How to Earn an ABBA Champion and Grand Champion Title
Earning an ABBA Champion or Grand Champion title requires a dog to accumulate points by competing in official ABBA-sanctioned shows. Titles are awarded based on performance in specific age categories, and points do not carry over as a dog ages.
How to Earn a Champion Title
To achieve Champion status, a dog must earn 15 points in its respective age category.
How to Earn a Grand Champion Title
To achieve Grand Champion status, a dog must accumulate 50 points across official competitions.
Special Grand Champion Titles
- Winning “Grand Champion Overall” at the ABBA National Championships automatically grants the Grand Champion title, regardless of points earned.
- Winning “Grand Champion Overall” at a regional or club show awards additional points toward the Grand Champion title but does not automatically grant the title.
Age Categories for Competition
Dogs compete for points within the following age groups:
- PUPPY
- JUNIOR
- ADULT
- SENIOR
📌 Only ADULT and SENIOR Champion/Grand Champion titles will be officially recorded on an ABBA registration.
How Points Are Awarded
Points are based on placement and the number of competitors in the class:
| Placement | Base Points | Additional Points per Dog Below |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | 5 points | +4 points for each dog below |
| 2nd Place | 4 points | +3 points for each dog below |
| 3rd Place | 3 points | +2 points for each dog below |
| 4th Place | 2 points | +1 point for each dog below |
| No Placement | 1 point | (For participation; does not indicate poor quality) |
| Disqualified | 0 points | (Dogs with excessive faults compared to the breed standard) |
Additional Title Points
Additional points are awarded for top placements in a show:
- Champion of Show – 5 points
- Reserve Champion – 4 points
- Grand Champion Overall – 5 points
Final Notes
- Consistency in performance is key—dogs must compete in multiple shows to accumulate enough points for their titles.
- Dogs must meet the breed standard—if a judge finds excessive faults, a dog may be disqualified with no points.
- Winning Best Overall at Nationals is the fastest way to earn a Grand Champion title.
By competing regularly and performing well, your Alapaha can rise to Champion and Grand Champion status in the ABBA registry! 🏆
