Breed Standards

[CerbiesMom]

What would you show people recommend for somebody to learn about breed standards? I don't know what a stop is, or what the withers are. Is there a book or website about general breed standards, and could explain them so someone new could understand? I'm very curious about it. I know I don't have any show dogs or anything, just interesting.

[ann_hawes]

The easiest way to learn all about confirmation would be to attend shows and talk to people that know different breeds well.

Here's a link to some information with diagrams. It might be somewhat helpful.
http://imageevent.com/vclranch/conformationinformation

The stop is the degree of angle between the skull and nasal bones

[CerbiesMom]

Thanks Ann, that was a good one. I like the diagrams.

[Shara]

Thank you as well, really explained a lot =)

[LoveMyLabs]

The easiest thing would be to google "definition of stop" or "definition of whithers". You'll then know what the words mean. Some breed specific books will define the language as well. You could contact kennel clubs for various definitions as well.

[speedwayspringer]

there is a book called" the complete dog" it has all the breeds and standards in it. can't remember the author..sorry

[lavenderlil]

Well go to a ring craft class and you will soon learn,The breed standard is no use to you until you can understand it's meaning
MiMi

[snazyminis]

Most general dog books have a section on 'points of the dog' and you can see the breed standards on the kennel club websites ( breed standards vary depending on whether the judging system is american/canadian - UK or FCI).

To truely understand a breed standard though, you need to get your hands on a large number of a breed and also look at the reasons why that breed was developed so you can understand why certain points are very important in allowing the dog to do the job it was bred to do.