Breed Type V Breed Style

by Narelle Hammond Canine Construction and Conformation FB Group)

How often have you been ringside and heard someone say, “I can’t believe THAT dog won! He doesn’t display any breed type!” or “THAT dog really is typey.”

Have you ever wondered about the validity of these comments? Are these enthusiasts really critiquing breed type or the “style” of the dog in question? Understanding this is particularly difficult for the newbie who has no experience to draw from.

For the purpose of discussion, we need to define precisely what style is and what breed type is.

So let’s talk style. Indeed, all the dogs in the ring don’t look alike. How can they when for one thing, the breed standard says dogs can be, for example, 24-27 inches at the withers, and bitches can be 23-26 inches. Imagine looking down the line at a group of 27-inch dogs and seeing a dog in the middle of the group who is 25 inches tall. As little as one inch can make a massive difference in a dog’s appearance.That picture alone would evoke a “not very typey” comment from many exhibitors.

Let me challenge you with this thought. Doesn’t this dog’s size conform to the standard for your breed? No word in the written breed standard gives preference to a particular size as long as the dog falls within the described parameters. So what makes this dog less correct in the middle of the standard and the one at the top more correct?

If you examine that 25-inch dog closely, you might find he has several attributes that define him as “the breed”, but many of these points are proportional to his size. This is an example of personal preference or style and not type.

Another example of style can be differences in heads and expression. Many times, when you closely examine heads and are being completely honest with yourself, you can see examples that are both pleasing and in line with the standard, but they are not what you have become accustomed to looking at. That does not mean one or the other is incorrect. Just different and someone else’s interpretation of the breed standard.

So what is breed type? All of those characteristics discussed in a breed standard define the essence of a breed. Some of them are found in many standards for breeds. Some are common to many breed standards. Some are unique, and others only to specific breeds. They all contribute to breed type, and true breed type lies in how closely our dogs conform to that breed standard.

I’m leaving you with one question to explore. I encourage you to watch dogs other than your own at breed specialties, especially some of the adult classes.When viewing the dogs stacked, do they look like all the parts fit smoothly together, and when on the move, is the gait easy, free-flowing and efficient? Take note of the head and expressions. Note the differences in the dogs. Are they a matter of style or breed type? Does breed type affect style?

Multi Best in Show All Breeds Multi Best in Show All Breeds

Multi Runner - Up Best in Show All breeds

Multi Runner - Up Best in Show All breeds Best in Show Speciality Best in Show Speciality

Multi Best in Group Winner Multi Best in Group Winner

Multi Runner - Up Best in Group Winner

Multi Runner - Up Best in Group Winner

No:1 Australian Cattle Dog in Australia 2022

No:1 Australian Cattle Dog in Australia 2022

Youngest Supreme Champion Cattle Dog

Youngest Supreme Champion Cattle Dog In Australia In Australia

At 2 years of age Rowdy has exceeded our At 2 years of age Rowdy has exceeded our expectations With a lot more maturing to expectations. With a lot more maturing to do the sky is the limit for this boy. do the sky is the limit for this boy

Owned By: Steve & Kathy Whyatt

Owned By: Steve & Kathy Whyatt

Sire: Supreme CH. KILLILAN

Dam: Australian CH.