The Conformation Conversation

Taking my Time with my Sensitive Puppy

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor, Vicki Ronchette discusses waiting to show sensitive puppies as we help them grow more confident and outgoing.

On Showing a Dog that Only Needs Majors

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor, Vicki Ronchette offers another viewpoint on people showing dogs who only need majors to finish.

Naming Show Dogs

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor Vicki Ronchette explains how people name show dogs and how kennel names and call names might be chosen and used.

Attending Westminster (New York), the AKC National Championship (Orlando) and your National Specialty

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor Vicki Ronchette discusses the importance and reason for making it a point to attend "the Big Three", Westminster, Orlando and your National Specialty shows.

Ending the Blame Game - Supporting Puppy People

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor, Vicki Ronchette discusses the importance of supporting our puppy people when an issue arises and avoiding blaming others. 

Reading of the AKC standard for the Samoyed

Official Standard of the Samoyed
General Conformation: (a) General Appearance-The Samoyed, being essentially a working
dog, should present a picture of beauty, alertness and strength, with agility, dignity and grace. As
his work lies in cold climates, his coat should be heavy and weather-resistant, well groomed, and
of good quality rather than quantity. The male carries more of a "ruff" than the female. He should
not be long in the back as a weak back would make him practically useless for his legitimate
work, but at the same time, a close-coupled body would also place him at a great disadvantage as
a draft dog. Breeders should aim for the happy medium, a body not long but muscular, allowing
liberty, with a deep chest and well-sprung ribs, strong neck, straight front and especially strong
loins. Males should be masculine in appearance and deportment without unwarranted
aggressiveness; bitches feminine without weakness of structure or apparent softness of
temperament. Bitches may be slightly longer in back than males. They should both give the
appearance of being capable of great endurance but be free from coarseness. Because of the
depth of chest required, the legs should be moderately long. A very short-legged dog is to be
deprecated. Hindquarters should be particularly well developed, stifles well bent and any
suggestion of unsound stifles or cowhocks severely penalized. General appearance should
include movement and general conformation, indicating balance and good substance.
(b) Substance-Substance is that sufficiency of bone and muscle which rounds out a balance with
the frame. The bone is heavier than would be expected in a dog of this size but not so massive as
to prevent the speed and agility most desirable in a Samoyed. In all builds, bone should be in
proportion to body size. The Samoyed should never be so heavy as to appear clumsy nor so light
as to appear racy. The weight should be in proportion to the height.
(c) Height - Males: 21 to 23½ inches; females: 19 to 21 inches at the withers. An oversized or
undersized Samoyed is to be penalized according to the extent of the deviation.
(d) Coat (Texture and Condition) - The Samoyed is a doublecoated dog. The body should be
well covered with an undercoat of soft, short, thick, close wool with longer and harsh hair
growing through it to form the outer coat, which stands straight out from the body and should be
free from curl. The coat should form a ruff around the neck and shoulders, framing the head
(more on males than on females). Quality of coat should be weather resistant and considered
more than quantity. A droopy coat is undesirable. The coat should glisten with a silver sheen.
The female does not usually carry as long a coat as most males and it is softer in texture.
(e) Color - Samoyeds should be pure white, white and biscuit, cream, or all biscuit. Any other
colors disqualify.
Movement: (a) Gait - The Samoyed should trot, not pace. He should move with a quick agile
stride that is well timed. The gait should be free, balanced and vigorous, with good reach in the
forequarters and good driving power in the hindquarters. When trotting, there should be a strong
rear action drive. Moving at a slow walk or trot, they will not single-track, but as speed increases
the legs gradually angle inward until the pads are finally falling on a line directly under the
longitudinal center of the body. As the pad marks converge the forelegs and hind legs are carried
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straight forward in traveling, the stifles not turned in nor out. The back should remain strong,
firm and level. A choppy or stilted gait should be penalized.
(b) Rear End - Upper thighs should be well developed. Stifles well bent-approximately 45
degrees to the ground. Hocks should be well developed, sharply defined and set at approximately
30 percent of hip height. The hind legs should be parallel when viewed from the rear in a natural
stance, strong, well developed, turning neither in nor out. Straight stifles are objectionable.
Double-jointedness or cowhocks are a fault. Cowhocks should only be determined if the dog has
had an opportunity to move properly.
(c) Front End - Legs should be parallel and straight to the pasterns. The pasterns should be
