Top 20
Top 20 Showcase
The Top 20 Showcase will recognize the breed’s top conformation dogs based on win records from: July 1 to June 30.
Each qualified dog will receive a formal invitation to participate in the Top 20 Event. This invite will be mailed to the primary owner, which is the first-listed owner on the official AKC registration papers. Included with the invitation will be instructions and stated deadlines for acceptance of entry as well as a copy of the Procedure Rules for the Top 20 Event.
When: Friday October 9, 2026
Where: The Grand Ballroom
Time: Spotlight to start at 6pm with live auction to follow
The Fun: Cash bar, raffles, and photo ops
Free to Attend! Sponsorships will be available 🙂
Important!
Points are calculated by AKC statistics by Breed and/or All Breed wins. More details to follow.
PURPOSE
To encourage the showing of Samoyeds in comformation classes and to provide an educational experience for judges, exhibitors and fanciers by offering an exceptional opportunity to evaluate those Samoyeds which by virtue of breed and all-breed competion during the previous year have been deemed to be the best twenty dogs of our breed. This event will provide a special recognition to those Samoyeds with the most outstanding records as well as their breeders, handlers and owners. It will also provide incentive to strive for Samoyeds exceling in structure, intelligence, type and soundness.
Sponsorships
Details coming soon!
Entry Fee
Details coming soon. All Top 20 Entries will Receive a gorgeous rosette head placed lovingly in a shadow box with a photo of their choice. Duplicates will be available to order by owners and/or breeders!
Judging
Judging will happen prior by a panel of 3 Samoyed Breed experts and all Top 20 dogs will be spotlighted during the Gala and results will be announced that night! Each dog will be announced by their name and get 2 minutes to grand stand in the ring!
Live Auction
To follow the Top 20 Showcase!
STATISTICS & ELIGIBILITY
• The only eligibility requirement is being named among the final Top 20 Samoyeds for either breed points or all-breed points in conformation.
• The Top 20 standings are based on show results as published in the AKC Gazette or on the AKC website. The tabulations are collected from shows beginning with the first show in July, 2025 and ending with the last show in June, 2026. Breed points awarded are equal to the number of dogs defeated (including the Best of Breed winner) by winning Best of Breed at an all-breed or specialty show. All-breed points are equal to the number of dogs defeated by winning group placements or BIS at all-breed shows.
• To compete in the Top 20, all owners and co-owners of the finalist must be in good standing with the AKC and the SCA at the time the invitations are extended and at the time of the event.
• In the event of the death of a Top 20 Candidate, the Top 20 Committee reserves the right to include Samoyed #21.
• While Top 20 Winners will always receive recognition, should they win a Top 20 Event, they are not eligible to compete a second time.
• A finalist will only be allowed to compete if the owner or agent attends the briefing held on Thursday for the purpose of assigning armband numbers. Judging will be on Friday before noon and we will do our best to avoid conflicts.