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What Is a Breed Standard?
A breed standard is a detailed description of the perfect dog of that breed. Breeders use the standard as a guide in their breeding programs, and judges use it to evaluate the dogs in conformation shows. The standard is written by the national breed club, using guidelines established by the registry that recognizes the breed (such as the UKC or ABKC).
Various sections of the breed standard give overviews of the breed's history, general appearance, and size as an adult. Next is a detailed description of the dog's body, including head, neck, back, legs, and so forth. The standard then describes the ideal coat and how the dog should be presented in the show ring. It also lists all acceptable colors, patterns, and markings. Then there's a section on how the dog moves, called gait. Finally, there's a general description of the dog's temperament.
Each section also lists characteristics that are considered to be faults or disqualifications in the conformation ring. Superficial faults in appearance are often what distinguish a pet quality dog from a show- or competition-quality dog. However, some faults affect the way a dog moves or his overall health.
And faults in temperament are serious business.
- Excerpt from the American Pit Bull Terrier: Your Happy Healthy Pet by Liz Palika
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The purpose of the ABKC's written standard is so American Bully Breeders would know what the dogs they are breeding should look like. The easiest way to define "standard" is that it is an agreed upon, REPEATABLE way of doing something. In this case it is the repeatable way to breed the American Bully. A standard gives a breeder a basis for comparison and as a rule remains the same over time. A standard, specifically a breed standard, should not change to fit what is being produced/bred, as that defeats the purpose of setting a standard in the first place. Every breeder should compare their productions to the standard set forth by the ABKC; furthermore, if his or her production does not meet the standard then said breeder should step back and reassess the breeding program.
The first question any breeder should address is "What's the goal of this breeding?" If the answer is anything less than to create a winning dog that is going to bring home that blue ribbon then perhaps he or she should not make the breeding! If you make a breeding based solely on looks, mouth, air, ability, or to preserve a "bloodline," you should not make the breeding. If your brood stock has any of the above mentioned traits but does not have the ability to win, then don't breed the dog (Wardog Kennels). I understand the American Bully was created to be a companion dog; however, the foundation American Bully dogs were sure as heck in the ring doing there fair share of winning thus I think the American Bully is a show dog first and foremost. While some people may like certain "styles" or "traits" over others, the goal should be the same--to take home the blue ribbon (Wardog Kennels)!!! Not every dog a breeder produces is show or breeding quality; in fact, very few dogs end up being either quality hence making them pet quality. There is nothing wrong with that, but a breeder's goal should always be to produce winners, never pets, and breed to the set standard for the breed. If one is continually producing dogs that do not conform to the breed standard, then why breed?
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A breed standard is a detailed description of the perfect dog of that breed. Breeders use the standard as a guide in their breeding programs, and judges use it to evaluate the dogs in conformation shows. The standard is written by the national breed club, using guidelines established by the registry that recognizes the breed (such as the UKC or ABKC).
Various sections of the breed standard give overviews of the breed's history, general appearance, and size as an adult. Next is a detailed description of the dog's body, including head, neck, back, legs, and so forth. The standard then describes the ideal coat and how the dog should be presented in the show ring. It also lists all acceptable colors, patterns, and markings. Then there's a section on how the dog moves, called gait. Finally, there's a general description of the dog's temperament.
Each section also lists characteristics that are considered to be faults or disqualifications in the conformation ring. Superficial faults in appearance are often what distinguish a pet quality dog from a show- or competition-quality dog. However, some faults affect the way a dog moves or his overall health.
And faults in temperament are serious business.
- Excerpt from the American Pit Bull Terrier: Your Happy Healthy Pet by Liz Palika
The purpose of the ABKC's written standard is so American Bully Breeders would know what the dogs they are breeding should look like. The easiest way to define "standard" is that it is an agreed upon, REPEATABLE way of doing something. In this case it is the repeatable way to breed the American Bully. A standard gives a breeder a basis for comparison and as a rule remains the same over time. A standard, specifically a breed standard, should not change to fit what is being produced/bred, as that defeats the purpose of setting a standard in the first place. Every breeder should compare their productions to the standard set forth by the ABKC; furthermore, if his or her production does not meet the standard then said breeder should step back and reassess the breeding program.
The first question any breeder should address is "What's the goal of this breeding?" If the answer is anything less than to create a winning dog that is going to bring home that blue ribbon then perhaps he or she should not make the breeding! If you make a breeding based solely on looks, mouth, air, ability, or to preserve a "bloodline," you should not make the breeding. If your brood stock has any of the above mentioned traits but does not have the ability to win, then don't breed the dog (Wardog Kennels). I understand the American Bully was created to be a companion dog; however, the foundation American Bully dogs were sure as heck in the ring doing there fair share of winning thus I think the American Bully is a show dog first and foremost. While some people may like certain "styles" or "traits" over others, the goal should be the same--to take home the blue ribbon (Wardog Kennels)!!! Not every dog a breeder produces is show or breeding quality; in fact, very few dogs end up being either quality hence making them pet quality. There is nothing wrong with that, but a breeder's goal should always be to produce winners, never pets, and breed to the set standard for the breed. If one is continually producing dogs that do not conform to the breed standard, then why breed?