strong, sturdy and straight, but flexible with some spring for proper let-down of feet. Because of
depth of chest, legs should be moderately long. Length of leg from the ground to the elbow
should be approximately 55 percent of the total height at the withers-a very short-legged dog is
to be deprecated. Shoulders should be long and sloping, with a layback of 45 degrees and be
firmly set. Out at the shoulders or out at the elbows should be penalized. The withers separation
should be approximately 1 to 1½ inches.
(d) Feet - Large, long, flattish-a hare-foot, slightly spread but not splayed; toes arched; pads thick
and tough, with protective growth of hair between the toes. Feet should turn neither in nor out in
a natural stance but may turn in slightly in the act of pulling. Turning out, pigeon-toed, round or
cat-footed or splayed are faults. Feathers on feet are not too essential but are more profuse on
females than on males.
Head: (a) Conformation - Skull is wedge-shaped, broad, slightly crowned, not round or apple-
headed, and should form an equilateral triangle on lines between the inner base of the ears and
the central point of the stop. Muzzle - Muzzle of medium length and medium width, neither
coarse nor snipy; should taper toward the nose and be in proportion to the size of the dog and the
width of skull. The muzzle must have depth. Whiskers are not to be removed. Stop - Not too
abrupt, nevertheless well defined. Lips - Should be black for preference and slightly curved up at
the corners of the mouth, giving the "Samoyed smile." Lip lines should not have the appearance
of being coarse nor should the flews drop predominately at corners of the mouth. Ears - Strong
and thick, erect, triangular and slightly rounded at the tips; should not be large or pointed, nor
should they be small and "bear-eared." Ears should conform to head size and the size of the dog;
they should be set well apart but be within the border of the outer edge of the head; they should
be mobile and well covered inside with hair; hair full and stand-off before the ears. Length of ear
should be the same measurement as the distance from inner base of ear to outer corner of eye.
Eyes - Should be dark for preference; should be placed well apart and deep-set; almond shaped
with lower lid slanting toward an imaginary point approximately the base of ears. Dark eye rims
for preference. Round or protruding eyes penalized. Blue eyes disqualifying. Nose - Black for
preference but brown, liver, or Dudley nose not penalized. Color of nose sometimes changes
with age and weather. Jaws and Teeth - Strong, well-set teeth, snugly overlapping with scissors
bite. Undershot or overshot should be penalized.
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(b) Expression - The expression, referred to as "Samoyed expression," is very important and is
indicated by sparkle of the eyes, animation and lighting up of the face when alert or intent on
anything. Expression is made up of a combination of eyes, ears and mouth. The ears should be
erect when alert; the mouth should be slightly curved up at the corners to form the "Samoyed
smile."
Torso: (a) Neck - Strong, well muscled, carried proudly erect, set on sloping shoulders to carry
head with dignity when at attention. Neck should blend into shoulders with a graceful arch.
(b) Chest - Should be deep, with ribs well sprung out from the spine and flattened at the sides to
allow proper movement of the shoulders and freedom for the front legs. Should not be barrel-
chested. Perfect depth of chest approximates the point of elbows, and the deepest part of the
chest should be back of the forelegs-near the ninth rib. Heart and lung room are secured more by
body depth than width.
(c) Loin and Back - The withers forms the highest part of the back. Loins strong and slightly
arched. The back should be straight to the loin, medium in length, very muscular and neither
long nor short-coupled. The dog should be "just off square"-the length being approximately 5
percent more than the height. Females allowed to be slightly longer than males. The belly should
be well shaped and tightly muscled and, with the rear of the thorax, should swing up in a
pleasing curve (tuck-up). Croup must be full, slightly sloping, and must continue imperceptibly
to the tail root.
Tail: The tail should be moderately long with the tail bone terminating approximately at the
hock when down. It should be profusely covered with long hair and carried forward over the
back or side when alert, but sometimes dropped when at rest. It should not be high or low set and
should be mobile and loose-not tight over the back. A double hook is a fault. A judge should see
the tail over the back once when judging.
Disposition: Intelligent, gentle, loyal, adaptable, alert, full of action, eager to serve, friendly but
conservative, not distrustful or shy, not overly aggressive. Unprovoked aggressiveness is to be
severely penalized.
Disqualifications: Any color other than pure white, cream, biscuit, or white and biscuit. Blue
eyes.
Approved August 10, 1993
Effective September 29, 1993

Reading of the AKC Chinese Crested Standard

Official Standard of the Chinese Crested
General Appearance: A toy dog, fine-boned, elegant and graceful. The distinct varieties are born in the same litter. The Hairless with hair only on the head, tail and feet and the Powderpuff, completely covered with hair. The breed serves as a loving companion, playful and entertaining.

