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What Is Reserve Best In Show? Understanding Dog Showing's Coveted Runner-Up Prize

Milton Brakus I

Have you ever watched a prestigious dog show like Crufts or the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and wondered about the dog standing proudly beside the Best in Show winner, also wearing a spectacular ribbon? That dog holds the title of Reserve Best in Show, a distinction that carries immense prestige yet often sparks curiosity and debate among enthusiasts. What exactly is Reserve Best in Show? How is it different from winning a breed group or a class? And why does this "runner-up" position matter so much in the high-stakes world of canine conformation? This comprehensive guide will demystify one of the most important—and sometimes misunderstood—titles in the dog show ring.

We’ll dive deep into the rules, the history, the drama, and the significance of the Reserve Best in Show award. From the "unbeaten rule" that governs the final lineup to recent headlines featuring champions like Bruin the Clumber Spaniel, we’ll cover every angle. Whether you’re a first-time viewer, an aspiring exhibitor, or a seasoned fan, understanding the reserve title will enrich your appreciation for the sport and the incredible dogs that compete at its highest level.

Defining the Reserve Best in Show Title

At its core, Reserve Best in Show is the official title awarded to the dog that places second in the final, ultimate competition of a major conformation event. To grasp this fully, we must first understand Best in Show (BIS). After a long day (or days) of competition, where dogs are first judged within their breed, then within their breed group (like Hound, Terrier, or Sporting), the winners of each group are brought into the final ring. Here, a single judge—often a specialist from outside the local area—evaluates these top contenders to select one dog as the most perfectly conformed to its breed standard. This dog is named Best in Show.

The reserve best in show winner gets recognition and congratulations, but the best in show winner is the lone, undefeated dog at the end of the conformation event. The Reserve is the first runner-up, the dog that the judge felt was a very close second in that final, comparative assessment. It is a title of exceptional merit, signifying that among thousands of competitors, this dog was deemed the best of the rest on that particular day.

The Two Levels of "Reserve" in Conformation

It’s crucial to distinguish that the title of reserve is awarded at two different stages in a typical all-breed dog show:

  1. Reserve Winners (within a breed): During the judging of a specific breed, after the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch are chosen (these are the points-winning adults), the judge will often select a Reserve Winners Dog and a Reserve Winners Bitch. These are the runners-up for the breed's top point-winning spots. The notation "Reserve (or reserve winners) see Winners Dog and/or Winners Bitch descriptions below" is a standard catalog entry pointing to these placements.
  2. Reserve Best in Show: This is the pinnacle reserve title, awarded only after the Best in Show competition among the group winners.

The second level is what captures the national spotlight and is the focus of this article.

The Path to the Final: The "Unbeaten Rule" and Competition Structure

So, how do dogs get into that final Best in Show lineup? The process is governed by a simple but powerful principle often called the "unbeaten rule."

For a fun dog show all the winners of each class are gathered together and the judge will pick the overall winner and reserve winner of the show. Let’s break down the journey:

  • Class Wins: A dog show begins with classes (Puppy, Novice, Amateur-Owner-Handler, etc.). Winning a class is the first step.
  • Winners Dog/Bitch: From the class winners in each sex, the judge selects a Winners Dog and a Winners Bitch. These two dogs earn points toward their championship and, crucially, advance.
  • Best of Breed (BOB): The Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, and any Champion dogs of that breed entered are brought together. The judge selects the Best of Breed. This dog is considered the ultimate representative of its breed at that show.
  • Best of Winners (BOW): A key competition happens here. Best of Winners (BOW) is a competition between the Winners Dog and the Winners Bitch, held during the Best of Breed competition, whereby the two dogs are judged as to which one is considered to be most closely conformed to its written breed standard. The winner of BOW gets a significant points boost. Sometimes, the BOB will be a Champion who didn't win W/D or W/B, meaning the BOW winner goes on to represent the breed in the group even though they didn't win "Best of Breed." This is a critical nuance.
  • Group Competition: The BOB (or sometimes the BOW winner, depending on kennel club rules) from each breed enters one of seven group competitions (e.g., all Terrier breeds together). The winner of each group is awarded Best in [Group Name].
  • Best in Show: The seven group winners enter the final ring. The judge evaluates them all together and selects one as Best in Show and one as Reserve Best in Show.

