Breeds

Choosing a breed of dog is more than a matter of appearance or aesthetics. It is more than trying to determine which breed has the best chance of winning shows and is certainly not something to be taken lightly. The fact is, we can determine with a fair amount of success the character traits certain dogs will have according to their breed, and it is vital to the success of your future relationship with your pet as well as the future happiness of both you and your dog that you keep these traits in mind when choosing it. For instance, if you know you are not going to exercise often with your dog, a breed which needs exercise, like an American Eskimo, might not be the right fit for you. On the other hand, expecting the same sort of activity level from a Puli as you would from a Jack Russell Terrier does a disservice to yourself and the dog.

If you are choosing a dog to show, there are certainly considerations to keep in mind when choosing a breed, such as the amount of coat maintenance the dog will need daily and the amount of exercise the dog will need to keep it from gaining too much weight. It is also extremely important to know what disqualifies a dog from competition. When making this decision, then, it is vitally important to know the AKC standard beforehand. Here a few examples of AKC standards for some of the most popular breeds in the United States.

 German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is an agile, lean, strong breed, more long than tall, with curves rather than angles. This dog ideally presents a regal figure, which is most easily defined when present, rather than explained in words. The dog is markedly masculine or feminine according to its sex.

German Shepherds which have cropped or hanging ears are disqualified from AKC competition. Furthermore, a dog cannot have an undershot jaw, docked tail, or be white. As with any breed, any dog which attempts to bite a judge is also disqualified.

Yorkshire Terrier

This dog is a long-haired breed with a smooth silky coat. For competition the hair is expected to be long and if desired can be trimmed to floor length to allow the dog ease of movement. The body is compact and well proportioned. The ideal dog appears self-important and confident in movement and general demeanor.

What disqualifies this dog is any solid color on the coat that is not blue or tan. Also, if the dog has any white on its coat other than a white spot not exceeding one inch in length on the forechest, the dog is disqualified. 

Golden Retriever

The ideal Golden Retriever has a symmetrical build, kind expression, and alert, self-confident personality. This dog is more about the overall appearance, balance, and gait than it is about any of its parts. Any faults found with the breed should affect these qualities.

Golden Retrievers will be disqualified if they are one inch taller or shorter than the accepted AKC standard of 23-24 inches for males and 21.5-22.5 inches for females. Also, any undershot or overshot bite will disqualify the dog.