Size, Proportion, Substance: Size - Ideally 11 to 13 inches. However, dogs that are slightly larger or smaller may be given full consideration. Proportion - rectangular-proportioned to allow for freedom of movement. Body length from withers to base of tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers. Substance - Fine-boned and slender but not so refined as to appear breakable or alternatively not a robust, heavy structure.

Head: Expression - Alert and intense. Eyes - Almond-shaped, set wide apart. Dark-colored dogshave dark-colored eyes, and lighter-colored dogs may have lighter-colored eyes. Eye rims match the coloring of the dog. Ears - Uncropped large and erect, placed so that the base of the ear is level with the outside corner of the eye. Skull - The skull is arched gently over the occiput from ear to ear. Distance from occiput to stop equal to distance from stop to tip of nose. The head is wedge-shaped viewed from above and the side. Stop - Slight but distinct. Muzzle - Cheeks taper cleanly into the muzzle. Nose - Dark in dark-colored dogs; may be lighter in lighter-colored
dogs. Pigment is solid. Lips - Lips are clean and tight. Bite - Scissors or level in both varieties. Missing teeth in the Powderpuff are to be faulted. The Hairless variety is not to be penalized for absence of full dentition.
Neck, Topline, Body: Neck - Neck is lean and clean, slightly arched from the withers to the base of the skull and carried high. Topline - Level to slightly sloping croup. Body - Brisket extends to the elbow. Breastbone is not prominent. Ribs are well developed. The depth of the chest tapers to a moderate tuck-up at the flanks. Light in loin. Tail - Tail is slender and tapers to a curve. It is long enough to reach the hock. When dog is in motion, the tail is carried gaily and may be carried slightly forward over the back. At rest the tail is down with a slight curve upward at the end resembling a sickle. In the Hairless variety, two-thirds of the end of the tail is covered by long, flowing feathering referred to as a plume. The Powderpuff variety's tail is completely covered with hair.
Forequarters: Angulation - Layback of shoulders is 45 degrees to point of shoulder allowing for good reach. Shoulders - Clean and narrow. Elbows - Close to body. Legs - Long, slender and straight. Pasterns - Upright, fine and strong. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet - Hare foot, narrow with elongated toes. Nails are trimmed to moderate length.
Hindquarters: Angulation - Stifle moderately angulated. From hock joint to ground
perpendicular. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet - Same as forequarters.
Coat: The Hairless variety has hair on certain portions of the body: the head (called a crest), the tail (called a plume) and the feet from the toes to the front pasterns and rear hock joints (called socks). The texture of all hair is soft and silky, flowing to any length. Placement of hair is not as important as overall type. Areas that have hair usually taper off slightly. Wherever the body is hairless, the skin is soft and smooth. Head crest begins at the stop and tapers off between the

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base of the skull and the back of the neck. Hair on the ears and face is permitted on the Hairless and may be trimmed for neatness in both varieties. Tail plume is described under Tail. The Powderpuff variety is completely covered with a double soft and silky coat. Close examination reveals long thin guard hairs over the short silky undercoat. The coat is straight, of moderate density and length. Excessively heavy, kinky or curly coat is to be penalized. Grooming is minimal-consisting of presenting a clean and neat appearance.
Color: Any color or combination of colors.
Gait: Lively, agile and smooth without being stilted or hackneyed. Comes and goes at a trot moving in a straight line.
Temperament: Gay and alert.
Approved June 12, 1990
Effective April 1, 1991

Closing out 2024 and Planning/Goal Setting for 2025

In this episode, Vicki discusses the importance of reflecting on your previous goals and ways to effectively set goals for the upcoming year without it feeling daunting or overwhelming.

