Winners of the Best of Breed in each of the individual Miscellaneous breeds will be awarded points towards the Certificate of Merit (CM) title based on the total number of dogs competing. Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed in each of the individual Miscellaneous breeds will be awarded points towards the Certificate of Merit (CM) title based on the total number of dogs of its sex in competition. The winner of the Best in Miscellaneous Class will be awarded points towards a Certificate of Merit based upon the total number of dogs that competed in all of the Miscellaneous Class breeds.
Upon completion of the CM title, a dog may continue to compete in the Miscellaneous Class so long as they are of an eligible breed.
The CM suffix title is an introductory title to AKC conformation events and will be superseded by the CH title when earned. The Certificate of Merit requires 15 points awarded in accordance with the following point structure:
Dogs Competing   Points
2 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1
4 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2
8 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3
12 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4
16 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 5
This document has been created for you by the American Kennel Club to help you understand the point schedule and how Certificate of Merit points are counted.
The American Kennel Club requires a dog to obtain a total of 15 points to earn a certificate of merit.
You will see how to figure the points when your dog or bitch wins Best of Breed, Best of Opposite, Best in FSS or Miscellaneous or Best in Open Show.
Best of Breed – BOB
Best of Opposite Sex – BOS Best in Miscellaneous – BIMISC Best is Open Show – BIOS
In the show catalog you will see a schedule of points for the Miscellaneous Breeds that will look similar to this:
EXAMPLE:
Total of class dogs Total of class bitches
Winner of BOB (4 class dogs + 4 class bitches = 8 dogs for 3 points)
EXAMPLE:
Total of class dogs Total of class bitches
Winner of BOS (2 class dogs = 1 pt) Winner of BOS (4 class bitches = 2 points)
EXAMPLE:
Total of Breed A Total of Breed B Total of Breed C Total of Breed D
BIMISC/FSS (2 dogs Breed A + 4 dogs Breed B + 5 dogs Breed C + 1 dog Breed D = 12 dogs for 4 points )
EXAMPLE: Total FSS Total Misc
BIOS (8 dogs FSS + 8 dogs Misc = 16 dogs for 5 points )
Check the posted copies of the judge’s book before you leave the show to make certain your dog was marked as the winner. Mistakes do happen! Also, verify that your dog’s FSS number is correct in the catalog. If it is not correct, let the superintendent know before you leave the show. In both cases, it’s easier to make the correction on the day of the show rather than later.
You will find the AKC PDF document on how to count Certificate of Merit Points in Open Shows here.