One of the most confusing parts of getting started in dog shows is realizing that not all “points” mean the same thing.
You may hear people talk about championship points, grand champion points, breed points, or all-breed rankings, sometimes in the same conversation. For new exhibitors, it can sound like several different scoring systems happening at once.
Even experienced exhibitors occasionally lose track of points or need to double-check results. The system reflects decades of tradition, and while it becomes familiar over time, it can still feel confusing without context.
In reality, these points serve different purposes. Some are used to earn titles, while others are used to measure rankings and standings over time. Understanding the difference helps make sense of how progress in the sport is measured.
ShowPoints is a mobile app built to help exhibitors estimate championship points, find AKC conformation shows, and plan smarter weekends. Download below to simplify the process.
Championship Points (CH Points)
Championship points are the first type of points most exhibitors encounter. These points count toward earning an AKC Championship title.
Championship points are earned when a dog wins Winners Dog or Winners Bitch and defeats other class dogs of the same sex within the breed. A dog must first win Winners Dog or Winners Bitch to earn championship points. The number of dogs entered determines how many points are available, which is why larger entries often result in higher point values.
To earn a championship, a dog must:
– Earn a total of 15 points
– Win at least two major wins…
– Earn points under multiple judges
A major is a win worth three, four, or five points and reflects defeating a larger entry of dogs. Major wins exist to ensure a dog has faced meaningful competition on the way to its championship.
In some cases, if a class dog or bitch wins Winners and then goes on to Best of Breed, it may earn points based on all dogs defeated in the breed, including the other sex, even if there were not enough dogs of its own sex to earn points on its own.
In some cases, if a class dog wins Winners, then goes on to win Best of Breed and places in the Group, the points for that day may be recalculated based on the highest point value of any breed in that Group that had Winners points available, which in some cases may result in a major.
Recent rule updates have expanded this further. A Winners dog that goes on to earn a Group placement, Reserve Best in Show, or Best in Show may have its championship points recalculated at the highest point rating of any eligible breed entry in the show (or Group, as applicable). These points are not awarded in addition to the breed win, but instead replace the original points earned that day.
In some situations, Reserve Winners Dog or Reserve Winners Bitch may also earn championship points at certain specialty shows. This typically occurs when the entry is large enough to support a major under the AKC point schedule. Because point requirements vary by breed and region, exhibitors should refer to the premium list for that specific show to confirm whether Reserve Winners points will be awarded.
For many exhibitors, finishing a championship is the first major milestone.
Grand Champion Points (GCH Points)
Once a dog becomes a champion, it moves into Best of Breed competition and begins earning Grand Champion points.
Grand Champion points are earned based on the number of eligible dogs defeated in Best of Breed competition. Awards such as Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, and Select Dog or Select Bitch may earn points depending on the competition defeated that day. In practice, this means points come from defeating other champions, not class dogs.
A Select placement does not automatically earn Grand Champion points. Points are only awarded when enough eligible competition is defeated.
It is also important to understand that winning Best of Breed does not automatically mean points are earned. A dog may win Best of Breed and still earn no Grand Champion points if there is not enough eligible competition entered.
To earn a Grand Champion title, a dog must earn 25 Grand Champion points, including three major wins (3–5 points each) under at least three different judges.
These points count toward Grand Champion titles and higher levels such as Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Higher levels such as Bronze, Silver, and Gold are based on additional points only and do not require additional major wins. While championship points measure a dog’s success in becoming a champion, grand champion points reflect continued success against other finished dogs.
Owner-Handled Points and Rankings (NOHS)
In addition to regular breed and all-breed rankings, many exhibitors also participate in the National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS).
The Owner-Handled Series is a separate competition designed to recognize dogs handled by their owners rather than professional handlers. Dogs compete in regular breed judging first, and those eligible then compete again within the owner-handled competition at the breed, group, and Best in Show levels.
Owner-handled points do not count toward championship or grand championship titles. Instead, they contribute to NOHS rankings throughout the year.
These rankings are used by the AKC to invite top-ranked owner-handled dogs to compete in the National Owner-Handled Series Finals, held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship each December.
For many exhibitors, owner-handled rankings provide an additional way to measure progress and recognize success within a field of fellow owner-handlers.
Breed Points and Breed Rankings
Breed points are used for rankings rather than titles.
These points reflect how many dogs of the same breed a dog defeats at shows throughout the year. Breed rankings compare dogs only within their own breed and are based strictly on breed-level competition.
Breed points also contribute to all-breed rankings, but wins at the group or Best in Show level do not count toward breed rankings.
For example, a dog ranked in the Top 10 of its breed has consistently defeated other dogs of that same breed across multiple shows, regardless of how it may perform at the Group or Best in Show level.
Breed rankings help provide context within a breed, especially in breeds with large entries or active competition.
Variety Changes and Carry-Over Points
In breeds that have multiple varieties, a dog’s championship or Grand Champion points stay with the dog even if it later competes in a different variety within the same breed. Because rankings are tied to the dog rather than the variety in which the points were originally earned, a dog may appear in the rankings for a variety where some of those points were actually earned while competing in another variety earlier in its career. This can sometimes create confusion when exhibitors review rankings.
All-Breed Points and All-Breed Rankings
All-breed points expand beyond a single breed. These points reflect how many dogs a dog defeats across all breeds at a show.
In practice, most all-breed points are earned when a dog wins or places in the group or advances to Best in Show competition, since those wins involve defeating dogs from many different breeds. Those results contribute to all-breed rankings and standings.
It is important to understand that all-breed points do not affect championship or grand championship titles. They exist only for rankings and recognition.
Breed and all-breed rankings are published by several organizations, including the AKC and industry publications such as The Canine Chronicle and Dog News, using official show results.
A Note About Eligible Competition
Not every dog entered at a show counts toward championship or grand championship points. Points are based only on eligible dogs defeated in regular competition.
For example, dogs entered only in non-regular classes, such as Veterans, do not count toward points unless they are also entered in regular competition and eligible to be defeated.
This is one reason entry numbers and point values do not always match what spectators see ringside.
Why There Are Different Types of Points
Dog shows measure progress in different ways. Titles recognize achievement, while rankings reflect performance over time compared with other dogs.
Championship points measure progress toward a dog’s championship title.
Grand Champion points measure success against other champions.
Breed points track how many dogs of the same breed a dog defeats.
All-breed points reflect how a dog performs against dogs across all breeds.
Understanding which system is being discussed removes much of the confusion new exhibitors experience early on.
For those who want to review the official rules, you can find the AKC Regulations Applying to Dog Shows here: http://images.akc.org/pdf/rulebooks/RREGS3.pdf
A Final Thought
At first, points can feel like the entire focus of dog shows. Over time, most exhibitors realize they are simply a way of measuring progress along the way. Different weekends bring different competition, different judges, and different results.
The titles and rankings matter, but the real learning happens in the process of improving a dog and becoming more comfortable in the rhythm of the sport.
That’s exactly why ShowPoints exists. It helps exhibitors understand their progress and stay organized in one place.