Bottom line: there are thousands of champions and one is very likely to see a champion at any given all-breed show in any top 75 breed.
What AKC means by “champion” isn’t quite the same as what everyone else thinks of “champion” in real sports, e.g. There is only 1, or only a few, any given year in athletic competition. Hundreds if not more championships are granted by AKC in any given year for a given breed.
They don’t have to actually “win” a show - just be Winners D/B several times. No normal sport allows that. Being a Ch. doesn’t mean the dog won a single show.
Further, many dogs have won several shows (breed or BIS) - whether they are in different states is immaterial because there are not different “state agencies of dog shows”. Winning 5 different KC/BC specialty shows in the same state is really about the same as 5 different states. There is no vetting system or “playoff” system that even makes that incredibly special.
Thus, by no means is being a dog champion, or winning several different shows, highly unusual in the show world. It’s so common that the dog world doesn’t bother noting those dogs. Only the very best of the best really draw attention - those who keep winning dozens of shows, etc.
Not saying it’s easy to get your dogs to get that - but from the other view, there are TONS of Champions, every year.
I used to show and breed labs so I know all of what you’re saying... I just couldnt get the jist of dont have to win a show.
You explained what you meant simply when you said ( paraphrasing here )either being winners dog or winners bitch.
With that one sentence I got it.
I also used to dabble around in AKC Hunting Retriever events and one of my bitches ( only 2 right now and they’re 10 and 7 ), I have titled. Her sire was a MH aka Master Hunter and he did not enjoy showing just like her. ugh.
My site if you care to look.
( and sorely outdated )
http://wetherwell.webs.com/
Thank you for taking the time to clarify for me. Appreciate it FRiend ~! And a great Sunday to you.