Every AKC registered breed of dogs has a variance of qualities an
animal of that breed must fall within in order to become an AKC
registered Champion. These qualities are what is known as the
“breed standard”. These standards are set by the dog breed parent
club and approved by its members.
Breed Specialty dog clubs can hold 2 shows per year per AKC. Dogs
entered into these shows compete with others of their breed for points
which go toward achieving the AKC Champion title attached to their
name. When a dog has been judged and met the requirements set
forth by AKC it has the champion title “CH” attached in front of its
registered name.
AKC dog shows are set up with classes for dogs and bitches. Dogs and
bitches do not compete one again the other until a winner of each class
has been determined. Only then do the sexes compete against one another
to determine “Best of Breed”, “Best of Opposite Sex” and “Best of
Winners".
The best of breed winner is then eligible to compete in its group for
"best in group". The Winner of each group then is eligible to compete
for the coveted title of "best in show".
Any AKC registered dog without the title of Champion attach to its name
may or may not meet the breed standards. It is then the duty of
the viewer of such dogs to satisfy themselves that the dog they are
viewing meets the breed standard or not.
In registering litters and individual dogs, AKC makes no guarantee
to anyone of the quality of the breeding, soundness, temperament or
health of such registration. AKC relies almost totally on the
ethics and honesty of breeders who register litters with them. It
is the responsibility of a puppy buyer to be informed and assure
themselves to the quality of their purchases.
AKC has devised a way for anyone to be able to determine the worth and
ability of any particular dog. The way it works is the competition
AKC offers to dog owners. Dogs completing a set of requirements for a
particular title will have that title attached to its registered
name. Any title that precedes a dog’s registered name indicates it
competed against other dogs to achieve that title. Any title which
follows a dog’s registered name indicates the dog met at least a
minimum set of standards set forth by AKC for that title.
As you can now see, having an AKC registration only on a dog does not
attest to its worth or ability which goes also for it offspring.