Top 20

WELCOME TO THE 2025 Golden Gala!

Join us for an evening of beautiful dogs at the BMDCA’s 12th Annual Top Twenty Gala. This event will showcase the top Conformation dogs from 2024. Entry is by invitation only and is sent to the top 20 Bernese Mountain Dogs in breed and all-breed points, as determined by AKC statistics from January 1 through December 31, 2024. The Junior Showmanship class judging will occur during the break. Come and cheer on our future generation!

Dogs will be prejudged by a three-judge panel the afternoon prior to the gala event. Each judge will evaluate the dogs on a predetermined point system, enumerating the criteria of our breed standard. The emphasis for judging is on the individual qualities of the dog and how closely he/she conforms to the Breed Standard. Points will be tabulated once the prejudging is completed. 

The Top Twenty competition will culminate Thursday evening in The Aspire Grand Ballroom.The event will be opened to the general public to view the final showcase of the Top Twenty dogs and presentation of awards to the top winners. No admission fee will be charged, there will be a cash bar available. This event will be both entertaining and exciting as the handlers present their dogs to music chosen by them to represent the unique personalities of their dogs. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the Gala. In addition, attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award during the evening festivities.

The theme this year is A Golden Gala. The teams entered in the Top Twenty will be dressed in their finest formal wear. This year in honor of the theme, attendees are encouraged to wear their finest Golden outfits. Top Twenty Gala donations are also very welcome and may be made through Online Registration.