To the persons who are interested in showing dogs what does the Best of Breed also known in the dog world as BOB mean?
Well, to give you a better insight, there are certain things that you should know. Most well governed countries have instituted organizations that govern dogs breeds. In the case of Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)is responsible for registering pure breed dogs. I should mention that in Canada not to register your pure bred dog is felony. In the United States of America, it is the the American Kennel Club, in Great Britain it is the Kennel Club, in Australia it is the The Australian National Kennel Council and so forth. When you register your dog, your dog is placed into a predetermined classification. Each breed falls into a particular classification where other pure dogs may be. For example The Canadian Club has seven classification or groups as they are called and they are listed as:
Group 1. The Sporting Group - some examples are Barbet, Spaniels, Griffon. Check with the CKC for the complete list.
Group 2. Hounds - some examples are Afghan Hound, Beagle, Borzoi. Check with the CKC for the complete list.
Group 3. Working Group - some examples are Akita, Black Russian Terrier. Check with CKC for complete list.
Group 4. Terriers - some examples are Airedale Terrier, Bull Terrier, Skye Terrier. Check with CKC for complete list.
Group 5. Toys - some examples are Coton de Tutelar, Chihuahua, Pug. Check with CKC for complete list
Group 6. Non-Sporting Dogs - some examples are Tibetan Terrier, Chow Chow. Check with CKC for complete list
Group 7. Herding Dogs - some examples are Border Collie, Puli, Briard. Check with CKC for complete list
Miscellaneous Class are breeds of dogs that are awaiting to be recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Once Registered and assigned a group, your dog will be placed into the category of your breed. So for example if your dog was a Barbet, your dog will be placed in Group 1, and into the Barbet breed. (Using the Canadian Kennel Club Specifications).
If you decide to show your Barbet, you will of course make your entry for confirmation and at the time of competitive showing one dog has to be chosen by the judge as the best of breed. The best of the breed is supposed to be the dog that comes closest to the breed standard in comparison to others dogs of the same breed.
Group 2. Hounds - some examples are Afghan Hound, Beagle, Borzoi. Check with the CKC for the complete list.
Group 3. Working Group - some examples are Akita, Black Russian Terrier. Check with CKC for complete list.
Group 4. Terriers - some examples are Airedale Terrier, Bull Terrier, Skye Terrier. Check with CKC for complete list.
Group 5. Toys - some examples are Coton de Tutelar, Chihuahua, Pug. Check with CKC for complete list
Group 6. Non-Sporting Dogs - some examples are Tibetan Terrier, Chow Chow. Check with CKC for complete list
Group 7. Herding Dogs - some examples are Border Collie, Puli, Briard. Check with CKC for complete list
Miscellaneous Class are breeds of dogs that are awaiting to be recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Once Registered and assigned a group, your dog will be placed into the category of your breed. So for example if your dog was a Barbet, your dog will be placed in Group 1, and into the Barbet breed. (Using the Canadian Kennel Club Specifications).
If you decide to show your Barbet, you will of course make your entry for confirmation and at the time of competitive showing one dog has to be chosen by the judge as the best of breed. The best of the breed is supposed to be the dog that comes closest to the breed standard in comparison to others dogs of the same breed.
Now if your dog is the only dog in the breed, your dog may be given the best of breed after going through the motions of showing. This in my opinion is a flaw in the rules. The question that really has to be asked is how can you give an only dog the best of breed where there is no comparison? In fairness to this situation, a dog being entered does not know how many dogs are being entered.The only way of knowing in advance is when the entry catalogue is sent out or on the day of competition. With that said, it should also noted that some owners deliberately go to shows, knowing that no other dogs in the breed would show up.In these cases where the dog is judged the best of breed with no competition, the dog is not awarded any points.
Once you dog has been given the title of best of breed for that particular event, the dog goes to compete for the best of group which will entail all the best of breeds in that particular group.
A good Canadian website for checking on show confirmation result is Canuck Dogs.com
