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A show dog is a purebred dog that is displayed at conformation dog shows to determine how well it conforms to established breed standards.

In many cases, show dog is used to distinguish dogs whose appearance is valued above its ability to do a job, or whose ancestors were selected more for appearance than for skills, in comparison to working dogs. Show dogs are supposed to be breeding stock and therefore are entire individuals

Dog shows are hierarchical competitions and winners earn points at each level; these are recorded and added up and eventually a dog may earn enough points to be accorded the title Champion.

Dog shows are held to determine which dogs can relate the most closely to their breed standards. Conformation show participant often believer a dog's conformation is a factor in determining how well that dog may do it's job. In fact, few show dogs are employed for actual work. Critics often point to conformation showing as a leading cause of the decline in the working abilities of dogs.[1]

In the American Kennel Club, a dog attains its Championship after earning fifteen points. Included in the fifteen points must be two "majors." A major occurs when a dog wins 3, 4, or 5 points at one dog show. The amount of points that can possibly be won for a dog depends on how many dogs or bitches need to be entered at the show for that breed and in that region of the country. For example, breeds with small entry numbers (like Pharaoh Hounds) need less points to get a major than breeds with large entry numbers, like Golden Retrievers.

A dog who has earned the Championship title is entitled to use the designation "Champion" (or "Ch") in front of its name, for example, Ch. Emerald's Brightest Sparkle.

Show dogs have a registered name, that is, the name under which they are registered as a purebred with the appropriate kennel club, and a call name, which is how their owners talk to them.

The registered name often refers directly or indirectly to the kennel where the dog was bred; kennel clubs often require that the breeder's kennel prefix form the first part of the dog's registered name. For example, all dogs bred at the Gold Mine Kennels would have names that begin with the words "Gold Mine". The call name can be anything that the dog's owner prefers. For example, Ch. Gold Mine Emerald's Brightest Sparkle might be called “Goldie’, "Sparky", "Bright", "Green", "Precious", "Gem", or, for that matter, "Fido".

By contrast, dogs in the breed registry of a working dog club must usually have simple, no-nonsense monikers deemed to be “working dog names” such as “Pal”, “Blackie” or “Ginger”.

For a complete discussion of naming, refer to registered name.

• Conformation point
• Fault (dog)