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Breed type (dog)
Encyclopedia
Breed type in the parlance of dog fanciers
refers to the qualities that define a dog breed
and separate it from all other dog breeds. Breed type is outlined in the written standard
for each breed, and breed type is the basis of judging
in conformation dog shows
.
. The standard leaves room for interpretation; breeders
may choose to select for emphasis some aspects of breed type over others, and, if conformation judges agree with that selection, the breed will change over time.
Each element of the standard is considered both independently and part of the whole of breed type. In writing about the Borzoi, Jon Titus Steel says, "The neck is a key element of breed type", affecting a dog's outline, balance, movement, and function.
Even judging that adheres strictly to the standard tends to reward the most outgoing and energetic (showy) dog. In order to win, showing "must be fun for the dog." But for some breeds, excessive showiness is in opposition to the breed type and should not be rewarded. The American Kennel Club English Mastiff
standard cautions, "Judges should also beware of putting a premium on showiness."
, breed type, dog breed
, and purebred dog
breed are at times all used interchangeably, but they all have distinct meanings. Types of dogs are varieties developed for a specific work; they may be very ancient or modern in origin. Modern breeds of dogs are refinements of older dog types, bred so that all closely resemble each other, and documented in a stud book kept by a breed club or major dog registry. A purebred dog is a dog of a documented modern dog breed that has been selectively bred to emphasize breed type for the sport of competitive conformation dog showing.
The word type may be incorrectly used instead of style to refer to an identifiable 'style of appearance' or 'working style characteristic' of a particular kennel or "dogs of a well established line". This terminology is incorrect. The word type in reference to a dog refers specifically to the description of what defines that breed and what makes that breed of dog different from every other breed, as can be found in that breed's written Standard. When comparing dogs of the same breed, you look at type first and foremost, and then you look for different styles of dogs within that breed. The term style refers to characteristics that are different in each dog that already has breed type. There can be a vast variety of styles existing in each breed of dog. These characteristics develop from a breeder's desire to create a distinct 'look' (or style) within their line. Breeders create their own style within their line, being careful not to stray from breed type.
Purebred dogs | Genetic disease | Criticism of dog showing | Dog
| Dog breeding
| List of dog diseases | Canine reproduction | Inbreeding
| Founder effect
. Also see articles about individual breeds for more on health issues of individual breeds.
Animal fancy
Animal fancy is a hobby involving the appreciation, promotion, or breeding of pet or domestic animals.Fancy may include ownership, showing, trialling and other competitions, breeding and judging. Hobbyists may simply collect specimens of the animal in appropriate enclosures, such as aquaria and...
refers to the qualities that define a dog breed
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
and separate it from all other dog breeds. Breed type is outlined in the written standard
Breed standard (dogs)
A breed standard in the dog fancy is a set of guidelines covering specific externally observable qualities such as appearance, movement, and temperament for that dog breed...
for each breed, and breed type is the basis of judging
Dog-show judge
A dog show judge, sometimes dog judge, is a person that is qualified to evaluate dogs at a conformation show. At small shows, there might be only one judge for all breeds and classes...
in conformation dog shows
Conformation show
Conformation shows, also referred to as breed shows, are a kind of dog show in which a judge familiar with a specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed's individual breed standard.A...
.
Qualities that define a breed
Breed type encompasses appearance, character, condition, bone structure, temperament, and movement; "breed type is all these things." Breed type also includes a character specific to each breed, a combination of behaviour, temperament and carriage that demonstrate an essence of the breed. "He exuded breed type," writes Anne Marie Rasmussen of a particular King Charles Spaniel. An Akbash Dog "with correct breed type [is] confident, protective, intelligent, brave, affectionate yet reserved, and always loyal." The exact definition of breed type for any given breed can be very subjective and elusive.The Standard
For the most part, the ideal breed type is defined in the breed standard, a written list of attributes that defines the breed and separates the breed from other breeds based on the same ancestral typeDog type
Dog types are broad categories of dogs based on function, with dogs identified primarily by specific function or style of work rather than by lineage or appearance....
