I'm curious to get others opinions on this.
http://www.akc.org/enewsletter/ecbulletin/2010/winter/champion.cfm
As stated, the intention of offering this new title is to encourage people to continue showing their dogs after they have received their championship (more $$). I like the idea for me personally as once my dog is finished (not to get too much ahead of myself here :rolleyes:) I won't be getting another show dog for another couple of years. I like conformation, and this at least gives me a reason to keep showing my dog so I don't get too rusty in the ring (now that I am finally starting to figure things out!). On the flipside, I can see those who breed will always have a somewhat constant stream of new dogs to finish and may not be motivated to put this new title on one or more of their finished champions when they have the class dogs to worry about.
Based on the description, I think I understand how they are counting the points for this, although I'm not sure I know what a "Select Dog" is.
We have this award here in Australia. Obviously it works in a different manner, but it was intraduced for exactly the same reason the AKC is introducing it… I.E. To encourage the better dogs of the breed to remain in the ring.
Unfortunately down here, there are only one set of points to be awarded, (per sex, per show, and there could well be over 50 shows per weekend day, all over Australia), so it is available to the young 6 month old puppy who has just become eligible for points, and he/she has to compete against the multi BIS, BISS winning Grand Champion/s... No prizes for guessing who is more likely to win those much needed/wanted points ??? So for us it can be rather disappointing, starting out campaigning a youngster, if you know you will be up against 1, 2, 6, 10 Gr Ch at specific shows. Thats why we travel a lot in Aus, and we can more than likely find some shows, (within driving distance), to take our non Ch dogs too 
:p ...
My biggest problem with this is that they have actually made it easier to earn a Grand Championship than it is to earn a Championship. On any given day only 1 dog and 1 bitch get Championship points. Under their Grand Champion scheme up to 2 dogs and 2 bitches can get Grand Champion points. In addition, Grand Champions will be using the same point schedule as Champions but they get to add up all the class animals they defeated plus all the Specials they defeated so they will have more opportunities for majors than the class animals.
All in all, I find the program highly demotivating.
My biggest problem with this is that they have actually made it easier to earn a Grand Championship than it is to earn a Championship. On any given day only 1 dog and 1 bitch get Championship points. Under their Grand Champion scheme up to 2 dogs and 2 bitches can get Grand Champion points. In addition, Grand Champions will be using the same point schedule as Champions but they get to add up all the class animals they defeated plus all the Specials they defeated so they will have more opportunities for majors than the class animals.
All in all, I find the program highly demotivating.
My guess is that they made it easier on purpose. They want people to keep showing but if it is too much of a hassle people probably wouldn't go through with it.
My view is why should I keep spending money on trying to earn a championship points just to have my dog be point fodder for pro handlers making up easy grand champions.
My view is why should I keep spending money on trying to earn a championship points just to have my dog be point fodder for pro handlers making up easy grand champions.
Good point. 
We have this award here in Australia. Obviously it works in a different manner, but it was intraduced for exactly the same reason the AKC is introducing it… I.E. To encourage the better dogs of the breed to remain in the ring.
Actually, the GC in AKC shows has nothing to do with quality.
It is solely for the revenue it can possibly generate.
Quite frankly, I think it is rubbish.
A dog can get a GC having NEVER won a Best of Breed!
Seriously… if the dog is that good, it should at least win some BOBs.
No, it may not be a dog being campaigned,
but why should they get a higher title without attaining something golden ???
As it is, if a class dog wins breed, they can't count those points towards the GC, as they aren't yet finished.
I agree with Lisa... why spend y money as point fodder for someone campaigning and wanting the numbers of rankings? Might as well use that money on me or my dogs elsewhere!
