Conformation: Judging Resource Center

• Peruvian Inca Orchid Eligible to Compete in the Hound Group, January 1, 2027
• AKC Educational Requirements Policy and Recommendations

• Judging Approval Process – effective January 1, 2018, amended effective November 12, 2025 
  • FAQ’s on the Judging Approval Process (PDF)
• Rules Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges (PDF)
  • Previous Review & FAQ’s on Conformation Judging Procedures, Policies & Guidelines – Webinars 
• Conformation Judging Guidelines for Non-Resident (Foreign) Judges at AKC Events (PDF)
• AKC Educational Requirements Policy and Recommendations
• Eligibility and Conflicts of Interest
• AKC National Owner-Handled Series Regulations (PDF)
• Sanctioned Four-to-Six Month (Beginner Puppy) Competition Regulations (PDF)
• FSS Open Show Regulations (PDF)
• Judging Disciplinary Guidelines (PDF)
• Clarification – Order of Judging Breeds (PDF)
• Grand Champion Judging Procedure (PDF)
• Grand Champion Explanation for Exhibitors & Judges (PDF)
• Conformation Judging Eligibility and Exhibiting Restrictions (PDF)
• Flowchart for designating AKC NOHS Best of Breed (PDF)
  • January 27, 2021 webinar – Getting a Handle on the AKC National Owner-Handled Series
• Examination of Miscellaneous and FSS breeds (PDF)

• New Breed Application Kit (PDF)
  • New Breed Applicants – Breed Exams
  • New Breed Applicants – ABC’s of Canine Anatomy Course
  • July 23, 2024, webinar on requirements to apply for and be approved as an AKC Conformation Judge
• Additional Breed Application Kit (PDF)
  • June 25, 2020 webinar on Applying for Additional Breeds
  • Verification Forms (PDF): Ringside-Apprentice-Mentor/Tutor-Virtual Tutor
• Junior Showmanship Application Kit (PDF)
• Adjunct Application Kit (PDF)
• FSS Open Show Judge Application Kit (PDF)
• Occupational Eligibility Addendum (PDF)
• Foreign Judge – Contact judgingops@akc.org or 919-816-3593

• Request for Application Beyond Two Groups (PDF)
• Request for Regular Status
• Request for Best In Show (PDF)
• Parent Club Recommendation For Approval Of A Member For Its Breed (PDF)
• Parent Club Request for Non-Approved Individual to Judge a Specialty Show (PDF)
• 2026 Low Entry Breed List (PDF)
• Table-Ramp Breeds List & Clarification (PDF)
• Judges Store (PDF)
• Judges Liability Coverage (PDF)
• Judges Accidental Injury Coverage (PDF)
• Foreign Judges – Upon Completion of breed exams, please notify the Judging Operations Department via phone at 919-816-3593 or email to judgingops@akc.org

• Schedule for Advanced Judging Institutes (PDF)
• Upcoming Seminars

• AKC Canine College (launches in new window)
  • AKC Canine College FAQ’s (PDF)
• Standards, Study Guides, Mentors, Breed Exams
• Measuring and Weighing Dogs – Study Guide (PDF)
• Conducting Oral Exams (PDF)
• Procedural Videos
  • Measuring and Weighing Technique
  • Oral Exams
  • Pekingese Exam (Lift)
  • Spanning The Chest
• Junior Showmanship Guide
• National Specialties and Judges Breed Study Groups (PDF)
• Judges Workshop Groups (PDF)
• Parent Club – Judges Education Coordinators (PDF)
• Judges Education Coordinators Newsletter

The AKC’s Judging Operations Department is a great resource in assisting parent clubs through the process of developing an effective Judge’s breed education program.  Any inquiries or questions, please email judgesed@akc.org  You may also contact, Mr. Gregory McCarthy, AKC Executive Field Representative/Judges Education Liaison, available for advice, direction, and information

As required in the Board-approved Judging Approval Process, seminars and workshops must meet AKC criteria for credit (see criteria located in the reports and guides link below).  Upon completion of seminars and seminars with hands-on workshops the presenter, club or host organization must submit the required forms (see Forms & Guidelines below) to the Judging Operations Department to allow attendees’ records to be updated and credited accordingly. To post seminars to the AKC Seminar page, please use the form provided, located under the Introduction link below.

Institutes, seminars and workshops must be accessible to the American Kennel Club staff including the Executive Field Staff.

Reports and Guides

• • Introduction
  • Forms & Guidelines
  • Mentoring & Tutoring
  • Participation Evaluations
  • Seminar Announcement Form (this form allows you to save onto your computer, complete and submit to Judging Operations)

• Archived Judges Newsletters – From 2016 – 2000