Reading of the AKC Basset Hound Standard

Official Standard for the Basset Hound
General Appearance: The Basset Hound possesses in marked degree those characteristics
which equip it admirably to follow a trail over and through difficult terrain. It is a short-legged
dog, heavier in bone, size considered, than any other breed of dog, and while its movement is
deliberate, it is in no sense clumsy. In temperament it is mild, never sharp or timid. It is capable
of great endurance in the field and is extreme in its devotion.
Head: The head is large and well proportioned. Its length from occiput to muzzle is greater than
the width at the brow. In overall appearance the head is of medium width. The skull is well
domed, showing a pronounced occipital protuberance. A broad flat skull is a fault. The length
from nose to stop is approximately the length from stop to occiput. The sides are flat and free
from cheek bumps. Viewed in profile the top lines of the muzzle and skull are straight and lie in
parallel planes, with a moderately defined stop. The skin over the whole of the head is loose,
falling in distinct wrinkles over the brow when the head is lowered. A dry head and tight skin are
faults. The muzzle is deep, heavy, and free from snipiness. The nose is darkly pigmented,
preferably black, with large wide-open nostrils. A deep liver-colored nose conforming to the
coloring of the head is permissible but not desirable. The teeth are large, sound, and regular,
meeting in either a scissors or an even bite. A bite either overshot or undershot is a serious fault.
The lips are darkly pigmented and are pendulous, falling squarely in front and, toward the back,
in loose hanging flews. The dewlap is very pronounced. The neck is powerful, of good length,
and well arched. The eyes are soft, sad, and slightly sunken, showing a prominent haw, and in
color are brown, dark brown preferred. A somewhat lighter-colored eye conforming to the
general coloring of the dog is acceptable but not desirable. Very light or protruding eyes are
faults. The ears are extremely long, low set, and when drawn forward, fold well over the end of
the nose. They are velvety in texture, hanging in loose folds with the ends curling slightly
inward. They are set far back on the head at the base of the skull and, in repose, appear to be set
on the neck. A high set or flat ear is a serious fault.
Forequarters: The chest is deep and full with prominent sternum showing clearly in front of the
legs. The shoulders and elbows are set close against the sides of the chest. The distance from the
deepest point of the chest to the ground, while it must be adequate to allow free movement when
working in the field, is not to be more than one-third the total height at the withers of an adult
Basset. The shoulders are well laid back and powerful. Steepness in shoulder, fiddle fronts, and
elbows that are out, are serious faults. The forelegs are short, powerful, heavy in bone, with
wrinkled skin. Knuckling over of the front legs is a disqualification. The paw is massive, very
heavy with tough heavy pads, well rounded and with both feet inclined equally a trifle outward,
balancing the width of the shoulders. Feet down at the pastern are a serious fault. The toes are
neither pinched together nor splayed, with the weight of the forepart of the body borne evenly on
each. The dewclaws may be removed.
Body: The rib structure is long, smooth, and extends well back. The ribs are well sprung,
allowing adequate room for heart and lungs. Flatsidedness and flanged ribs are faults. The
topline is straight, level, and free from any tendency to sag or roach, which are faults.
Hindquarters: The hindquarters are very full and well rounded, and are approximately equal to
the shoulders in width. They must not appear slack or light in relation to the overall depth of the
body. The dog stands firmly on its hind legs showing a well-let-down stifle with no tendency
toward a crouching stance. Viewed from behind, the hind legs are parallel, with the hocks
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turning neither in nor out. Cowhocks or bowed legs are serious faults. The hind feet point
straight ahead. Steep, poorly angulated hindquarters are a serious fault. The dewclaws, if any,
may be removed.
Tail: The tail is not to be docked, and is set in continuation of the spine with but slight curvature,
and carried gaily in hound fashion. The hair on the underside of the tail is coarse.
Size: The height should not exceed 14 inches. Height over 15 inches at the highest point of the
shoulder blade is a disqualification.
Gait: The Basset Hound moves in a smooth, powerful, and effortless manner. Being a scenting
dog with short legs, it holds its nose low to the ground. Its gait is absolutely true with perfect
coordination between the front and hind legs, and it moves in a straight line with hind feet
following in line with the front feet, the hocks well bent with no stiffness of action. The front
legs do not paddle, weave, or overlap, and the elbows must lie close to the body. Going away,
the hind legs are parallel.
Coat: The coat is hard, smooth, and short, with sufficient density to be of use in all weather. The
skin is loose and elastic. A distinctly long coat is a disqualification.
Color: Any recognized hound color is acceptable and the distribution of color and markings is of
no importance.
Disqualifications: Height of more than 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulder blade.
Knuckled over front legs. Distinctly long coat.
Approved January 14, 1964

