What does "USAS" mean at a dog show? - briefly
At a dog show, "USAS" stands for United States Australian Shepherd Association, which is a registry dedicated to promoting and preserving the breeding standards of Australian Shepherds in the United States.
What does "USAS" mean at a dog show? - in detail
In the context of dog shows, particularly those governed by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the acronym "USAS" stands for United States of America Show Champion. This title is conferred upon dogs that have accumulated a specific number of points under AKC rules, indicating their success in various competitions across the country.
To earn the USAS title, a dog must first acquire 15 points from major wins under at least three different judges. A "major win" typically refers to earning two or more points in a single show. Once these initial requirements are met, additional points are needed to reach the total of 25 points for Non-Sporting, Sporting, Toy, and Working breeds, and 15 points for Hounds and Terriers. The points system is designed to reward consistency and versatility across different shows and judges.
The USAS title signifies that a dog has demonstrated exceptional quality, type, and temperament, as evaluated by multiple judges in various show settings. It is a prestigious achievement that recognizes both the dog's conformation to its breed standard and its ability to compete successfully against other top-quality dogs from its breed.
In summary, "USAS" serves as a distinction of excellence within the AKC system, highlighting dogs that have consistently excelled in competition and embody the ideal characteristics of their respective breeds.