Any one will tell you the first time attending a dogs show can be confusing, the following information will help you figure out the different classes held at a Conformation Show which is also called the Breed Classes.
One of the best ways to describe a Conformation Show is the process of elimination to derive the best dog on the day. To find a show in your area check out the AKC Events Page at www.AKC.org , for those who want to learn what a dog show is all about, this would be the perfect opportunity to gain some knowledge. To help monitor the program a catalog can be purchased which will identify the dogs and help the observer to follow the judging procedure.
The following regular classes are usually offered at Conformation Shows and are divided by sex:

·Puppy 6-9 Month
·Puppy 9-12 Month
·12-18 Month
·Novice
·Bred-by-Exhibitor
·American-bred
·Open
·Winners

Puppy Classes and 12-18 Class: The first three classes are primarily defined by age requirements. Most puppies, under the age of 12 months, are presented for ring experience, but it is possible to attain points from these classes if a youngster is awarded the Winner's trophy. It is also an honor to win Best Puppy or Best Opposite Puppy.

The Novice Class has certain clearly defined restrictions. Chapter 3, Section 6 of the 'Rules Applying to Dog Shows' published by the AKC states the following: The Novice Class shall be for dogs six months of age and over, whelped in the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, or Bermuda which have not, prior to the date of closing of entries, won three first prizes in the Novice Class, a first prize in Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-bred, or Open Classes, nor one or more points toward their championships.

Chapter 3, Section 7 of the 'Rules Applying to Dog Shows' states that the Bred-by-Exhibitor Class shall be for dogs whelped in the United States of America, or, if individually registered in the American Kennel Club Stud Book, for dogs whelped in Canada, Mexico or Bermuda that are six months of age and over, that are not champions, and that are owned wholly or in part by the person or by the spouse of the person who was the breeder or one of the breeders of record. Dogs entered in this class must be handled in the class by the breeder or one of the breeders of record or by a member of the immediate family of the breeder or one of the breeders of record. For purposes of this section, the members of an immediate family are: husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister.

Section 8, Chapter 3 states that the American-bred Class shall be for all dogs (except champions) six months of age and over, whelped in the United States of America, by reason of a mating which took place in the United States of America.

Section 9 of Chapter 3 states the Open Class shall be for any dog six month of age or over except in a member specialty club show held only for American-bred dogs, in which case the Open Class shall be only for American-bred dogs.

The first two paragraphs of Section 10 state that the Winner's Class shall be divided by sex and each division shall be open only to undefeated dogs of the same sex which have won first prizes in either the Puppy, Twelve-to-Eighteen Month, Novice, Bred-by Exhibitor, American- bred or Open Classes. There shall be no entry fee for competition in the the Winners Class. After the Winners prize has been awarded in one of the sex divisions, the second prize winning dog, if undefeated except by the dog awarded Winners, shall compete with the other eligible dogs for Reserve Winners. No eligible dog may be withheld from competition. The Winner's Dog and Winner's Bitch are then eligible to compete for Best of Breed along with the Champion Dogs and Bitches that are entered. Section 13 explains the Best of Breed Competition.

If the Winners Dog or Winners Bitch is awarded Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed, it shall be automatically awarded Best of Winners; otherwise, the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch shall be judged together for Best of Winners following the judging of Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed. The dog awarded the Best of Winners shall be credited with the number of points calculated for Winners Dog or Winners Bitch, whichever is greater. It also states that after Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed and Best of Winners have been awarded, the judge shall select Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed or Best of Variety of Breed. There is usually judging for Best Puppy and Best Opposite Puppy at a Specialty Show. Unless Non-Regular Classes were held, this would be the sequence of events at a Specialty Show judging Conformation.

At an All-Breed Show the Best of Breed winner goes on to compete in Group Competition. A breed is assigned to one of seven groups based on classification. The designated Group for the German Shepherd Dog is the Herding Group. Here he will compete against other breeds assigned to this group for Best in Group or one of four Group Placements. Should he win the first placement in Group Competition, he would then go on to compete for Best in Show, one of the highest honors a Conformation Dog could attain.