What is a Specialty?

A specialty show is an AKC-approved exhibition dedicated to a single breed and hosted by a breed-specific club such as the GPOESC. The specialty may have both obedience and conformation events.

Puppies from 6 to 18 months of age compete in the Sweepstakes, with classes divided by sex and age (6 to under 9, 9 to under 12, and 12 to under 18 months). Class winners then compete for “Best in Sweepstakes.”

Regular conformation competition starts after the Sweepstakes. Regular conformation consists of male dogs divided by age, then females (bitches) by age. Winners in various classes compete for titles of Winners Dog. Reserve Winners Dog. Winners Bitch and Reserve Winners Bitch.

Then on to Best of Breed. Winners Dog and Winners Bitch take the ring along with the winners of the Veteran Dog and Veteran Bitch classes, as well as any champions who enter. The judge selects Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex and a Best of Winners. Winning OES earn AKC points toward their championships.

Specialty Show Catalog Advertising and Donations

You may also show your support with an ad in the Judging Program. Full page ad $30, Half page ad $15. Your ad must be hi-res jpg or pdf. If you need help with your ad, just email the photo(s) you wish to use along with the text in your email and we would be happy to put together an attractive ad for you. Please email ads or your ad information to: gpoesc@gpoesc.com We will reply receipt of your materials and instructions to mail your payment to the club secretary (we do not publish private addresses on the website). Full page ad size: 4-3/4 x 7.5, Half page ad size: 4-3/4 x 4. Deadline for receipt of your ad materials is 7/1/2010.

Please support your club specialty with a donation to the trophy fund : Sheepherders $25.00 and over, One Of The Flock under $25.00. Please email gpoesc@gpoesc.com for details on sending in your contribution.

Sample ads from the 2009 catalog:

ad samples