AKC Puppy Class Age Calculator

Enter your puppy's birthday and the show date. You will see your puppy's age on show day, which age class it fits, and the dates it moves up.

A puppy beside a wall calendar and a small birthday cake

AKC conformation classes by age

AKC conformation class ages
Class	Age on show day
Beginner Puppy (no championship points)	4 months to under 6 months
Puppy, 6-9 months	6 months to under 9 months
Puppy, 9-12 months	9 months to under 12 months
Bred-by-Exhibitor Puppy	6 months to under 12 months
12-18 months	12 months to under 18 months
Novice, Amateur-Owner-Handler, Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-Bred, Open	6 months and older

Some shows offer a single 6-12 month Puppy class instead of 6-9 and 9-12, and not every class is offered at every show, so check the premium list. Classes other than the age classes have their own rules about who may enter, such as where the dog was born or who bred it.

Example

A puppy born on March 15 is 6 months old on September 15 and can enter the 6-9 month class from that day. On December 15 it turns 9 months, so a show on December 15 or later means the 9-12 month class.

Common questions

How old does a puppy have to be to show in AKC conformation?

A puppy must be at least 6 months old on the day of the show to compete in the regular classes for championship points.

Which age is used, the entry closing date or the show date?

The age on the day of the show is what counts. A puppy entered in the 6-9 month class must still be under 9 months on the day it is shown.

What are the AKC age classes?

The Puppy classes are 6 to 9 months and 9 to 12 months, and the 12-18 month class is for dogs at least 12 months but under 18 months old. Classes such as Bred-by-Exhibitor and Open have no upper age limit.

Is a puppy 9 months old on the same day of the month it was born?

Yes. A puppy born on March 15 turns 9 months old on December 15, so from that day on it belongs in the 9-12 month class.