Breed Standards…Do we understand them ??
If you google the words Breed Standard below are some excerpts from some of the results that you will receive
“‘Breed Standard’, which is a picture in words that describes each breed of pedigree dog ”
“New Breed Standards, for newly recognised breeds, are drawn up once the breed has become sufficiently established within the UK. Careful research is conducted into the historical background, health and temperament of any new breed before Kennel Club recognition is granted”
“As each breed needs to be described in detail the standard is broken down into parts of the body and a general guide about the particular breed. There is the same layout for every breed – rather like a blueprint; if each part of your dog is the same as the official breed standard then you most likely have a very good example of your chosen breed.”
Upon further delving you will come across the following
“All show dogs should be Fit For Function: Fit For Life and should NOT have exaggerations that would make the dog unsuited for fulfilling its original purpose”
wikipedia – “Conformation shows are not intended for the examination of the entered dogs for fitness for purpose (such as hunting skill in a dog traditionally used for hunting), and while dogs may be excused by a judge for obvious lameness or illness, the dogs are not tested in the ring for genetic health or examined for the general health of the animal beyond externally observable appearance and behaviour as described in the breed standard.”
Some people have interpreted the Breed Standard as the “Perfect” dog in words
I got talking with a fellow exhibitor recently about Breed Standards, and we took the Greyhound as an example. If the Greyhounds that are winning at conformation shows are the “perfect” dog in words, how is it if they were put up against a track animal over 525 yards, they would be beaten every time ?
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