What is the Top Twenty Competition?
The Top Twenty Competition is meant to be a showcase of the top dogs from the previous year. It offers the dogs a chance to enter the ring on equal footing, to be judged on their conformity to the breed standard, not just by one outstanding virtue, and not by their popularity. Entry is by invitation only, and is sent to the top 20 Swissys in breed points, as determined by American Kennel Club statistics from January 1st through December 31st of the previous year.
Purpose
The purpose of the Top Twenty Competition is to showcase excellence in the Swissy breed. It offers all who attend a chance to view the cream of the crop in competitive standings from the previous year. This format of judging allows all eligible dogs to be equal when they step in the ring. By using three judges you will get a more concise and detailed opinion for each dog. This discourages fault judging and puts more emphasis on individual qualities and how closely each dog conforms to the breed standard. The dogs are judged by the sum of all parts, not just by one outstanding virtue. The scoring of the dogs is a strong discipline on the judge. A fault can seem to stand out to a judge and he can become sensitized to one fault or to one virtue. The method of scoring used limits over-faulting or over-emphasizing of specific virtues.
Selection of Judges
Judging is to be done by three judges selected by the Show Committee. The identity of the judging panel will be kept confidential until the event. The three judges are picked as follows:
a. Breeder: An established Swissy breeder who has been breeding at least 10 years and has produced at least 10 champions.
b. Two other judges selected from one or more of the following categories:
*AKC Multi-breed judge: Approved to judge the entire Working group.
*Handler: A professional handler (past or present) who has experience showing Swissys and meets the requirements for membership (though not necessarily a member) in a professional handlers association.
*Foreign Judge: Multi-breed judge (qualified for Swissys) from a foreign country.
How is the competition judged?
The three judge panel will simultaneously judge each entrant using a predetermined system of points enumerating criteria of our breed standard. The dog receiving the highest number of points will be the panel’s winner of the Top Twenty Competition. Points will not be seen or tabulated until the day the winner is announced. An impartial panel will be selected to tabulate scores, and the resulting winner will be announced at the Annual Awards Banquet.
Exclusive Top Twenty Catalog
There will be an exclusive full-color catalog for the Top Twenty Competition. Each dog entered will have a two page spread in the catalog including a pedigree, a picture, owner comments about the dog and title/health information as supplied by the owner/agent of the dog. Each entrant will receive a catalog the night of the event.
The winner receives:
The winner of the Top Twenty Competition will not be announced until the Awards Banquet. The winner receives a trophy, a rosette, and a full page ad in the Awards Issue of the Senntinel.
People’s Choice Award
There will be a ballot provided in the catalog that the audience in attendance can use to cast their vote for their choice of the dogs presented at the show. This award will also be counted and announced at the Awards Banquet.
