Dog Show Points 101: Championship, Grand Championship, Breed, and All-Breed Points

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 
– Have 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 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 (including the other sex) 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 finishes its championship and competes as a champion, it can earn Grand Championship points through Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Select Dog or Select Bitch.

The calculation depends on the award, the eligible dogs competing and the applicable AKC point schedule. Class dogs count toward these calculations too. A placement does not automatically guarantee points.

To earn an AKC Grand Championship, a dog needs:

- 25 Grand Championship points.

- Three major wins under three different judges.

- Some of the remaining points under at least one additional judge, for a minimum of four judges.

- At least one Champion of Record defeated at three shows.

The champion-defeat requirement is separate from the point calculation. A dog can earn GCH points at a show without that show satisfying the requirement to defeat another champion.

After earning the initial Grand Championship, a dog can accumulate points toward Bronze, Silver, Gold and higher levels without additional major-win requirements.

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

Entered counts and competing counts are not always the same. Absentees and dogs that are disqualified, dismissed, excused or have all awards withheld do not count toward point calculations.

Championship and Grand Championship calculations also treat non-regular classes differently. Veterans and other non-regular entries that advance to Best of Breed do not count toward championship points, but they can count toward Grand Championship points. Eligible champions advancing from those classes can also earn GCH points.

However, a champion advancing from a non-regular class does not satisfy another dog’s requirement to defeat a Champion of Record at three shows.

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 continued progress after a championship.
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.