The basic purpose of dog shows is to facilitate the evaluation of breeding stock for use in producing the next generations. About the A.K.C. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog show (established in 1876), is America's second longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby. American Kennel Club (AKC), national organization in the United States devoted to the advancement and welfare of pure-bred dogs. It is comprised of approximately 500 autonomous clubs. A delegate represents each club in the AKC's legislative body, which votes on the rules and regulations that govern dog shows and obedience and field trials. The AKC keeps a registry of recognized breeds (it registered over 900,000 dogs in 2003), and records the ancestry of registered pure-bred dogs in its stud book. It also provides educational materials for dog owners and sponsors rescue groups for each breed. Best in Show Best Of Group Best of Breed There are 7 A.K.C. recognized groups: Non-Sporting Sporting Herding Hound Working Toy Terrier There are, as of October 2004, 157 breeds recognized by the A.K.C. and 51 rare breeds that can be registered in its Foundation Stock Service (F.S.S.). There are also 4 breeds currently that have advanced from F.S.S. status, but are not yet fully recognized.

Herding Group German Shepherd Dog Border Collie Puli Bouvier des Flandres

Herding Group Collie (Rough)Collie (Smooth) Shetland Sheepdog Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Herding Group Old English Sheepdog Briard Australian SheepdogAustralian Cattle Dog

Working Group Great Pyrenees Alaskan Malamute Samoyed Siberian Husky

Working Group Newfoundland Doberman Pinscher Rottweiler Saint Bernard

Working Group Komondor Akita Great Dane Mastiff

Terrier Group Airdale West Highland White Terrier Kerry Blue Terrier American Staffordshire Terrier

Terrier Group Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Parson Russell Terrier Jack Russell Terrier Smooth Fox Terrier Wire Fox Terrier

Terrier Group Bull Terrier Miniature Schnauzer Scottish Terrier Bedlington Terrier

Toy Group Pekingese Chinese Crested Yorkshire Terrier Silky Terrier

Toy Group Chihuahua Miniature PinscherPomeranian Toy Fox Terrier

Toy Group Pug Italian Greyhound Papillion Shih-tzu

Non-Sporting Group Dalmatian Chow Poodle (Standard) Shiba Inu

Non-Sporting Group Bichon Frise Shar Pei Boston Terrier Lhasa Apso

Hound Group Saluki Afghan Irish Wolfhound Borzoi

Hound Group Greyhound Dachshund Whippet Beagle

Hound Group Bloodhound Basset Hound Basenji Rhodesian Ridgeback

Sporting Group Pointer German Wire Haired Pointer Irish Setter Gordon Setter

Sporting Group English Setter Weimaraner Vizsla Flat Coat Retriever

Sporting Group Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever Chesapeake Bay Retriever Curly Coated Retriever

Sporting Group Clumber SpanielEnglish Springer Spaniel English Cocker Spaniel American Cocker Spaniel