How does a judge examine a dog?

The judge assesses how well the dog matches its breed standard, the official text describing its features. Movement, behaviour and visible signs of health and welfare also count. A beautiful profile is not enough on its own. The order may vary with the judge and breed; here are the main stages to prepare for.

1. Looking at the whole dog

When your dog stands still in a "stack", the judge looks at its outline: proportions, balance, head, topline, limbs, tail and coat. The same outline is not assessed the same way in a Dachshund and a Sighthound.

Your role: give a clear view and present your dog in a stable stance suited to its breed.

2. Hands-on examination

The judge completes the picture by hand: shoulders, body, limbs, coat, tail. They also check dentition and bite, meaning how the jaws close. In males, the check includes the testicles: FCI rules state explicitly that these must be available for examination. The examination takes place on the ground, on a table or on a ramp, according to the FCI guidelines for the breed.

Your role: make access easy, follow instructions and reassure your dog without getting in the judge's way.

3. Watching the dog move

The judge usually asks for a trot, with an up-and-back and a side view. From front and rear, they watch how the limbs move. From the side, they assess reach, coordination and carriage.

Your role: find a speed that shows your dog's natural gait, on a loose lead. The FCI requires a natural presentation and forbids lifting the dog by the neck or tail.

4. Grading, then comparing

The judge combines observations to give a grading, then a placing. Grading and placing are different: several dogs can get "Excellent", but not all will be first. Constant refusal of examination can lead to "Cannot be judged".

Beginner: your 3 tips

Prepare small handling moments. Gradually get your dog used to being touched on shoulders, back and legs. Practise showing the teeth gently.
Listen to one instruction at a time. Asked for an up-and-back? Focus on the route first. If you didn't understand, simply ask the judge to repeat.
Aim for a few seconds of calm. A beginner doesn't need a statue. The first goal is a comfortable stance in which it accepts being looked at and touched.

Intermediate: your 3 tips

Find your right speed. Too fast and the dog may gallop; too slow and its movement may become uneven.
Make your dog easy to examine. During handling, avoid constantly moving its feet or turning its head towards a treat.
Vary the people in training. With calm, willing helpers, practise short mock examinations. The goal is trust, not stillness obtained by force.

Advanced: your 3 tips

Link each exercise to the standard. For each section (proportions, head, coat, gait) ask: "What must the judge be able to see?"
Smooth the transitions. Stack, hands-on, trot away, return and stop: smooth transitions reduce repeated corrections.
Turn the critique into an exercise. Separate what belongs to presentation from what belongs to the dog's construction: training eases assessment but does not change anatomy.