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CONFORMATION WESTIES OF
SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN CLUB
The Michigan Club was formed and recognized by the AKC as a "Conformation" Club. Conformtion is the oldest of the AKC sports. Some call it "the beauty contest" of the formal competitions. But Conformation requires much more than just good looks. The object of Conformation is to determine which purebred animal in the ring most closely conforms to the official breed standards. The standards, set by the AKC, describe these attributes. For example, the ideal West Highland White Terrier must exhibit, among many other things, "no small amount of self esteem".
Westie dogs and bitches compete in clases. The best dog is named "Winner's Dog". The best bitch is named "Winner's Bitch". The winner of those two is named "Best of Winners". The best or most conforming Westie of all is awarded the title "Best of Breed". That winner is often already a Champion. Champions (Specials) do not compete below the Best of Breed level. Other than in a Specialty which is limited to only one breed, the winner of the Best of Breed competition competes against the Best of Breed winners for all the other terrier breeds in the Best of Group competition. That winner then competes against the "Best of Group" winners in the other six groups for "Best of Show".
Points are awarded to the Winner's Dog, Winner's Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Breed dogs and bitches depending on how much competition there was in the breed competition. For example, if two dogs compete for Winner's Dog, the victor gets one point. When a Westie gains a total of 15 points, he or she "finishes" or becomes a "Special" or a Champion. Included in the 15 ponts must be two "majors", trials in which the Westie triumphed over six or more others of the same gender.
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