Reading of the AKC Vizsla Standard

Official Standard for the Vizsla
General Appearance: That of a medium-sized, short-coated, hunting dog of distinguishedappearance and bearing. Robust but rather lightly built, the coat is an attractive shaded goldenrust. Originating in Hungary, the Vizsla was bred to work in field, forest and water. Agile andenergetic, this is a versatile dog of power, drive and endurance in the field yet a tractable andaffectionate companion in the home. It is strongly emphasized that field conditioned coats, aswell as brawny or sinewy muscular condition and honorable scars indicating a working and hunting dog are never to be penalized in this dog. The requisite instincts and abilities to maintain
a "dual dog" are always to be fostered and appreciated, never deprecated.
Head: Lean and muscular. Skull moderately wide between the ears with a median line down the forehead. Stop between skull and foreface is moderate. Foreface or muzzle is of equal length or slightly shorter than skull when viewed in profile, should taper gradually from stop to tip of nose. Muzzle square and deep. It should not turn up as in a "dish" face nor should it turn down.
Whiskers serve a functional purpose; their removal is permitted but not preferred. Nostrilsslightly open. Nose self-colored. Any other color is faulty. A partially or completely black nose is a disqualification. Freckles due to aging or sun exposure are not to be faulted. Ears, thin, silky and proportionately long, with rounded-leather ends, set fairly low and hanging close to cheeks.
Jaws are strong with well developed white teeth meeting in a scissors bite. Eyes medium in size and depth of setting, their surrounding tissue covering the whites. Color of the iris should blend with the color of the coat. Yellow or any other color is faulty. Prominent pop eyes are faulty.
Lower eyelids should neither turn in nor out since both conditions allow seeds and dust to irritate the eye. Lips cover the jaws completely but are neither loose nor pendulous.
Neck and Body: Neck strong, smooth and muscular, moderately long, arched and devoid of dewlap, broadening nicely into shoulders which are moderately laid back. This is mandatory to maintain balance with the moderately angulated hindquarters. Body is strong and well proportioned. Withers high. While the Vizsla may appear square, when measured from point of breastbone to point of buttocks and from the highest point over the shoulder blades to the ground, the Vizsla is slightly longer than tall. A proper proportion of leg length to body length is
essential to the desired overall balance of the Vizsla. The Vizsla should not appear long and low or tall and leggy. Backline firm with a slight rise over a short and well muscled loin. The croup is gently rounded to the set on of the tail and is not steep, sunken or flat. When moving at a trot, a properly built Vizsla maintains a steady, level backline. Chest moderately broad and deep reaching down to the elbows. Ribs well-sprung and carried well back; underline exhibiting a slight tuck-up beneath the loin. Tail set just below the level of the croup, thicker at the root and docked one-third off. Ideally, it should reach to the back of the stifle joint and when moving it should be carried at or near the horizontal, not vertically or curled over the back, nor between the legs. A docked tail is preferred.
Forequarters: Shoulder blades proportionately long and wide sloping moderately back and fairly close at the top. Upper arm is about equal in length to the shoulder blade in order to allow for good extension. Forelegs straight and muscular with elbows close. Feet cat-like, round and compact with toes close. Nails brown and short. Pads thick and tough. The removal of dewclaws,
 f any, on front and rear feet, is strongly recommended, in order to avoid injury when running in the field.

Hindquarters: Hind legs have well developed thighs with moderately angulated stifles and
hocks in balance with the moderately laid back shoulders. They must be straight as viewed from
behind. Too much angulation at the hocks is as faulty as too little. The hocks are let down and
parallel to each other.
Coat: Short, smooth, dense and close-lying, without woolly undercoat. A distinctly long coat is a
disqualification.
Color: Golden rust in varying shades. Lighter shadings over the sides of the neck and shoulders
giving the appearance of a "saddle" are common. Solid dark mahogany and pale yellow are
faulty. White on the forechest, preferably as small as possible, and white on the toes are
permissible. Solid white extending above the toes or white anywhere else on the dog except the
forechest is a disqualification. When viewing the dog from the front, white markings on the
forechest must be confined to an area from the top of the sternum to a point between the elbows
when the dog is standing naturally. White extending on the shoulders or neck is a
disqualification. White due to aging or scarring must not be faulted. The Vizsla is self-colored,
with the color of the eyes, eye-rims, lips, nose, toenails and pads of feet blending with the color
of the coat.
Gait: Far reaching, light footed, graceful and smooth. When moving at a fast trot, a properly
built dog single tracks.
Size: The ideal male is 22 to 24 inches at the highest point over the shoulder blades. The ideal
female is 21 to 23 inches. Because the Vizsla is meant to be a medium-sized hunter, any dog
measuring more than 1½ inches over or under these limits must be disqualified.
Temperament: A natural hunter endowed with a good nose and above-average ability to take
training. Lively, gentle-mannered, demonstrably affectionate and sensitive though fearless with a
well developed protective instinct. Shyness, timidity or nervousness should be penalized.
The foregoing describes the ideal Vizsla. Any deviation from this ideal must be penalized to the
extent of the deviation. Deviations that impact performance and function should be considered
more serious than those that affect only appearance.
Disqualifications: Partially or completely black nose. Solid white extending above the toes or
white anywhere else on the dog except the forechest. White extending on the shoulders or neck. A
distinctly long coat. Any male over 25½ inches, or under 20½ inches and any female over 24½
inches or under 19½ inches at the highest point over the shoulder blades.
Approved January 13, 2009
Effective April 1, 2009