Sanctioned Four-to-Six Month (Beginner Puppy) Competition Regulations

Amended by AKC Board of Directors April 2013

Section 1- Classifications

The Four-to-Six Month Puppy competition shall be for dogs that are four months of age and over but under six months on the day of the event. Classes will be offered for breeds and varieties and divided into Groups as described in Chapter 3, Section 1 of the Rules Applying to Dog Shows and the Miscellaneous Class breeds as listed in Chapter 3, Section 23. The Miscellaneous class competition will be the equivalent of Group competition and the winner will be eligible to compete in Best Four-to-Six Month Puppy in Show. The FSS competition will be the equivalent of Group competition and the winner will be eligible to compete in Best Four-to-Six Month Puppy in Show.

 Section 2 – Entry and Eligibility

Entry and eligibility requirements include:

  • The Four-to-Six Month Puppy event may be offered at licensed or member dog shows at the option of the show giving club.
  • Four-to-Six Month Puppy Competition must be listed in the premium list, entry form and judging schedule, if offered.
  • AKC registration number or an AKC litter number will be required for entries of an AKC recognized breed as listed in Chapter 3, Section 1 of the Rules Applying to Dog Shows.
  • A foreign born dog may enter this class if they are registered in the country of origin.
  • FSS number or FSS registered litter number will be required for Miscellaneous and FSS breed entries.
  • All entrants are to be vaccinated (including rabies) in accordance with their veterinarian’s protocol.
  • Dogs that are owned or co-owned by a professional handler may compete in this class, but must be handled by a non-professional handler. Professional handlers are defined as any person who belongs or has belonged to a professional handlers’ organization, distributed rate cards, or otherwise advertised or represented themselves as handling dogs for pay. Dogs may not be exhibited by current assistants and household members of a professional handler.

 Section 3 – Titles

The Certificate of Merit (CM) title is an introductory title to AKC conformation events. Entrants in each breed shall compete for Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed. Winners of the Best of Breed in each of the individual breeds or varieties will be awarded points toward the CM title based on the number of dogs defeated in their breed or variety. Winners of Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed in each of the individual breeds or varieties will be awarded points toward the CM title based on the number of dogs defeated in their sex. Group winners will be eligible for the highest number of points earned by any breed within that Group. Best Four-to-Six Puppy in Show will be eligible for the highest number of points earned by any breed entered.

The Certificate of Merit requires 15 points awarded in accordance with the following points structure.

Dogs Competing         Points

2                              1

4                              2

8                              3

12                           4

16                           5

 

Section 4 – Ribbons

Ribbons for Groups and Best Four to Six Puppy in Show will be as follows:

  • Best of Breed – Orange
  • Best of Opposite Sex – Lavender
  • Group 1 – Rose
  • Group 2 – Brown
  • Group 2 – Light Green
  • Group 4 – Gray
  • Best Four-to-Six Month Puppy in Show – Pink & Green

It is recommended that all participants receive a token of participation in this event.

 

Section 5– Administration

Sanctioned Four-to-Six Month (Beginner Puppy) Competition Regulations

Amended by AKC Board of Directors April 2013

Four-to-Six Month Puppy competition will be offered in a separate ring(s) from the regular class judging in order to

avoid delays in the judging of regular classes. Classes will not be divided by sex in this competition. Entry fees will be determined by the show-giving club. The show results and event service fee of $2.00 per entry must be submitted to AKC Event Operations within seven (7) days of the event (electronic results submissions are preferred).

Clubs holding Four-to-Six Month Puppy competition will receive credit for completing both a Major Activity as well as an Additional Activity for judges gaining experience on their unapproved breeds by judging at the event.

Dealing with Misconduct will be applicable to any person and dog entered at this competition. All applicable rules found in Rules Applying to Dog Shows will govern the conduct of this competition unless these regulations state otherwise.

 Section 6 – Judging

  • Individuals that have an AKC conformation judge’s number are the required judges for the Four-to-Six Month Puppy competition. Judges assigned regular classes may not judge the Four-to-Six Month Puppy competition if it interferes or delays the judging of regular classes, Groups or Best in Show. The judging conflict requirements of 30 days and 200 mile between assignments will not apply to the Four-to-Six Month Puppy competition. A change in the listed judge due to an overload will not result in a return in the entry fee.
  • Visiting judges are not eligible to judge 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy competition.
  • Judges will be credited with an enriching component for breeds judged in the 4-to-6 Month Puppy competition.
  • Judges of this competition may also exhibit on the day(s) they judge.
  • Exhibitors should open their dog’s mouth for examination. If the judge finds it necessary to open the mouth they should disinfect their hands prior to examining other dogs. Judges will comply with the Rules, Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Judges except the speed of judging may be reduced to 20 dogs an hour.
  • Male puppies without 2 fully descended testicles need not be disqualified or excused but the judge’s book must describe the condition and Certificate of Merit points must be withheld.
  • Dogs with breed standard disqualifications should not be excused but may not receive placements.
  • However, dogs with age related disqualifications such as color (as related to age), height, teeth etc. are permitted to receive awards in the 4-to-6 Month Puppy classes.
  • Dogs must be excused for attacking a person or other dogs.
  • No dog is to be judged if it is brought into the ring bandaged, taped, glued or stitched anywhere including ears or tail. These dogs must be excused from judging but, at the judge’s discretion, may return to be judged after the tape or bandage is removed.