I know roughly how it works - but it would be so much better to have it described by someone who is directly involved. (:o)

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2000

Answers

Well I"m not Pat (although she does live just a few miles from me!), but I can TRY and explain. To be an American CH a shih tzu (or any other breed for that matter) has to win fifteen points with two major wins under two different judges. The classes for shows are 6-9 month old puppy, 9-12 month old puppy (although at some smaller shows the two puppy classes may be combined into one puppy class for puppies 6-12 months old), 12-18 months old, Novice (for any shih tzu who hasnt won a blue ribbon yet), Bred By Exhibitor (for shih tzu being handled by their breeder who must also own or co own the shih tzu), American Bred and Open. Bitches and Dogs compete separately at this point. First through fourth place are awarded in each class. The first place winner of each class will compete for Winners Dog (or Winners Bitch in bitch competition) and Reserve Winners Dog (or Reserve Winners Bitch in bitch competition). The Winners Dog and Winners bitch are the only ones who get CH points. Points can range from 1-5 depending on how many dogs/bitches are in competition (AKC puts out a points schedule each year). This varies from breed to breed and region to region. A win of 3points or more is a major. Then the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch go back into the ring with any CHs entered and compete for Best of Winners (the best out of the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch), Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed. If there is 2pts in dogs and 4 in bitches and the Winners Dog wins Best of Winners he will also get the four points as he technically also beat all the bitches in competition (excluding CHs). If the Winners Dog or Winners Bitch wins Best of Breed, then any CHs they beat will also be counted as dogs defeated which can raise the number of points won. Also, if you have either Winners Dog or Winners Bitch and they win Best of Breed then go on to win a Group I (first in group), and they beat another dog in the group that won more points that day, they will also have their points won raised to that number. Does this make any sense?

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2000

Susan - fantastic explanation! But I am going to take a deep breath and read it all again! I`ve watched shows in the States in a blissful state of blind ignorance - I`m sure they will be even more interesting now!(:o)

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2000

Thanks for the explanation, i belong to another email list and often hear about their dogs winning points and i must admit to being rather confused by it all, after your explanation i will now at least have some idea what they are talking about thanks, Pat.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001