Breed Standards
All dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) have an official breed standard that provides a detailed description of the ideal physical and behavioral characteristics of that breed. Breed standards cover specifics like size, proportion, gait, coat color and texture, head shape, tail carriage, and temperament. They describe the perfect specimen that breeders and exhibitors aim to produce.
Judges use the AKC breed standards as an objective measure against which to evaluate each dog in conformation competitions. The standards allow judges to systematically assess how closely each dog conforms to the ideal described for its breed. Adhering to the standard ensures judging is based on rational, established criteria instead of personal opinion or preference. Standards are a vital part of maintaining consistency and quality across each breed.
Condition
A dog’s condition refers to its physical health, fitness, and grooming. Judges assess the dog’s muscle tone, weight, coat, nails, ears, eyes, and teeth. The dog should appear fit and athletic, with good muscle definition, proportionate weight, and glossy coat.
Grooming is crucial, as the dog’s coat should be clean and well-brushed, with neat trimming and styling per the breed standard. Judges scrutinize the condition of the coat, skin, ears, eyes, nails, and teeth. According to the National Dog Show, a dog’s coat is “the crowning glory of most breeds,” so excellent grooming brings out the best qualities (National Dog Show).
The dog’s physical fitness is also assessed during movement around the ring. Smooth, efficient gait and conditioning reflect a proper diet and regular exercise. Overall vitality and strength indicate good health with no illness or injury. As HowStuffWorks notes, judges use their hands to check the dog’s frame, muscles, and bones (HowStuffWorks). Peak condition allows the dog to move and show naturally according to its breed standard.
Movement
Judges look closely at a dog’s gait and movement when evaluating them in the show ring. Proper movement is a critical part of a dog’s conformation and function.
A dog’s gait refers to their overall locomotion and involves both the front and hind legs working in rhythm. Judges want to see a balanced, efficient gait without wasted motion. According to Evaluation of Movement—A Matter of Balance, dogs should demonstrate good reach and drive, with their front legs reaching forward and their rear legs providing power.
The dog’s stride length and foot timing are also evaluated. Long, flowing strides are preferred over short, choppy steps. Correct foot timing means the front and back legs work in coordination – when the hind foot steps, the front foot on the same side should already be on the ground. Rhythm and symmetry are important.
Overall, smooth and efficient movement with good front reach and rear drive, proper foot timing, and adequate stride is what judges look for when assessing a dog’s gait.
Temperament
A dog’s temperament is a crucial part of judging in dog competitions. Judges will assess how the dog reacts to people and other dogs as well as its trainability. According to the National Dog Show, “The judges examine the dogs and place them according to how closely each dog compares with the judge’s mental image of the perfect dog as described in the breed’s official standard” (https://nds.nationaldogshow.com/event-info/judging/).
Ideal temperament varies by breed, but in general judges look for dogs that are confident yet controllable. The dog should be outgoing and friendly towards people, not acting shy or aggressive. Reactions to other dogs in the ring are also evaluated. Dogs should be focused on their handler and not reactive to other dogs around them. Trainability and obedience is demonstrated through how well the dog responds to the handler’s directions during the judging.
According to How Stuff Works, “Judges look for dogs that are ‘trainable’ — meaning they’re willing to respond to their handlers with minimal hesitation” (https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/dog-show1.htm). A dog that follows commands and moves fluidly with its handler will score more points than one that is poorly trained or ignores instructions. The ideal show dog has an excellent temperament that shines through in the judging ring.
Presentation
One important factor judges evaluate is the dog’s presentation and how well it is handled by its handler. According to the AKC’s “Beginner’s Guide to Dog Shows,” judges examine “how smoothly and smartly the dog moves at the end of its lead.”
The dog should be alert and responsive to its handler’s commands during the judging process. Professional handlers work on perfecting the dog’s gait and response to baiting and commands (source: https://www.purinaproclub.com/resources/dog-articles/todays-breeder/dog-show-timing). A dog that ignores its handler’s commands or seems distracted reflects poorly on its training.
Judges want to see that the dog is engaged with its handler and willing to follow commands like “stand,” “stay,” and “gait” smoothly. A dog presented well by its handler has the best chance of being evaluated positively on its conformation, movement, and temperament.
Conformation
One of the main criteria judges look for is a dog’s overall conformation or structure according to the breed standard. Conformation refers to a dog’s proportions, angles, size, and shape.
