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In a previous article, I discussed the Hall of Fame requirements for many breeds. While doing this, the subject of the AKC Grand Champion program came up again and again.

Let me state at the outset that I absolutely applaud the goal of getting more “finished” dogs back into the ring so that others may see them (assuming that the pandemic requirement of no spectators will eventually end) – especially if the owners enjoy showing or having their dogs shown. As I have said so often, our shows should be one way of demonstrating our breeding program and also to allow others determine if your breeding should be included in theirs. They also should be for the dogs and their human partners to enjoy their rapport. 

At the time that the Grand Champion program became part of our judging process, I was an AKC delegate. My biggest concern at that time was the name. I still feel it is the wrong name. To me it seems to elevate the title above that of a champion. Does the title mean that a Grand Champion today is a better breed representative than some dogs in the past that did not have the opportunity to achieve that title? In other countries, a Grand Champion is considerably more than “just” a champion, and the requirements are quite difficult. Do you think that is the case here? Certainly not. 

When the program was introduced to the delegate body, there was some confusion, and I believe that still exists. One AKC board member presented the program as rewarding a quality breed representative that just was not quite good enough to defeat the Best of Breed winner on that day. This board member stated that Select should only be awarded to a quality exhibit. At the opposite end of the spectrum was the statement by another board member who said, “We want to get those champions off the couch and back in the ring to help entries for clubs. So be sure to award those Select dogs and bitches.” 

When the program became part of the judging process, confusion still existed. At the onset, AKC conformation representatives addressed judges before the show to “explain” the program. I was present when one representative said the program was to reward quality animals and that judges certainly had the option of not awarding Select dogs or bitches. I was also present when another rep indicated that Select should be awarded, and implied that there had to be a real good reason if it was not awarded. I do know that in the beginning reps had discussions with judges who chose not to award Select ribbons that day. 

Unfortunately, there are still some truths about this program that are not always positive. I think it is a fact that almost universally – at least in our dog-show universe – the judge automatically awards Select dog and bitch (and hence, Grand Champion points). I’m sorry, but I don’t think this should be automatic any more than awarding points to the best of the least should be automatic. (Yes, I am talking about withholding.) No championship – breed or Grand Championship – points should be automatic just for showing up. I am sure everyone loves their dog – at least I hope so – but that is not what the judge is in the middle of the ring to determine. Has the awarding of Grand Championship points become so automatic that it is meaningless? 

To be honest, I have only withheld Grand Championship points three of four times since the program’s inception in 2009, but I do give as much thought to awarding Select as I do for every other ribbon I hand out. Under what conditions would I withhold awarding Select? When I look at the “champion” in front of me and wonder, “How did that dog/bitch ever finish?” then I would withhold Select.

Certainly, judges are authorized – and should be required – to judicially consider the dogs in the ring before awarding Select. According to the American Kennel Club, The Grand Champion title was developed and approved by the Delegate Body at the December 2009 meeting. This new title is an effort to provide our exhibitors with an additional venue to participate in with dogs that have obtained their Championships while assisting AKC Clubs with increasing their entries. It will continue exhibitor participation and camaraderie in our sport while emphasizing breed judging by recognizing quality and breed type. The development of a “Grand Champion” concept is consistent with the ongoing objective to encourage the exhibition and, ultimately, the breeding and registration of purebred dogs. 

This program has been in existence now for more than 12 years and there are still occasions of confusion. I have seen instances – usually at specialties – where a judge will award Select to the Winners Dog or Winners Bitch because the judge considers them to be of significant quality. It is great that the Winners are very good, but they do not qualify for Grand Champion points. Remember that part of the program states this is for dogs that have obtained their Championships, so Winners does not qualify on that date (even if they finished at that show).  I would hope that at a specialty show there would be another champion of record who would qualify for the Select ribbon.   

Sometimes I think we forget that when a judge awards the Select ribbons, he is actually awarding points – Grand Champion points. So, then, what is the ideal situation for awarding Grand Champion points? We know that every judging decision involves a trade-off of positives and negatives, so when the decision between two champions of record is close, the dog that is not awarded Best of Breed should be the Select winner. Often, it is not that close, so then the judge needs to consider what each champion – other than the Breed winner – has to offer as a breed representative. It is essentially the same as deciding between Winners and Reserve. But under no condition should Select be awarded just because there is a ribbon available. 

Then AKC decided to go even further by adding precious metal levels to Grand Championship status. How is a Gold Grand Champion “better” than a Silver? Is Platinum really that much better, or was this dog simply shown more times? If a dog lives in an area of limited quality for that particular breed and shows against this same competition again and again, consistently winning Select Dog, is it better than a dog who competes in a more competitive area or breed? One could become a Grand Champion while the other may “only” become Silver. And, by the way, what does any of this have to do with improving breeding programs? 

Judges might consider if the Best of Breed winner were not there, would your Select Dog or Bitch be the breed winner? But then again, is a judge happy with all his or her Best of Breed winners that day? Don’t get me started on that! 

What do you think?