The Conformation Conversation

Redefining Winning - A Discussion with Mindset Coach Rebecca Lanier

In this discussion, Show Dog Prep School Founder and Lead Instructor, Vicki Ronchette talks with Mindset Coach, Rebecca Lanier, LMFT about how redefining winning in order to help people cope with performance anxiety and ring stress. 

Reading of the AKC Official French Bulldog Standard

Official Standard of the French Bulldog
General Appearance: The French Bulldog has the appearance of an active, intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone, smooth coat, compactly built, and of medium or small structure. The hallmarks of the breed are the square head with bat ears and the roach back. Expression alert, curious, and interested. Proportion and Symmetry - All points are well distributed and bear good relation one to the other; no feature being in such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears poorly proportioned. Influence of Sex - In comparing specimens of different sex, due allowance is to be made in favor of bitches, which do not bear the characteristics of the breed to the same marked degree as do the dogs.
Size, Proportion, Substance: Weight not to exceed 28 pounds; over 28 pounds is a disqualification. Proportion - Distance from withers to ground in good relation to distance from withers to onset of tail, so that animal appears compact, well balanced and in good proportion. Substance - Muscular, heavy bone.
Head: Head large and square. Eyes dark, brown or approaching black in color, wide apart, set low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, round in form, of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging. Lighter brown colored eyes are acceptable, but not desirable. Blue or green eye(s) or any traces of blue or green are a disqualification. No haw and no white of the eye showing when looking forward. Ears - Known as the bat ear, broad at the base, elongated, with round top, set high on the head but not too close together, and carried erect with the orifice to the front. The leather of the ear fine and soft. Other than bat ears is a disqualification. The top of the skull flat between the ears; the forehead is not flat but slightly rounded. The muzzle broad, deep and well laid back; the muscles of the cheeks well developed. The stop well defined, causing a hollow groove between the eyes with heavy wrinkles forming a soft roll over the extremely short nose; nostrils broad with a well-defined line between them. Nose black. Nose other than black is a disqualification, except in the case of creams or fawns without black masks, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable but not desirable. Flews black, thick and broad, hanging over the lower jaw at the sides, meeting the underlip in front and covering the teeth and tongue, which are not seen when the mouth is closed. The underjaw is deep, square, broad, undershot and well turned up. Wry mouths and any bites other than undershot are serious faults.
Neck, Topline, Body: The neck is thick and well arched with loose skin at the throat. The back is a roach back with a slight fall close behind the shoulders, gradually rising to the loin which is higher than the shoulder, and rounding at the croup. The back is strong and short, broader at the shoulders, and tapering to the rear. The body is short and well rounded. The chest is broad, deep, and full; well ribbed with the belly tucked up. The tail is either straight or screwed (but not curly), short, hung low, thick root and fine tip; carried low in repose.
Forequarters: Forelegs are short, stout, straight, muscular and set wide apart. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails.
Hindquarters: Hind legs are strong and muscular, longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks well let down. Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails; hind feet slightly longer than forefeet.
Coat: Coat is brilliant, short and smooth. Skin is soft and loose, especially at the head and shoulders, forming wrinkles. Coats other than short and smooth are a disqualification.
Color: Acceptable colors: white, cream, fawn (ranging from light fawn to a red fawn), or any combinations of the foregoing. Markings and patterns are: brindle, piebald, black masks, black

shadings, and white markings. Ticking is acceptable but not desired. Brindle ranges from sparse but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely shows through (“black brindle”). Only a trace of the background color is necessary; in a brindle piebald, a trace of the brindle patterning in any patch is sufficient. All other colors, markings or patterns are a disqualification. Disqualifying colors and patterns include, but are not limited to, solid black, black and tan, black and white, white with black, blue, blue fawn, liver, and merle. Black means black without a trace of brindle.

Gait: Correct gait is a “four tracking” foot pattern with the front track wider than the rear track. The movement should have reach and drive and is unrestrained, free and vigorous. Temperament: Well behaved, adaptable, and comfortable companions with an affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active, alert, and playful, but not unduly boisterous. Disqualifications:

• Over 28 pounds in weight.

• Blue or green eye(s) or any traces of blue or green.

• Other than bat ears.

• Nose other than black, except in the case of cream or fawn colored dogs without black

  masks, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable.

• Coats other than short and smooth.

• All coat colors other than those specifically described (e.g.,Solid black, black and tan,

  black and white, white and black, blue, blue fawn, liver, and merle). Black means black without a trace of brindle. All other patterns and markings other than specifically described.

  Approved April 10, 2018 Effective June 5, 2018

Breeder of Influence Interview with Karen Oglesby of Ka’Roo Silky Terriers

Show Dog Prep School Founder and Lead Instructor, Vicki Ronchette interviews Silky Terrier breeder Karen Oglesby.

The Reading of the AKC Doberman Pinscher standard.

