A regular (Open/Youth) is usually an all breed show sponsored by a local/regional club. DifferentBreeds are sanctioned through ARBA and the club provides the judges and venue.
A Specialty show is usually ONE specific breed ("Mini Rex Specialty" would just be for Mini Rex). The Specialty show is usually sponsored by aBreed Club (they pay the sanction to ARBA) and can (and usually is) run in conjunction with anall breed (regular) show. You usally pay seperate entry fees to the Specialty club sponsor.
So if you see a showcatalog for Open/Youth, you'll see a list of Breeds that are sanctioned, and ifit showsa listing of "Specialties", you'll see a list of breeds available for a seperate show. The advantage is if your breed has a Specialty in conjunction with an Open show, you get to show twice in one day. YEAH!!!!