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Understanding Breed Standards And Breed Parent Clubs

There’s a BIG group of people that don’t believe in breed standards.

They don’t want a show dog so they don’t feel they need a breed standard dog but my question is always, “Why would you not one?”

Is it because you want a companion only dog? 

If that’s the case, why should companion dogs NOT adhere to standards?

A show dog and a companion dog should be given the same respect and using that as an excuse is like saying the companion dog deserves less.

You just want a pet?

You should also want a healthy pet.

If you’re getting a dog from an ethical breeder, a show quality dog and a companion dog come from the same litter. 

There’s usually very little difference between the two and it’s normally something an owner wouldn’t notice. 

What Is A Breed Standard?

A breed standard is a description written by the breed parent club that describes the dog’s looks, movement and temperament.

It’s a mental picture of what the ideal dog of that breed should look like  to be able to perform the function for which they were originated. 

“The purpose of a standard is to be a guide for breeders and judges. As such, it is important to keep in mind those features that make the breed unique, those qualities the breed must possess to do the job for which it was created. A standard should emphasize what is important in the breed. “

 

Newfoundland Breed Standard

The  written breed standard displayed on the AKC website or the Newfoundland Club of America website, is there for a reason and it’s not about you, it’s about the dog. 

A written breed standard is a blueprint of the perfect dog.

No dog is going to match the blueprint 100% but the goal is to have a guideline to create a dog that is “close”. 

It’s more than looks, it’s also about health, function and temperment. 

Who Decides What The Breed Standard Is?

Breed standards are written by individual breed parent clubs, and, if the breed club is a member of a national kennel club, the standard will go through a process of being approved by the national kennel club so that the members of the breed club can take part in the dog activities sponsored by the national kennel club. The national kennel club only directs the form of the breed standard, the breed standard itself is written by the breed parent club.

The breed standard that is written by the breed parent club is thought to be sacred and is not to be messed with. In fact the American Kennel Club makes it difficult for a breed parent club to alter the standard by considering revisions only every five years. Breeders are to breed to the existing standard, not alter it when it no longer suits them.

What Is A Breed Parent Club? 

A breed parent club is the national club for a specific breed. It’s basically a portal for the breed. Breed parent clubs should be the number one resource for anyone looking for a specific breed of dog.  Parent club websites generally provide information about the breed’s temperament, physical characteristics and health concerns.  Most have breeder referral programs and rescue programs. Many provide extensive information on breed health including recommended books and trust-worthy websites.

They help fund health research programs for their breed through trust programs. They can provide breeder education and information on breed specific legislation. Many breed parent clubs have quarterly newsletters that they send out to members highlighting specific topics for that quarter. They also work with local breed clubs and many parent breed clubs host regional and national specialty shows. Nationals is a yearly dog show held just for that specific breed of dog. A national dog show draws breed fanciers from all over world and taking home a blue ribbon from one of these shows is considered one of the highest honors. What’s great about most national dog shows is that many of the breed parent clubs will offer a recap of the show in their quarterly newsletter. This will often highlight the judges opinions on what they observed at nationals. That could be what they saw consistently good in the breed and/or things that need to be improved that don’t conform to breed standards.

So What Does All That Mean?

Breed standards and breed parent clubs are important to every purebred dog and their owners should be aware of them.

My personal opinion: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

In at nutshell, most people don’t understand what a breed standard is or what a breed parent club is which brings out all the crazies around this time of the year. They are the ones who have no clue that breed standards even exist so they spew out all kinds of trash talking criticism.  This is when the people that really understand dog shows and breed standards will sit back and shake their heads like they do every year. You see, they know what breed standards are, where to find them, what they mean and what the issues are. They are one step ahead of the crazies because they take the time to know and understand the breed.  When they decided to take on the breed of dog they have, they educated themselves. They acquired their dogs from someone who knows and understands the breed standards. They donate to their health now and in the future. They are the ones doing, while the others are sitting back and talking trash.

 

 

 

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So You Think You Want A Show Dog. Here's 9 Things You Should Know - mybrownnewfies.com

Monday 12th of February 2018

[…] a pet can look exactly like a dog sold as a show dog. While it ultimately depends on the specific breed’s standards, small flaws can be an under or overbite, coat markings, coat texture, eye color….etc. Health […]

Misty Shores Chesapeakes

Sunday 31st of January 2016

Well written Jen!! I also love the folks who say "oh it's just a beauty pageant for dogs" ugh!

Two French Bulldogs

Thursday 28th of January 2016

mom wishes she can go Lily & Edward

Jen

Friday 29th of January 2016

I do too ;)

Emma

Thursday 28th of January 2016

We love to watch the show and can't wait for the GBGV to be represented one day! Showing is so complicated, we are glad we stick to sports instead. Great informative post!

Jen

Thursday 28th of January 2016

Thank you! We love watching the show too and I'll be excited when the GBGV is represented one day too!

All Things Collie

Thursday 28th of January 2016

Well said! Our collie national, which is held by the Collie Club of America, and hosted in different states each year by local collie clubs, is coming up next month. It is quite an experience. A few years ago there was a debate over collie coat color, and many wanted to revise our standard. It became a heated argument, and in the end no changes were made. Most do want any changes to their breed's standard.

As for Westminster, we competed there twice, and there are people who go there just to cause trouble. Exhibitors can actually hire guards to stand by their benching area, to protect their dogs. When we went, we just all took turns staying with our collie. There are thousands of people trying to pet your dogs all day long, so it isn't safe to leave your dogs alone.

All Things Collie

Thursday 28th of January 2016

That was most do NOT want any changes

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