Classes at Championship Conformation Shows in NSW

When showing your Cardigan or Pembroke in New South Wales, your Corgi will compete in Group 5, Working Dogs and in a class based on their age, show experience, or eligibility. Each class is defined by the ANKC rules and applies to all breeds, including Corgis.

👉 Note: Where separate classes are provided for each sex, the class numbers for bitches are followed by the letter “a” (for example, Baby Puppy Dog – Class 1; Baby Puppy Bitch – Class 1a).

Here are the classes you’ll see at NSW shows:

• Class 1  Baby Puppy – for dogs of three and under six months of age
• Class 2  Minor Puppy  – for dogs of six and under nine months of age
• Class 3  Puppy – for dogs of six and under 12 months of age
• Class 4  Junior – for dogs of nine and under 18 months of age
• Class 5  Intermediate – for dogs of 18 months and under 36 months of age
• Class 6  Novice – for dogs six months of age or over which have not won a first prize at any Open Show or Championship Show
• Class 7  Graduate – for dogs six months of age or over which have not won a challenge certificate
• Class 8  Limit – for dogs over 12 months of age which are not champions or have not gained sufficient points to qualify as a champion
• Class 9  State Bred – for dogs six months of age or over whelped (born) in the State in which it is exhibited
• Class 10  Australian Bred – for dogs six months of age or over whelped (born) in Australia
• Class 14  Bred by Exhibitor – for dogs six months of age and over
• Class 11  Open – for dogs six months of age and over
• Class 12  Veteran – for dogs seven years and over
• Class 13  Veteran – for dogs 10 years and over
• Class 21  Champion – for all champions entering an Open Show
• Class 15  Puppy Neuter – for neuter dogs aged six and under 12 months
• Class 16  Junior Neuter – for neuter dogs aged nine and under 18 months
• Class 17  Intermediate Neuter – for neuter dogs aged 18 and under 36 months
• Class 18  Open Neuter – for neuter dogs aged six months or over

Conformation Shows are only open to those dogs who are registered with Dogs Australia on the Main register. 💡 Sometimes shows also run Sweepstakes (special classes), such as Baby Puppy, Veterans, or Neuter Exhibits. These are additional competitions and may vary from show to show.

👉 If you’re unsure, ask the show secretary when entering — they’ll help you select the correct class for your Corgi.

What happens in the ring?

In the show ring, Corgis are judged both gaiting and while standing in a correct “stack” — a balanced four-square position that shows off their structure. Judges also examine the dog by hand, feeling key points of their body to assess soundness and conformation.

Corgis can be shown from as young as three months old. Neutered dogs have their own competition pathway with a separate points system and titles, ensuring they are celebrated alongside entire dogs. The youngest competitors, known as Baby Puppies (under 6 months), can still take part in shows but are not eligible for championship points, so they are judged in their own classes.

Most dog shows run alphabetically, so Cardigans & Pembrokes are among the last breeds of the Working Dog  Group 5, so you’ll usually have some waiting time. Make sure you can hear the steward calling breeds and classes from where you sit, or check in at the ring occasionally to follow the progress. We are after the Swedish Vallhunds and the Shetland Sheepdogs are before that, so once you see the ‘Shelties’ you should move to the marshalling area near the exhibition ring (without blocking the entry/exit for other exhibitors) and be ready for your number to be called. Sometimes a roll call is taken while the previous class is still underway.

While waiting at ringside, observe how the classes are run:

• How the steward lines up the dogs for the judge
• How the judge examines each exhibit
• The movement pattern handlers are asked to follow.

When your number is called, respond clearly with “here” and enter the ring as directed. Exhibitors are called in catalogue order, and anyone who doesn’t answer after three calls will be marked absent and unable to compete — so keep alert and avoid distractions.

As seperate breeds Cardigans are judged separately to Pembrokes, with the Cardigans preceding the Pembrokes.

Once in the ring, always follow the judge’s instructions, and be polite to the steward, judge, and fellow exhibitors. The judge may ask your class to gait once around the ring together before stacking again. When gaiting alongside other exhibitors, leave about two metres between dogs.

When standing, Cardigans and Pembrokes are judged on a table and some show committees even provide a ramp for the dogs to walk up to the examination table. Each dog will be examined from nose to tail for correct structure, coat, and condition. You’ll also be asked to gait your dog individually so the judge can assess their movement.

 If it’s your first time showing, let the steward know. They’ll pass this on to the judge, who will usually allow some extra patience as you learn the ropes.

Challenge Points and Show Awards

At Championship Shows, dogs compete for Challenge Certificates. The top male (Challenge Dog) and top female (Challenge Bitch) in each breed are awarded Challenge points. To earn the title Australian Champion, a dog must accumulate 100 Challenge points. Once achieved, this title stays with the dog for life, and the prefix “Ch.” is added to their registered name.

How Judging Works

Judging order:

1. Dogs (males) are judged first, followed by bitches (females)
2. Winners of each class (except Baby Puppy) are eligible to compete for the Challenge Certificate
3. The runner-up from the same class as the Challenge winner returns to the ring to contest the Reserve Challenge
4. Once both the Challenge Dog and Challenge Bitch have been chosen, they compete against each other for Best of Breed
5. The Reserve Challenge of the same sex as the Best of Breed winner then competes with the opposite sex Challenge winner for Runner-Up Best of Breed

Both Best of Breed and Runner-Up Best of Breed automatically qualify for their respective Class in Breed awards.

From Breed to Group

After breed judging is complete, all Best of Breed winners in a group (for example, the Working Dog Group, which includes Corgis) enter the ring together to compete for Best in Group.

• The Best of Breed winners compete first for Best in Group
• Once the Best in Group is chosen, the Reserve Best of Breed winners return to contest Runner-Up Best in Group.

Best in Group and Runner-Up Best in Group also become automatic winners of their entered classes at group level. Remaining class winners then compete to determine each Class in Group (e.g. Puppy in Group, Junior in Group).

General Specials – Best in Show

The climax of the show is the General Specials ring. Here, the seven Best in Group winners (one from each ANKC group) compete for the ultimate award: Best in Show.

• The dog or bitch awarded Best in Show is then followed by judging for Runner-Up Best in Show, where the runner-up from their group competes with the other Best in Group winners
• Best in Show and Runner-Up Best in Show are automatically awarded their Class in Show titles, while all other classes (e.g. Puppy in Show, Junior in Show) are judged in the same manner as group level.

What to Bring to a Dog Show

Showing your Corgi is much smoother (and far less stressful!) if you’re well prepared. Here’s a handy checklist to help you pack for the day:

• Your Corgi(s) entered in the show
• Exhibit number cards issued for your entries
• Show lead (no longer than 1.8 metres) for each dog
• Grooming kit – brushes, combs, and anything else needed to keep your Corgi looking their best
• Trolley, crate, or pen to safely secure your dogs whenever you’re not with them
• Grooming table (if you use one)
• Food, water, and bowls for your Corgi(s)
• Snacks or meals for yourself (or funds to purchase food at the show)
• Shade or shelter to keep you and your dogs comfortable in all weather
• Chairs for you and your party
• Your current DOGS NSW membership card – digital or hard copy – for every person who may handle your dog in the ring (exceptions apply for children under 12 in some cases).

✨🐾 For full rules and regulations, please see the Dogs Australia website.