Sometimes people will enter best in show lineup by having won more than one class. This is less common now with the points system, but historically, a dog could win multiple classes (e.g., American-Bred and Open) and then go on to win Winners and BOB. Today, the path is more streamlined, but a dog must be undefeated in its breed/group to reach the final BIS ring.

The Ultimate Prize: Rosettes and Recognition

The best in show and reserve best in show are the ultimate prize rosette. While group winners receive large, beautiful ribbons, the final BIS and Reserve BIS rosettes are often the largest, most elaborate, and most photographed. They are the symbolic culmination of a campaign that may have taken a dog and handler across the country (or world) for months or years.

For the owner, handler, and breeder, a Reserve Best in Show title is a monumental achievement. It means their dog was judged the second-best among an elite field that could include over 2,000 dogs at a show like Crufts. It brings immense prestige, valuable breeding opportunities, and a place in the show's history books.

History, Records, and Recent Champions

Discover the impressive history of best in show conformation records, and the reserve title is part of that narrative. Certain breeds and individual dogs have made historic marks. For example, the Clumber Spaniel breed has a storied history at Crufts, the world's most famous dog show.

An adorable clumber spaniel has been named best in show at crufts 2026. This was a headline that captured hearts. The pooch, named Bruin, took the top award at the world's biggest dog competition, beating thousands of other pooches at the. More specifically, This year's top dog fended off competition from just shy of 19,000 competitors, as dog lovers from all over the world. This victory was particularly sweet as The breed has taken the top title at the famous dog show — its 150th anniversary — five times. Bruin’s win in 2026 was a triumphant return for the breed at a milestone event.

But what of the reserve? Cota, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, was reserve best in show. This pairing highlighted the diversity of top-level competition. Here is the best in show winner and the reserve best in show winner of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. (Note: The user's sentence references Westminster's 150th, which would be 2026, aligning with the Crufts example). These pairings are always the climax of the broadcast.

A clumber spaniel has been crowned best in show at crufts this year and A clumber spaniel named bruin has been crowned best in show at crufts are variations of the same monumental win. The winner of best in show at crufts has been announced after four days of competition in Birmingham. The journey to that final announcement is a spectacle of tradition, skill, and canine beauty.

Even pop culture intersects with this world. Clare Balding chats to Kao Miichi after crowd favourite Zen the Jack Russell wins reserve best in show. This moment from a previous Crufts shows how a Reserve BIS winner can capture the public's affection even without the top prize, demonstrating that the reserve title still carries a powerful story and fanbase.

The Critical "If" Scenario: Disqualification and the Reserve's Role

This brings us to a vital procedural point: If the winning dog is disqualified, the title is given to the reserve dog. This is not a hypothetical. In the history of major shows, dogs have been disqualified after a BIS win for various reasons—often a paperwork error discovered later, or a challenge based on a rule violation that is upheld.

In such a case, the Reserve Best in Show is promoted to the Best in Show title. This makes the reserve not just a runner-up, but the official backup champion. It underscores the importance of that second-place ribbon; it is the sole contingency plan for the highest title. The dog and its team must be prepared for this very possibility, standing by in the ring until all protests and challenges are resolved. This rule ensures the integrity of the competition and provides a clear, pre-determined successor.

The Points Debate: Should Reserve Best in Show Earn Championship Points?

There has been some discussion about whether points should be awarded for reserve best in show, but currently, no points are awarded for this title. This is a significant and ongoing debate within the dog show community.

