Understanding faults: learning to read the judge's comments

At a show, a fault means a deviation from the requirements of the standard. You then need to understand its nature, its importance and its consequences in the assessment.

The right reflex? Replace "What's wrong with my dog?" with "What does this comment describe, and how should I understand it?"

Beginner — Understanding the words

1. Go back to the exact wording of the standard

A comment only makes sense in relation to the breed's criteria.

Your exercise: after the show, find the relevant section: head, limbs, coat, gait… Read what is sought before looking at the list of faults.

If the comment says "ears too short", look for the benchmark given in the text. You will understand better what "too" means.

2. Spot the different categories

Depending on the standard, you may find sections for "Faults", "Serious faults" and "Disqualifying faults".

The Poodle standard distinguishes these three categories. They should therefore not be put on the same level. [1, p. 8–10]

Your exercise: draw up three columns with the headings actually used in your breed's standard. Put the examples from the text in the right column, without inventing an extra category.

3. Don't confuse "Excellent" with "perfect"

A dog can receive a comment about a small imperfection and still be given the grade "Excellent".

The FCI regulations provide that, for this grade, the superiority of the dog's qualities can allow a few minor imperfections to be overlooked. [2, section 6] Your exercise: read the whole report, including the qualities. A single comment does not sum up the whole judging.

Intermediate — Gauging the importance of a comment

1. Tell preference, tolerance and fault apart

"Desired", "tolerated" and "undesirable" express different shades of meaning.

In the German Shepherd, certain small, discreet white markings are tolerated while remaining undesirable. [3, p. 8]

Your exercise: highlight these wordings in your standard. Avoid turning every non-ideal feature into a fault that automatically leads to exclusion.

2. Also read the general rule on penalisation

The list of faults is not always enough. The paragraph that introduces it explains how to assess deviations.

The Poodle standard asks in particular that their seriousness and their consequences for health and welfare be taken into account. [1, p. 8]

Your exercise: copy that paragraph at the top of your sheet. It will remind you that judging is not simply a matter of counting faults.

3. Separate construction, condition and presentation

A comment may concern the dog's conformation, its condition on show day or the way it is presented.

Your exercise: for each comment, note:

What you understand.
What needs an explanation.
What you can work on in the presentation.

Better training can help the dog show its qualities. It does not change the proportions of its skeleton.

Advanced — Interpreting the consequences

1. Identify disqualifying faults precisely

These faults call for a careful reading of the standard, with its conditions and any thresholds.

At international shows with CACIB under the FCI regulations, a disqualifying fault defined by the standard must lead to the grade "Disqualified". The reason must appear in the judge's report. [2, section 6]

Your exercise: find the exact passage and check the breed, the variety and the details concerned. Don't transfer the rule from one breed to another.

2. Tell "Disqualified" from "Cannot be judged"

These results do not describe the same situation.

"Cannot be judged" may apply in particular where the dog's behaviour prevents its movement being assessed or the examination being carried out. This result therefore does not automatically mean that a disqualifying fault of conformation has been found. [2, section 6]

Your exercise: read the written reason before drawing a conclusion. If the examination was impossible, look at how to prepare your dog gradually for that situation.

3. Turn the comment into a precise question

"The judge didn't like my dog" gives little information. A targeted question opens up more discussion.

Try instead: "What does 'lacking substance' mean in this breed?" or "What landmarks let you assess this point?"

Your exercise: choose just one comment to clarify with a judge or a trainer of the breed. Note their explanation, then go back to the standard.

You will build a more solid understanding this way, show after show.

The reflex to keep

Read the comment, find the criterion, check its category and ask for an explanation if needed.

Learning to recognise a fault is part of progress. Learning to appreciate the dog's qualities just as precisely is every bit as much a part of it.