For those new to the world of dog show, the terminology and organization of the events can be confusing.  For example, did you know the term “dog,” actually only refers to the canine male, not the female?  In fact, even those with years of experience under their belts can still get confused at times.  Dog shows started in the 19th century, and much of the terminology from long ago is still used today.  Some of the verbiage also evolved from the idiosyncrasies of this close-knit community, where the endless focus is purebred dogs and how to present them at their best.
 
But fear not!  The American Kennel Club has put together a couple of great resources to help us all navigate this amazing and complex world of dogs:

Resources

 

 

AKC - How to Get Started in Dog Shows:

 

AKC - Conformation Flow Chart from Classes to Best in Show:  (See Graphic Below)