Conformity to the standard: how does the judge assess your dog?

This official text describes the characteristics being sought: general appearance, construction, temperament, gait, coat… It makes it possible to assess how closely the dog shown matches the model described for his breed.

The standard, a portrait in words

Imagine a portrait painted in words. It describes the outline, the details and the way of moving.

Two dogs can match this portrait without being identical. Some characteristics are defined precisely; others call for judgement, such as harmony or expression.

The judge therefore compares the dog with the text, while also appreciating the whole that he forms.

How does this comparison work?

1. Taking in the whole dog

The judge first looks at the outline and proportions: how do the head, body and limbs fit together?

This is notably where type comes in, meaning the characteristics that give the dog the appearance expected of his breed.

A dog may appeal to you and still depart from the model described in his standard.

2. Examining the details

Observation and hands-on examination allow the different regions of the body to be assessed: head, teeth, limbs, tail, coat…

The requirements depend on the text for each breed. A characteristic sought in one may be undesirable in another.

3. Watching the dog move

Gait completes the examination of the stacked dog. The judge looks at how the dog uses his construction when he moves.

A good pose is therefore not enough: the dog must also be able to show his movement.

4. Assessing temperament

Character is also part of the standard. The judge observes the dog’s reactions during his turn and compares them with what is expected of his breed.

An example to help you understand

The German Shepherd standard describes, among other things, a dog slightly longer than tall. It states that the length of the trunk exceeds the height at the withers by 10 to 17%.

So the judge is not looking for a square outline in this breed.

The same text explains that excessive angulation of the hindquarters is detrimental to endurance and working ability. Exaggerating a characteristic does not mean following the standard better.

These remarks apply to the German Shepherd: they must not be applied to every breed.

Are all deviations equally important?

No. In the German Shepherd standard, deviations must be assessed according to their seriousness and their effect on health, welfare and working ability.

A penalisable fault must be distinguished from a disqualifying fault, which is explicitly stated in the standard.

The FCI regulations also state that the grade “Excellent” may be awarded despite minor imperfections, when the dog’s qualities justify it. It therefore does not mean “absolutely faultless”.

Finally, the grade and the placing answer two different questions: how good is the dog, and what position does he hold among the competitors? Several dogs can receive “Excellent”, with different placings.

Nine tips for making progress

These tips offer a learning method; they are not regulatory obligations.

Beginner — Understanding the reference

Read the official standard for your breed. Start with the general appearance, proportions and temperament. Save the anatomical details for a second reading.
Get the technical words explained. “Set of the legs”, “stop”, “angulations”… Ask someone knowledgeable about your breed for explanations, with visible examples.
Link the comments to the text. After a show, choose two or three of the judge’s remarks and find the matching sections in the standard.

Intermediate — Sharpening your eye

Look at several dogs of your breed. Compare their characteristics with the official text. A single photo, even of a champion, does not represent all the variations allowed.
Combine photos and videos. A side view helps you understand proportions; a video lets you observe movement. Use both to improve.
Identify strengths and areas to improve. With the help of someone who knows the breed, build a balanced assessment of your dog, rather than a list of faults.

Advanced — Deepening your analysis

Link construction and function. Look into why a characteristic is required: movement, endurance, traditional work… The standard becomes easier to understand.
Study how serious deviations are. Distinguish faults, serious faults and disqualifying faults, where these categories appear in your standard.
Check for updates. Before preparing for a show, make sure you are using the current official version and the provisions for your dog’s variety.

The point to remember

Knowing the standard helps you understand what the judge is looking for and read his comments better. Your dog remains an individual: the aim is to appreciate his qualities and his deviations fairly.