Canine glossary: Deciphering breed descriptions in english (Expert dictionary)
Understanding judge's score sheets at dog shows requires knowledge of specialized terminology, often presented in English. The glossary below is structured for in-depth study and includes not only direct translations but also explanations to help accurately interpret the description of your dog's conformation.
I. GENERAL SHOW TERMS
These terms are used to identify and formalize the processes at the exhibition.
Dog - the common name of an animal.
Breed - a group of dogs with established common characteristics.
Show, Exhibition - Official event for assessing compliance with the standard.
Age - time since birth.
Pedigree - Document confirming origin.
Kennel - the place where dogs are bred; the breeder's prefix.
CLASS:
Classes determine which animals your dog will compete with
- Puppy
- Junior
- Intermediate
- Open
- Veteran
- Champion
- Working
II. EVALUATION, DESCRIPTION, AND TITLES (Mark, Critique & Titles)
A section on how a dog is evaluated and what titles it can earn.
Rating Mark:
- Very Excellent - A high rating, awarded to an individual that is as close as possible to the ideal
- Very good - A dog of high quality, with other imperfections
- Good - Similarity of the breed, and also obviousness singing notable shortcomings
DESCRIPTION (Description / Critique)
It is important to clearly distinguish between the degree of deviation from the standard.
A Minor Fault is a minor deviation that does not detract from the overall impression of the dog but lowers the final score.
A major fault is a serious deviation that significantly affects conformity to the standard and its breeding value.
A disqualification is a critical violation of the standard that makes the dog unsuitable for breeding (e.g., missing teeth or cryptorchidism).
TITLES
The main titles awarded at shows are:
- Best of Breed (BOB)
- Best Male
- Best Female
- Best of Opposite Sex (B.O.S.)
- Best In Group (B.I.G.)
- Best in Show (B.I.S.)
- Candidate for National Beauty Champion - CAC
- Candidate for International Beauty Champion - CACIB
Also:
- Ring
- Standard
- Expert
- Judge
- Examination
- Exhibitor
- Standard
- Handler
- Show Stance
II. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EXTERIOR (Conformation)
Conformation describes the overall build, type, and proportions of a dog.
TYPE AND CONDITION
| Condition | The physical form of the dog. Working, show, stud |
| Substance | The quality and sufficiency of the flesh and muscle. Good, Poor, or Exhausted |
| Type | The general appearance, often related to the body type |
| Dampish | Characterized by looseness, excess skin, and loose, loose eyelids/lips |
| Dry | Crisp, clean lines, tight-fitting skin, and no excess moisture |
IV. HEAD AND FACIAL ANATOMY
The head is one of the key elements in determining breed type.
HEAD TYPE AND SHAPE