The main event at the Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows is conformation, which allows breeders to evaluate their breeding program as well as the dogs for use as future breeding stock. The American Kennel Club has guidelines for the conformation, or shape and proportion, of every recognized breed of dog, called "breed standards." Breed standards cover every aspect of a dog, from the shape of the head to the length of the tail, as well as temperament and how a dog should move. The judges examine the dogs and place them according to how closely each dog compares with the judge's mental image of the perfect dog as described in the breed standard. The judges are looking for characteristics that allow the dog to perform the function for which it was bred. After assessing conformation, judges look to a dog's showmanship, the element that gives a winning dog extra sparkle, as if the dog is saying to the judge, "Here I am, I'm the best there is and I'm going to win!" Small dogs are examined on a table, and short, heavy dogs are often examined on a ramp.

A dog show is a continuous process of elimination; the DKC shows begin with close to 2000 dogs, ending up with just one Best in Show winner. Dogs first compete in their breed or variety. Dogs that have not yet attained their AKC championship are competing for champion points; champion dogs, called "specials," are competing for the best of their breed or variety, so that they may go forward into group competition. Only one dog (male) or bitch (female) may be awarded Best of Breed or Variety in each respective breed.

Each Best of Breed or Variety winner then moves on to compete in its respective group. The American Kennel Club has categorized dog breeds into groups based on what dogs have been bred to do. There are four placements awarded in each group; however, only the group winner will go on to compete for Best in Show. What follows is a brief description of the seven groups, and some of the breeds found in them.

Sporting

The invention of the gun led to the development of the sporting or gun dogs to aid in the hunting of upland game birds or waterfowl, performing at the direction of the hunter. While a number of these breeds perform more than one task, it is generally the duty of pointers and setters to point and mark game, for spaniels to flush game, and for retrievers to recover dead and wounded game. There are 27 breeds and varieties in the Sporting Group, including the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter and Weimaraner.

Hound

Originally classified as sporting dogs because of their function as hunters, breeds in the Hound Group are of a great variety of size, shape and coat. Most of these breeds were developed to hunt somewhat independently for their humans, who usually followed on foot or on horseback as the hounds chased down the prey. This group informally consists of scent hounds, those dogs that hunt by tracking a scent, and sighthounds, who spot their game and run it down. There are 25 breed and varieties in the Hound Group, including the Afghan Hound, Basset Hound, Beagle and Greyhound.

Working

While the uses and appearances of the dogs in the Working Group vary, most are powerfully built and intelligent, performing various tasks for their people. These dogs are working farm and draft animals, they guard homes and livestock, serve heroically as police and military dogs, security dogs, guide and service dogs and hunters. There are 23 breeds and varieties in the Working Group, including the Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Mastiff and Siberian Husky.

Terrier

All but two of the terriers evolved in the British Isles. The geography of the specific area (water, rocky terrain) helped to determine the exact duties of each breed, but usually it involved hunting vermin and varmints ranging from rats to badgers to otters and more. These are dogs of great determination, courage and self-confidence, with a great willingness to go to ground in search of its quarry. There are 27 breeds and varieties in the Terrier Group, including the Dandie Dinmont, Airedale, Bull, Scottish and Fox Terriers.

Toy

Toy dogs have been around for centuries, and are bred for one purpose, to be companions for their humans. Many have been bred down from and still resemble their larger cousins. Their small size and portability make them ideal for city dwellers and those with limited space. There are 22 breeds and varieties in the Toy Group, including the Brussels Griffon, Chihuahua, Pomeranian and Shih Tzu.

Non-Sporting

The AKC originally registered dogs as either Sporting or Non-Sporting. Eventually, hounds and terriers were split from the Sporting Group, and the Toys and Working dogs were split off from Non-Sporting, with the Herding Group eventually splitting from Working. Today, the Non-Sporting Group is literally everything that is left over, resulting in a great variety of sizes, shapes, hair, function and history. There are 18 breeds and varieties in the Non-Sporting Group, including the Boston Terrier, Chow Chow, Lhasa Apso, Poodle, Bulldog and Dalmatian.

Herding

Herding is a natural instinct in dogs that is seen in the wild. Humans have turned that instinct to their use on farms and ranches with herding dogs, who have the sole purpose of moving livestock from one place to another. There are 19 breeds and varieties in the Herding Group, including the Bouvier des Flandres, Rough and Smooth Collie, German Shepherd and Old English Sheepdog.

By winning the "First in Group" competition, that dog joins an elite group of winners of the seven group competitions that go on to compete for the ultimate "Best in Show award, the coveted red, white and blue ribbon. At the Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows, each Best in Show winner earns a trophy, grooming bag, coupons for 225 pounds of dog food and $100. It also receives a point for each dog defeated, in this case 2000 dogs, and these points are accumulated to achieve national ranking.

More important, at an all breed dog show, the majority of dogs are competing for points toward a championship. Champion dogs are much like thoroughbred horses. When they retire from the show ring, champion dogs are more valuable for breeding, to pass on their good genes to future generations.