. The standard leaves room for interpretation; breeders
Dog breeding
Dog breeding is the practice of mating selected specimens with the intent to maintain or produce specific qualities and characteristics.Dogs reproduce without human interference, so their offsprings' characteristics are determined by natural selection. Domestic dogs may be intentionally bred by...
may choose to select for emphasis some aspects of breed type over others, and, if conformation judges agree with that selection, the breed will change over time.
Each element of the standard is considered both independently and part of the whole of breed type. In writing about the Borzoi, Jon Titus Steel says, "The neck is a key element of breed type", affecting a dog's outline, balance, movement, and function.
Judging
In conformation judging, judges compare the dog to the ideal breed type represented in the standard. Since breed standards leave room for interpretation, conformation show judging is highly subjective, and individual judges will place more or less emphasis on the various elements of breed type. In addition, all-breed judges may not be knowledgeable about all of the details of each breed's breed type. The director of the Bedlington Terrier Club of America writes of the Bedlington Terrier's standard for gait that "all too often, judges either ignore [the standard's] description or completely lack knowledge of it."Even judging that adheres strictly to the standard tends to reward the most outgoing and energetic (showy) dog. In order to win, showing "must be fun for the dog." But for some breeds, excessive showiness is in opposition to the breed type and should not be rewarded. The American Kennel Club English Mastiff
English Mastiff
The English Mastiff, referred to by virtually all Kennel Clubs simply as the Mastiff, is a breed of large dog perhaps descended from the ancient Alaunt through the Pugnaces Britanniae. Distinguishable by enormous size, massive head, and a limited range of colors, but always displaying a black mask,...
standard cautions, "Judges should also beware of putting a premium on showiness."
Breed type and performance
Breed type usually takes into account the work the original dog type from which the breed was developed was bred to do. In order to counterbalance the overuse of appearance in awarding championships, some major registries and breed clubs have instituted performance events as part of the awards at conformation shows.Types, type, and breeds
Dog typeDog type
Dog types are broad categories of dogs based on function, with dogs identified primarily by specific function or style of work rather than by lineage or appearance....
, breed type, dog breed
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
, and purebred dog
Purebred
Purebreds, also called purebreeds, are cultivated varieties or cultivars of an animal species, achieved through the process of selective breeding...
breed are at times all used interchangeably, but they all have distinct meanings. Types of dogs are varieties developed for a specific work; they may be very ancient or modern in origin. Modern breeds of dogs are refinements of older dog types, bred so that all closely resemble each other, and documented in a stud book kept by a breed club or major dog registry. A purebred dog is a dog of a documented modern dog breed that has been selectively bred to emphasize breed type for the sport of competitive conformation dog showing.
The word type may be incorrectly used instead of style to refer to an identifiable 'style of appearance' or 'working style characteristic' of a particular kennel or "dogs of a well established line". This terminology is incorrect. The word type in reference to a dog refers specifically to the description of what defines that breed and what makes that breed of dog different from every other breed, as can be found in that breed's written Standard. When comparing dogs of the same breed, you look at type first and foremost, and then you look for different styles of dogs within that breed. The term style refers to characteristics that are different in each dog that already has breed type. There can be a vast variety of styles existing in each breed of dog. These characteristics develop from a breeder's desire to create a distinct 'look' (or style) within their line. Breeders create their own style within their line, being careful not to stray from breed type.
See also: Health Problems
Health problems of dog breeds and objections to dog showing have been covered extensively in the following articles:Purebred dogs | Genetic disease | Criticism of dog showing | Dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
| Dog breeding
Dog breeding
Dog breeding is the practice of mating selected specimens with the intent to maintain or produce specific qualities and characteristics.Dogs reproduce without human interference, so their offsprings' characteristics are determined by natural selection. Domestic dogs may be intentionally bred by...
| List of dog diseases | Canine reproduction | Inbreeding
Inbreeding
Inbreeding is the reproduction from the mating of two genetically related parents. Inbreeding results in increased homozygosity, which can increase the chances of offspring being affected by recessive or deleterious traits. This generally leads to a decreased fitness of a population, which is...
| Founder effect
Founder effect
In population genetics, the founder effect is the loss of genetic variation that occurs when a new population is established by a very small number of individuals from a larger population. It was first fully outlined by Ernst Mayr in 1942, using existing theoretical work by those such as Sewall...
. Also see articles about individual breeds for more on health issues of individual breeds.