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THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

© Marilyn Koyanagi

The ultimate goal of the breeder is to produce the perfect specimen - the ideal conformation dog that is able to excel at the work for which he was bred. To this end, the breeder uses dogs of outstanding type and quality, constantly seeking to better each successive breeding.



Once you are prepared to make the commitment required in raising a litter, the next step is to determine if your newly finished champion is a suitable candidate for breeding. This will require an objective assessment of her virtues and faults. A brood bitch must have qualities that will benefit the breed and her faults should not be of a serious or disqualifiable nature. Most importantly, she must possess a good degree of breed type.

With your involvement in showing, thus far, you will have learned the basics of structure and movement. Recognizing faults is not difficult nor does it take years of experience to be able to determine whether or not a dog is sound. What does require considerable knowledge is developing the ability to recognize correct type.

Type is defined as the characteristic qualities that distinguish a breed - the embodiment of a standard's essentials. More simply stated, it is the overall look that distinguishes one breed from another. While it is easily defined, this intangible quality almost defies description. Readily apparent to some, it will never be seen by others. Recognizing type is a talent and, like all talents, it must be developed.

Despite their similarities in general appearance, the Irish, English and Gordon Setters are distinctly different from one another. The most obvious differences make them easy to identify but there is much more to recognizing type than simply identifying breeds.

BIS BISS Can Am CH Cairncross Forerunner
Russell Setters - Susan Russell


Imagine these three dogs painted the same color. To the trained eye, they would still be easily recognized because of their outstanding type. Obvious traits such as color are immaterial.

More important and difficult to discern are the subtle differences in outline, movement, character and expression. These factors combine to create type and set each breed apart from all others.

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