How to Become a Dog Show Judge

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Gain the required experience. To become an AKC-approved judge, you must have a minimum of 12 years experience showing the breed, have whelped and raised 5 or more litters of pups on your premises, and bred and raised 4 or more champions. The AKC sometimes recognizes additional years of experience in exchange for some of the breeding and showing requirements.
Step 2:
Complete a mandatory pre-application interview with an AKC field representative, and then submit your application to the Judging Office with the nonrefundable fee. The office will review your application and notify you by mail if you must undergo another interview.
Step 3:
Finish your interview. Upon staff approval, your name is published in the AKC "Gazette." Other members then have the opportunity for 30 days to give their opinions of your application.
Step 4:
Take your breed standard exams and return them to be graded. Once the 30-day response period is over and you have passed your exams, you're granted a "Provisional Status," notified by mail and again published in the "Gazette."
Step 5:
Accept and complete 5 judging assignments for each breed, and then request approval from the Judging Office for "Regular Status."

Resources

American Kennel Club's website.

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