How a Dog Earns the AKC Champion (CH) Title
CH in front of a dog's name means it finished an AKC championship in the conformation ring. Points come only from beating other non-champions of its breed and sex at shows.
Track Your Progress
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What the CH takes
- 15 championship points
- 2 majors - wins worth 3, 4 or 5 points - under 2 different judges
- Some of the other points under a third judge
Step by step
- Enter a regular class for your breed and sex.
- Win the class, then Winners Dog or Winners Bitch: only these two earn points.
- The points depend on how many dogs competed and where the show is held.
- Best of Winners or Best of Breed over more dogs can raise the count.
The titles around it
CH - Champion (this page)
15 championship points including 2 majors (wins of 3, 4 or 5 points) under 2 different judges, with some of the other points under a third judge.
GCH - Grand Champion
25 grand championship points with 3 majors under 3 different judges, and defeating at least one champion at 3 shows.
GCHB - Grand Champion Bronze
100 grand championship points. Silver (GCHS) is 200, Gold (GCHG) 400 and Platinum (GCHP) 800; every 800 more adds a number (GCHP2).
Requirements from the current AKC regulations. AKC records a title once it processes the results; check your dog's AKC record. Every AKC title, A to Z.
Common questions
How many points can a dog win at one show?
At most 5. Wins of 3, 4 or 5 points are majors, and a champion needs two of them under different judges.
How many dogs make a major?
It depends on the breed, the sex and the state. AKC sets a schedule for every breed in each of 15 divisions every May.
What comes after CH?
The Grand Championship (GCH): 25 more points earned against champions, with 3 majors under 3 judges.