Do You Feel NOT Having Any Disqualifying Faults In A Breed Standard is a Good Thing?

Question

Or does it allow for too much "subjectivity"???

Standards which have wording such as "moderate", "medium", as relates to substance,etc...

Do you see a greater difference in the type of dogs in breeds where there aren't any DQs??

Answer 1

I think in some breeds the subjectivity is necessary to produce WORKING dogs.

Samoyeds are a multi-purpose breed.. AND some Samoyeds fit one purpose better than the other. To disallow the range would decrease the ability of the breed to produce all-purpose utility dogs capable of hunting, herding and hauling.

There are 3 disqualifying faults:
Color other than white, cream, bisquit, bisquit and white
Blue eyes
Failure to have 2 normally descended testicles in a male

Yes, there is a huge difference in the type of dogs in Samoyeds.. yet I feel this is necessary since they are NOT a one purpose dog.

Answer 2

We don't have an DQ faults in my breed (Collies) aside from the usual stuff that DQ's all breeds.
I really don't feel that we should have any because what we are looking for in an ideal Collie is SO subtle.
Things that are measurable - thereby allowing you to DQ a dog for them, just aren't that important in our breed. Such as height, weight, color, markings, etc.
It all depends upon the breed. Obviously, Dalmatians are a "Spotted" dog. If they aren't spotted, then they aren't a dalmatian.
Collies are a head & expression breed. How are you going to DQ a dog for that? LOL
Anyway - I think in some breeds it's impossible to have DQ's.

Answer 3

First of all even if your specific breed standard doesn't have any disqualifications there are still universal DQs regardless of breeds such as monorchids, cryptorchids, biting, etc.

Personally I'm not sure breeds need more DQs but rather that the DQs and fualts that are in the standards should be enforced.

Answer 4

I suspect most of the dog breed standards with no disqualifying faults are breeds where many of the dogs are working rather than just being show dogs, like Border Collies, or Corgis. They want to emphasize certain consistent traits, but not penalize a herding dog that is thin and wiry over a dog who stays home and looks pretty. They are looking for the illusive "overall balance". Hard to describe but you know it when you see it.

Answer 5

A dog should be functional first and foremost. Almost all dog breeds were working dogs and it is their function that determines their form, not the other way around. If a dog is not structurally sound, it is not likely to do the work anyways. Any time looks are bred for over working ability, the breed invariably suffers. See the links below.

Answer 6

Good question. It has me thinking. :]