Judges will assess how a dog’s proportions adhere to the ideal ratios for its breed. For example, the ratio of length of body to height at the withers is important in many breeds. Additionally, leg length relative to depth of chest and width of front compared to width of back end are considered (source).
Judges analyze angles such as those formed by shoulder layback, upper arm length, and hock. The angles of a dog’s front and rear assembly should facilitate correct movement according to the standard. Head planes, ear set and carriage, and degree of stop are other angles evaluated (source).
Size is another aspect of conformation. Each breed has an ideal height and weight range. Dogs within the specified size parameters are more likely to be successful in the ring. This criteria applies to balance and structural soundness.
Coat
The dog’s coat is very important for judges when evaluating dogs in competitions. The judge will thoroughly inspect the texture, length, and color of the coat to ensure it meets the breed’s standards.
For texture, judges evaluate if the coat is straight, wavy, curly, etc. depending on the requirements for that breed. Some breeds should have very harsh, dense coats like terriers, while others need softer, silkier coats like Maltese. Breed standards provide the ideal coat textures judges look for.
Length is also paramount. Some dogs require rather long coats like Collies and Old English Sheepdogs. Other breeds need distinctly short coats such as Boxers and Dobermans. The coat should not be overly long or short for that particular breed.
Coat colors are specified by breeds as well. Judges will look to make sure the dog has the proper coat colors and markings for its breed. For example, Beagles should have a tri-colored coat of black, tan and white according to the AKC Beagle breed standard. Colors that deviate from the breed specifications would be penalized by judges.
Teeth
Judges pay close attention to a dog’s bite when evaluating their mouth. There are several types of bites that are considered normal and acceptable according to breed standards, such as scissors bite, level bite, and undershot or overshot bite. The judge will look to make sure the bite aligns with the requirements for that breed. Significant deviations from the breed standard bite can count against a dog in competition.
Judges also check for missing or extra teeth. Most breed standards allow for certain teeth to be missing, especially if they were lost while working (common in herding breeds). However, multiple missing teeth or extra teeth are generally considered faults. The judge has to determine if the number and position of missing or extra teeth rises to the level of a disqualification or just a minor fault. According to the American Kennel Club, “The Australian Cattle Dog standard instructs the judge to overlook broken or missing teeth lost in the line of duty.” (Source)
Judging Process
The judging process starts with the judge examining each dog individually. According to the AKC, the judge will view the dog from the side to assess balance and structure, then from the front and rear to evaluate other points of breed conformation. The judge will also watch the dog move around the ring to check its gait and movement.
The judge scores each dog based on how closely it compares to the breed standard. The breed standard outlines the ideal characteristics, temperament, structure and function for that breed. As the AKC states, “The breed standard describes the characteristics that allow the breed to perform the function for which it was originally bred.”
Key areas the judge evaluates include:
- Head and expression – Eyes, ears, skull shape, muzzle proportions
- Neck, topline, body – Length, shape and position of the neck, back, loin and tail set
- Forequarters and hindquarters – Angulation of shoulders, legs, pasterns
- Coat and color – Coat texture, color and markings
- Gait – Ease and efficiency of movement
- Size and substance – Overall balance, bone, structure and musculature
- Temperament – Confidence, alertness, eagerness
Dogs are ranked based on which comes closest to the ideal described in the breed standard. The first place dog best represents its breed, while runners up exhibit minor flaws that prevent them from taking top honors.
Other Factors
Besides the physical attributes and movements of the dog, there are other factors that judges may consider in competitions. These include the dog’s age, sex, and experience according to The National Dog Show (https://nds.nationaldogshow.com/event-info/judging/).
A dog’s age can affect its appearance and temperament. Puppies and adolescent dogs may still be growing into their adult build. Older dogs may start to slow down. Judges will consider the dog’s age category when evaluating condition and movement. Prime age ranges differ by breed.
A dog’s sex can also influence judging. Males and females often conform to distinct breed standards for characteristics like size, proportions, and coat. Judges will compare each dog to the ideal standard for its sex. Females, especially those nursing puppies, may temporarily deviate from the standard.
A dog’s experience level in the show ring can shape its performance. Nervous first-time competitors may not move or present as well as confident veterans. Judges factor the dog’s ring experience into their scoring. But an outstanding dog can still impress judges, even in its first show.