AKC Articles

Beginner Novice Title - Obedience Effective 7/1/10

Beginner Novice (BN) Title coming July 1, 2010
Chapter 6 – Beginner Novice Optional Titling Class
(For the purposes of these regulations, unless otherwise specified, all references to Beginner Novice, Beginner Novice A and/or Beginner Novice B will pertain to both purebred classes and mixed breed classes.)
Section 1. Beginner Novice A Class – The Beginner Novice A class shall be for dogs that have not won the BN title. Judges for this class must be approved to judge novice or higher classes. A handler must own the dog entered, or be a member of the owner’s household or immediate family, and may not have previously handled any dog that has earned any AKC Obedience title. Owners may enter more than one dog in this class. No dog may be entered in both Beginner Novice A and Beginner Novice B at any trial.
Section 2. Beginner Novice B Class. The owner or any other person may handle dogs in this class to earn a BN title. Owners may enter more than one dog in this class.

Section 3. Beginner Novice Exercises and Scores. The exercises and maximum scores in the Beginner Novice classes:
1. Heel on Leash 40 points
2. Figure 8 40 points
3. Sit for Exam 40 points
4. Sit Stay 40 points
5. Recall 40 points
Maximum Total Score 200 points

Section 4. Beginner Novice Title. The letters BN may be added after the name of each dog that has been certified by two different judges to havereceived qualifying scores in Beginner Novice classes at three licensed or member obedience trials. That dog will receive a Beginner Novice dog certificate from the AKC.
Section 5. Beginner Novice Mixed Breed Title. The letters BNM may be added after the name of each dog that has been certified by three different judges to have received qualifying scores in the Beginner Novice Mixed Breed classes at three licensed or member obedience trials. That dog will receive a Beginner Novice Mixed Breed certificate from the AKC.
More information and regulations here.

AKC Grand Champion

On May 12, 2010 the Grand Championship competition will start concurrent with the implementation of the 2010-2011 Schedule of Points. Competition for this new title will be judged concurrently with Best of Breed competition at both all-breed and specialty shows.

Why does AKC offer Grand Champion?
For many owners there is little incentive to continue to exhibit dogs that have completed their championship title. All exhibitors do not have the financial means or desire to extensively campaign a dog in pursuit of top rankings. This title permits quality dogs to be recognized without extensive travel as the Grand Champion title can be earned at all shows with Best of Breed competition.

How does a dog earn the Grand Champion title?
Only Champions are eligible to earn Grand Championship points. (This includes dogs that are “moved up” to Best of Breed competition from completing the requirements for their CH title at a previous show.)
Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Select Dog and Select Bitch are eligible to earn Grand Championship Points. Select Dog and Select Bitch are Champions that were recognized as the top quality of their sex after BOB and BOS have been awarded. Judges need not award Grand Championship points to dogs that in their opinion are not worthy of the award.

Grand Championship points are earned using the same schedule of points as is used for Championship points and the title requires:
Twenty five Grand Champion points including, three “majors” (three or more points) won under three different judges, and at least one or more of these points won under a fourth judge. They must also have defeated at least one other AKC Champion at three shows.

How are Grand Championship points determined?
Grand Championship Points are determined using the schedule of points for each breed in each division. However, all dogs defeated by BOB, BOS, Select Dog or Select Bitch will be counted in the computation. Grand Champion points may be awarded to eligible dogs as follows:
Best of Breed – All dogs of the both sexes in the breed or variety exhibited in the regular classes and Best of Breed competition will be counted.
Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed - All dogs of the same sex in the breed or variety exhibited in the regular classes and Best of Breed competition will be counted.
Select Dog or Select Bitch – One dog less that the number of dogs of the same sex in the breed or variety exhibited in the regular classes and Best of Breed competition will be counted.
Champions of Record including champions that are non-regular class winners or dogs that have been “moved up” to Best of Breed competition for the show are the only dogs eligible for Grand Championship points. Although class dogs can win BOB or BOS, they have not yet obtained their CH title and are not eligible for Grand Champion competition. (Dogs entered in non-regular classes are not counted in the computation of Championship or Grand Championship points.)

How does the Grand Champion competition affect the show-giving club?
Based on the enthusiastic exhibitors’ comments, we anticipate a significant increase in the entry of champions competing for Grand Championship points at both all-breed and specialty shows. The only increased expense will be one additional ribbon if three champions are entered or two additional if four or more AKC champions are entered in Best of Breed competition in that breed or variety. AKC will be sending email to the owners of all dogs that have finished since 1/1/2007 to inform them of this new opportunity to showcase their dogs.

Certificate of Merit

 Beginning January 1, 2010 all dogs that compete in the Miscellaneous Class will be eligible for a Certificate of Merit (CM) suffix title. This is an introductory title that is aimed at encouraging participation in the Miscellaneous Class and will be superseded by the CH title when earned. For a complete description of the title please review the Rules Applying to Dog Shows, Chapter 3, Section 23 Purple Insert.

TThe Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed in each of the individual breeds in the Miscellaneous Class will be eligible for points based on the number of dogs defeated in their breed. To receive the Certificate of Merit a dog must earn a total of 15 points based on the following point structure:

Dogs Competing Points
22 - 1
4 - 2
8 - 3
12 - 4
16 - 5

CM titled Dogs may continue to compete in the Miscellaneous Class so long as they are of an eligible miscellaneous breed.

The next breeds in line for full recognition by AKC are the Icelandic Sheepdog, Cane Corso and Leonberger. The three will be eligible for AKC registration on June 1, 2010 and for competition in the Herding and Working Groups on June 30, 2010.

Televised AKC Events

Airtimes are subject to change. Please check your local listings for most current show times.