An American Dog Breeders Sanctioned Conformation Show is an event in which a dog will be judged by a reputable American Dog Breeders Association Sanctioned Judge according to the Conformation Standards of the American Dog Breeders Association Inc. to indicate a degree of breed excellence.

Conformation shows are held according to the ADBA conformation show rules and points are awarded for dogs placing 1st, 2nd, & 3rd in each class as well as 3 overall trophy awards. These points are accumulative toward an American Dog Breeders Assoc. Conformation Championship.

Conformation Entry form

Judges Books(Club Use only)

The Ring Steward

Conformation Point Breakdown

American Pit Bull Terrier Conformation Standard

American Bully Conformation Standard

Patterdale Terrier Conformation Standard

In the beginning, the formation of the ADBA APBT Heritage Conformation Standard

In 1976, the ADBA was petitioned by the owners of the breed, who possessed a very competitive spirit, to develop a standard on the breed by which conformation dog shows could be held.
They did not want a standard that copied those of the United Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club, but a standard for those dogs that they owned and continued to breed for the traits of intelligence, character, loyalty, and the athletic qualities that the breed was originally bred for hundreds of years ago. Thus, the formation of the ADBA Conformation Standard.

Ralph Greenwood was a visionary in drafting the ADBA Conformation Standard that reflected an athletic American Pit Bull Terrier in his finest form. Many experts in the dogs have said that the ADBA Conformation Standard is the best standard written for any breed. All ADBA Sanctioned Judges study and use the standard as a blueprint when judging conformation shows.

By applying the ADBA standard in judging, we will always have dogs that continue to reflect the athletic conformation of the dogs of days gone by. The true American Pit Bull Terrier.