lion clip (long jacket, shaved rear and muzzle). The standard states that “No discrimination shall be made” between the clips. Unfortunately, as recently as this past weekend, a judge asked a professional handler of a dog in the working retriever clip what it was.
In some parts of the country, weather extremes make a lion clip unfeasible for cold winter months. Some owners (very experienced in the breed) simply prefer its smooth overall lines. I have had owners tell me they would show their lovely dog, but they do not want to put it in the lion clip.

Barb Ewing

Las Vegas New Mexico

Exhibitors, especially new ones, are getting discouraged by judges who only put up handlers and faces. In my breed, it used to be that most of the dogs that were out with handlers were the ones that the owners could not finish themselves. As the average age in the fancy has gone up, many more dogs are out with handlers, so that is not as significant as it once was. But there are a number of owner-handlers in my breed, experienced and newcomers, who have superior dogs to the ones that are out with the pros. It only takes getting dumped a few times to get discouraged with the sport. People say that professionals do a better job of presenting those dogs, but that is not always true. And the judges should be judging the dogs, not the presentation. The vast number of these owners are competent handlers.

I've heard it mentioned that judges like to support the handlers that bring them entries in many breeds, and I don't doubt that is true. But every time a handler gets a win they don't deserve, the fancy will lose newcomers. How is that sustainable?

Jeanne Nonhof

Plymouth, Wisconsin

Simple: Get entry fees down. Many times I have not entered a second or third dog because the entry fee was approaching $40. I don’t find fancy rosettes exciting; it is the win that counts.

Leslie Earl

Davis, California

Fewer conformation shows! It’s all about supply and demand. Plus, as venues and associated costs increase, so do entry fee costs. With fewer conformation shows, exhibitors might have more available money to enter the ones which would be more attractive to them. With fewer available shows, there might be more entries with more points on offer at all levels.

Laura Coomes 

Ocala, Florida

Judges and show chairs need to make sure assignments aren’t too close to their previous one. Who is going back for second place again in less than a month’s time?

Some sites are just bad. Why support that?

I have many reasons, but those two hit home the most.

Sandy Mesmer

Clearwater, Florida

As a group, we are invisible to our ultimate customer base, the puppy-buying public. They see us on TV at Westminster and the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving, but have no idea how to approach us. If we don't have enough access to this pool of the public, how can we convince anyone to show their dog?

More kennels need websites. Facebook is great for people who already know us, but not for introducing us to Mr. and Mrs. Puppy Buyer. The sites can be simple: They don't need fancy bells and whistles, and can be done without specialized knowledge.

Honi Reisman

Baldwin Harbor, New York

As show chair of the Long Island Kennel Club, we have tried everything to grow our entries. We hired well-respected judges, provisional judges, hosted specialties and supported entries, Juniors seminars, My Dog Can Do That, Best Puppy, Best Bred-by Exhibitor, NOHS and a breed showcase; teamed up with another club for three shows, and had reduced entry fees for certain classes. But nothing seemed to work, and entries kept declining. It was very disappointing trying to find a miracle formula. I seriously believe that having three clubs within close proximity competing for the same entries was the major cause. Unlike other clubs that moved out of their territory to Springfield, Massachusetts, we flatly refused to follow. We believe that one of our responsibilities was to make educating the public in our area about purebred dogs. 

Our membership decided not to host a show this year. We will use this time to explore other ways to educate our dog-loving residents and see what the future brings. 

Sue Bauman

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Educate the judges with refresher classes and tests for use of wickets and other skills that can be used judging breeds. Have the AKC reps be more attentive to complaints about judges. Work with the clubs setting entry fees, as some are offering non-regular entry such as Veteran at the same amount of a regular entry. This is insulting to the veteran who has paid their dues in conformation. Have more Best Veteran in Show competitions to boost entries at shows and pay respect to their history in the ring.

Mary Anne Brocious

Milford, Michigan

AKC has to market reliable/honest breeders to the public and enhance the number of dog shows that people can watch on television. AKC should assist financially in these efforts since responsible breeders and most dog clubs do not have the resources. The local clubs should expand their social-media presence and get media coverage for their shows when possible. The message should be that reliable/honest breeders will assist new buyers in the care and showing of their dogs. It will be a slow process. Another opportunity to bring conformation and exhibitors is working with 4-H organizations in a club’s area. A program with your area 4-H could move these dog-loving kids from mixed breeds to purebred dogs, showing them and eventually breeding them. We are aging out. We must encourage the young people to get involved. Suburban or rural, there are young people out there looking for a hobby or interest. We have to reach out and let them know about us.

Julianne McCoy

Pelion, South Carolina 

I believe that AKC needs to push fairness between owner/handlers and professional handlers. The reason for conformation is to show off the best dogs because conformation is all about improving the breed. However, someone with a lot of money can go buy a dog and hire a handler to get a championship on a dog that may not be correct according to that standard. Judges are being pressured to put up handlers, and if you go to the shows and look at the dogs that make it to the group ring, 85 percent are handlers. I have seen judges dump a really correct dog only because it was different from the rest handled by a handler. Judges are supposed to know the standards for the breeds they judge. I am not saying all the judges are doing this, but many are. This discourages owner/handlers from entering their dogs; also, now the shows are getting exceedingly more expensive. It is only about winning.

The fault is not only professional handlers, because we have owner/handlers who try to manipulate decision-making by stewarding for judges they are going to show to or interacting with judges when they volunteer knowing this is against the rules. I am a second-generation owner/handlers/breeder and I love showing what I breed in conformation. When I show to judges who know the standards that have been around for a while and am very pleased when one of my dogs gets a win.

Nancy Russell  

Walsenburg, Colorado

The cluster shows have eliminated the 9-to-5 working family from going to shows. Look around you in the conformation ring, and you see professional handlers, long-time breeders and owners who are retired. 

AKC has made a lot of rules since I started showing in the 1960s. At that time the shows were only on Saturday and Sunday in the summer, and most were at a fairgrounds. There were no fees to enter the grounds, no parking fees, no grooming-space fees. Your only expenses were the entry and gas to get to the show. We had potlucks after judging and then everyone stayed to clap for our breed in the group no matter who the winner was. As a breeder I encouraged my puppy people to come to the shows with their new puppy to socialize him and to learn how much fun it was to be part of the show scene with your dog. 

Today you not only have the entry and travel expenses, but most of the shows require a stay in a motel as they are not local — plus parking fees, grooming fees; no potlucks are allowed, so after the breed judging the exhibitors may go out to eat someplace with a few friends but no one stays for group judging but the breed winner. And who do you see at the BIS judging? The handlers' assistants and the judges waiting for a ride to their hotel.

We talked about this problem of diminishing numbers of conformation entries at my training class. The only suggestion was to have separate shows on Saturday and Sunday for owner-handlers only.