Grand Champion Title Concept

 Dear Delegate,

The Grand Champion Title Procedure will be presented at the Delegate Parent Club Committee Meeting, the Delegate Dog Show Rules Committee Meeting, and the All Breed Delegate Committee meeting on Monday, September 14, 2009.  In addition, the concept will be presented at the Delegates’ Forum on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

The Grand Champion title concept 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. It is also consistent with the structure of exhibition at other livestock events. 

This Grand Champion concept proposal parallels and is an extension of the traditional system to earn an AKC Championship title on a dog.  It is simple, similar in format to that used to finish a dog, and, because it focuses exclusively on competition at the breed level, it will add minimal time to the current judging process.

While the “Grand Champion” concept does require a rule change, it would add a new dimension that offers exhibitors enhanced participation for an additional conformation venue to compete in at this time. The “Grand Champion” title bar is set higher, but not out of reach for the average exhibitor to obtain in a reasonable time period. This concept provides the Best of Breed, the Best of Opposite Sex and Select Winners the ability to accumulate “Grand Champion” points.

All Breed, Limited Breed, and Specialty Clubs, Superintendents and AKC will realize additional revenues due to the increase in entries while exhibitors participate with one entry fee for both Best of Breed and “Grand Champion” title competitions. This concept should not only provide revenue increases, but insert new excitement and quality of achievement. The fancy will be able to participate in a new venue with realistic expectations that are obtainable. 

In summary, the Grand Champion Program’s attributes include:

o   Keeping people competing beyond the championship level and recognizing dogs of quality in breed competition

o   An opportunity for additional recognition without having to campaign and advertise heavily

o   Keeping the people coming back to shows to enjoy the sport and people in it and the camaraderie offered

o   Increasing the emphasis of the breed – it highlights breed competition

o   Increasing entries for clubs