this question is for breeders and or people who show dogs...?

Question

this probably sounds stupid, but what does it mean when someone says "breed standard" when talking about the breed. in that i mean any purebred when they say stuff like "the dog is a great specimen of the breed." how do you know what a "great specimen" of a particular breed is? do you judge this by the way the dog looks or does it have to do with championship wins? i don't breed or show, but have always been curious of this. thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Each breed has a "breed standard" or a written description of what a breed should look like. It is judged based on that.

It tells what each part of the dog should look like. From head shape, to tail set and carriage. Each dog in the breed is judged to see how each one compares to the standard for that breed. When different breeds are judged together, like for Best of Breed, the judge determines which breed more closely resembles it's standard.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/complete_breed_list.cfm

Click on any breed and it will spell out the standard for it. Each breed has one.

Answer 2

The breed standard is a written description of exactly how that breed should look, move and act. It is formulated by the Parent Club for the breed and is held by the AKC or other registering body.

A "great speciman" of the breed is one that adheres closely to all aspects of the breed standard. Championship wins can give some hint as to whether a dog is a great speciman... but truly it has more to do with whether the dog fits the epitome of the breed which is what the breed standard sets up. (Champion wins require campaigning... a lesser known dog who is showed on a limited basis may be a better dog than the one with big wins).

Answer 3

The breed standard for any breed of dog is to show what a "perfect" dog would be, in body type, in bone structure, in head proportion to the body, in temperament, everything that makes the dog that particular breed.

There are groups known as the Parent Club for each breed that the American Kennel Club recognizes, and these parent clubs create a standard of the perfect specimen for the breed, based on what the breed was intended to do. For example, sporting dogs are typically hunters - their body type and temperament need to be strong to work the hunt, but also gentle enough to retrieve the kill. Other dogs which are bred to hunt ground animals need to be low to the ground, and very determined in nature in order to do what they are supposed to do.

So, a judge in the ring, or a breeder, will be looking at a particular dog and using the parent club's ideal of the perfect dog, match their dog against these standards.

Hope this makes sense.

Answer 4

The breed standard not only describes how a dog should look, but also how it should behave. For example, the Basset Hound specifies that the temperament is "mild, never sharp or timid".

To truly understand the standard, though, you need to know more than just what is written on the page. You need to know and understand the original purpose of the breed, and how the traits described in the standard contribute to the dog's ability to perform that job. You need to watch your breed at work. You need to talk with long time breeders, to learn exactly what the terms mean, how much is enough, and how much is too much.

Answer 5

The national breed clubs for each breed, together with the AKC; compile what they feel makes a ideal "whatever". This then becomes the written "standard" for the breed. You can find all the written standards at www.akc.org

In judging, the judges compare each entry to the written "standard" of the breed. The dog coming closest to meeting the standard usually wins. Quite often the dog coming the closest to the standard does a lot of winning.

When dogs make it into the Group ring, they are compared again to their own "standard". The dog coming closest to meeting their standard wins.

Hope that makes sense.

Answer 6

It is how closely the dog matches ("conforms to") the breed standard. The purpose of showing in conformation is to see which dogs fit most closely to what the breed should be.

For example, here is an excerpt from the papillon standard as an example:

"Always parti-color or white with patches of any color(s). On the head, color(s) other than white must cover both ears, back and front, and extend without interruption from the ears over both eyes."
(Source: http://www.akc.org/breeds/papillon/ )

If you look really closely at the picture of my dog, you can see on her right ear (left side of the picture), there's a little bit of white fur: http://www.areakode.com/abbyful/segami/puppy/josie_2007_09_22_pic1.jpg
The breed standard calls for no white on the ears. She was sold as a companion because she's mismarked (marked outside of what the breed standard allows) and cannot be shown or bred because of it.

The dogs that are the best specimens of the breed are the dogs that most closely match all the 'rules' of what the breed should be. And yes, those dogs are shown in conformation and earn their championship as proof of their quality.

You can find the breed standards on the AKC website (or whatever reputable kennel club is the equivalent for your country.)
.

Answer 7

There are a certain set of standards that have been set aside for each breed. It has to do with character, bone structure, hair coat, leg conformation, gait, and many many other things. It is different for every breed. When you see a dog show, they are not comparing dog to dog, they are comparing each dog to what is considered the perfect dog for each breed. The dog that matches that the most is the best in show. Dogs with more championship wins are considered the dogs that are closest to what has been set as breed characteristic.

Answer 8

The breed standard refers to the requirements (color, size, build) an example of a breed should be. For instance...everyone talks about 'tcup' this and that these days....sure, maybe these dogs are 'purebred' from parents of the same breed, but they are POOR examples of the breed standard, that is they don't conform to what a dog of the breed should be.

Answer 9

Breed Standard is nothing more than an example of what the breed should ideally look like, act like, etc. Check out the AKC.. they have comprised a list of the breed standards for each breed recognized by the AKC.

Answer 10

Go to www.akc.org and it lists the breed standards for each breed. Dogs are bred to meet this standard and breeders and show judges look for dogs that most closely resemble it.