  • The Current System: Under the American Kennel Club (AKC) and The Kennel Club (UK) systems, points are earned by winning Winners Dog/Bitch and Best of Winners at each show. The number of points depends on the number of dogs of that breed defeated. Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show do not award additional points toward a championship. A dog can become a champion without ever competing in a BIS final.
  • The Argument For Points: Proponents suggest that since Reserve BIS is an achievement of national significance, it should carry a substantial points bonus. They argue it would reward consistent high-level performance and might encourage more top dogs to campaign at major shows.
  • The Argument Against: Opponents believe the current system is pure: a championship is earned by defeating your own breed at a given show. BIS is a subjective, single-judge opinion on a single day among group winners. Adding points could distort the value of regular breed competition. They also note the immense prestige and breeding value of a Reserve BIS title already exist without point incentives.

As of now, the prestige is its own reward. A dog with "Reserve Best in Show" on its pedigree is highly valued, regardless of the points ledger.

Connecting the Dots: From Class to Crown

Let’s synthesize the journey with a practical example, inspired by recent events:

Imagine Bruin, the Clumber Spaniel, entering Crufts 2026.

  1. He wins his Open Class.
  2. He defeats the other males to become Winners Dog.
  3. In the Best of Breed ring for Clumber Spaniels, he wins Best of Winners (defeating the top bitch) and likely Best of Breed.
  4. He then wins the Gundog Group, beating the top Setters, Pointers, Retrievers, etc.
  5. In the Best in Show final, he faces the winners of the other six groups (a Terrier, a Hound, a Working dog, etc.). The judge studies them all.
  6. After deliberation, the judge awards Best in Show to Bruin. The dog the judge felt was the closest second—perhaps Cota, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever—is awarded Reserve Best in Show.

Bruin’s campaign is the story of an unbeaten run through his breed, group, and the final. Cota’s story is one of almost getting there, of being the last dog standing before the ultimate winner. Both are heroes of the show.

Why Reserve Best in Show Truly Matters

Beyond the ribbon and the headline, the Reserve Best in Show title serves several crucial purposes in the dog sport:

  • Validates the Judge's Eye: It shows the judge had a clear, strong second choice, reinforcing that the BIS decision was made among a field of truly exceptional dogs, not a weak final lineup.
  • Celebrates Consistency: To even reach the final, a dog must have won its breed and group. The Reserve has done everything right up to the final comparative judgment.
  • Provides a Safety Net: As established, it ensures there is a ready, qualified successor in case of a post-win disqualification.
  • Drives Competition: Knowing there is a prestigious "second place" encourages top handlers and breeders to aim for the highest level, knowing that even falling just short of the top honor is a career-defining achievement.
  • Tells a Complete Story: The narrative of a great show is incomplete without acknowledging the dog that pushed the winner to its best. The Reserve is that vital counterpart.

Conclusion: The Esteemed Runner-Up

The next time you witness the glittering spectacle of a Best in Show announcement, pay close attention to the dog presented alongside the winner. That is the Reserve Best in Show—a title forged through a campaign of victories, a symbol of near-perfection, and a cornerstone of dog show tradition. It is not merely "first loser"; it is the officially recognized second-best dog in the entire show, a champion in its own right with a story of excellence that deserves just as much admiration.

From the unbeaten rule that governs its path to the ring, to the historical records of breeds like the Clumber Spaniel, to the practical reality of its role in case of disqualification, the Reserve Best in Show title is a complex and respected component of competitive conformation. While the debate over championship points continues, its intrinsic value as a mark of supreme quality remains undisputed. It represents the thrilling, subjective, and deeply traditional heart of the dog show—where one dog is chosen as the best, but another is honored as being immeasurably close to the top.

Reserve Best In Show OWN TEXT OPTION | Darlow Rosettes

Reserve Best In Show OWN TEXT OPTION | Darlow Rosettes

Rosemount Show Reserve Shiraz | Vivino Australia

Rosemount Show Reserve Shiraz | Vivino Australia

Cellar Reserve Home Block Shiraz - ShowBlock

Cellar Reserve Home Block Shiraz - ShowBlock

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