Class Winners Return to the Ring

After all regular classes for dogs have been judged, the first-place (blue ribbon) winner from each class returns to the ring. These dogs now compete against each other for the title of Winners Dog.

For example, if the show had entries in Puppy (9–12), Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-Bred, and Open, the four blue ribbon winners from those classes would return.

The judge examines and gaits all of them again, just as in the class competition. Even though the judge may have seen these dogs before, this is a fresh comparison — the judge is now deciding which of these class winners is the best overall.

No other dogs join this competition. Second, third, and fourth place finishers from the classes do not participate at this stage.