Official Standard of the Doberman Pinscher
General Appearance: The appearance is that of a dog of medium size, with a body that is
square. Compactly built, muscular and powerful, for great endurance and speed. Elegant in
appearance, of proud carriage, reflecting great nobility and temperament. Energetic, watchful,
determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient.
Size, Proportion, Substance: Height at the withers: Dogs 26 to 28 inches, ideal about 27½
inches; Bitches 24 to 26 inches, ideal about 25½ inches. The height, measured vertically from the
ground to the highest point of the withers, equaling the length measured horizontally from the
forechest to the rear projection of the upper thigh. Length of head, neck and legs in proportion to
length and depth of body.
Head: Long and dry, resembling a blunt wedge in both frontal and profile views. When seen
from the front, the head widens gradually toward the base of the ears in a practically unbroken
line. Eyes almond shaped, moderately deep set, with vigorous, energetic expression. Iris, of
uniform color, ranging from medium to darkest brown in black dogs; in reds, blues, and fawns
the color of the iris blends with that of the markings, the darkest shade being preferable in every
case. Ears normally cropped and carried erect. The upper attachment of the ear, when held erect,
is on a level with the top of the skull. Top of skull flat, turning with slight stop to bridge of
muzzle, with muzzle line extending parallel to top line of skull. Cheeks flat and muscular. Nose
solid black on black dogs, dark brown on red ones, dark gray on blue ones, dark tan on fawns.
Lips lying close to jaws. Jaws full and powerful, well filled under the eyes. Teeth strongly
developed and white. Lower incisors upright and touching inside of upper incisors a true scissors
bite. 42 correctly placed teeth, 22 in the lower, 20 in the upper jaw. Distemper teeth shall not be
penalized. Disqualifying Fault - Overshot more than 3/16 of an inch. Undershot more than ⅛ of
an inch. Four or more missing teeth.
Neck, Topline, Body: Neck proudly carried, well muscled and dry. Well arched, with nape of
neck widening gradually toward body. Length of neck proportioned to body and head. Withers
pronounced and forming the highest point of the body. Back short, firm, of sufficient width, and
muscular at the loins, extending in a straight line from withers to the slightly rounded croup.
Chest broad with forechest well defined. Ribs well sprung from the spine, but flattened in lower
end to permit elbow clearance. Brisket reaching deep to the elbow. Belly well tucked up,
extending in a curved line from the brisket. Loins wide and muscled. Hips broad and in
proportion to body, breadth of hips being approximately equal to breadth of body at rib cage and
shoulders. Tail docked at approximately second joint, appears to be a continuation of the spine,
and is carried only slightly above the horizontal when the dog is alert.
Forequarters: Shoulder Blade-sloping forward and downward at a 45-degree angle to the
ground meets the upper arm at an angle of 90 degrees. Length of shoulder blade and upper arm
are equal. Height from elbow to withers approximately equals height from ground to elbow. Legs
seen from front and side, perfectly straight and parallel to each other from elbow to pastern;
muscled and sinewy, with heavy bone. In normal pose and when gaiting, the elbows lie close to
the brisket. Pasterns firm and almost perpendicular to the ground. Dewclaws may be removed.
Feet well arched, compact, and catlike, turning neither in nor out.
Hindquarters: The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of the forequarters. Hip bone
falls away from spinal column at an angle of about 30 degrees, producing a slightly rounded,
well filled-out croup. Upper shanks at right angles to the hip bones, are long, wide, and well
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muscled on both sides of thigh, with clearly defined stifles. Upper and lower shanks are of equal
length. While the dog is at rest, hock to heel is perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the
rear, the legs are straight, parallel to each other, and wide enough apart to fit in with a properly
built body. Dewclaws, if any, are generally removed. Cat feet as on front legs, turning neither in
nor out.
Coat: Smooth-haired, short, hard, thick and close lying. Invisible gray undercoat on neck
permissible.
Color and Markings: Allowed Colors-Black, red, blue, and fawn (Isabella). Markings-Rust,
sharply defined, appearing above each eye and on muzzle, throat and forechest, on all legs and
feet, and below tail. White patch on chest, not exceeding ½ square inch, permissible.
Disqualifying Fault - Dogs not of an allowed color.
Gait: Free, balanced, and vigorous, with good reach in the forequarters and good driving power
in the hindquarters. When trotting, there is strong rear-action drive. Each rear leg moves in line
with the foreleg on the same side. Rear and front legs are thrown neither in nor out. Back
remains strong and firm. When moving at a fast trot, a properly built dog will single-track.
Temperament: Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient. The judge
shall dismiss from the ring any shy or vicious Doberman. Shyness-A dog shall be judged
fundamentally shy if, refusing to stand for examination, it shrinks away from the judge; if it fears
an approach from the rear; if it shies at sudden and unusual noises to a marked degree.
Viciousness-A dog that attacks or attempts to attack either the judge or its handler, is definitely
vicious. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs shall not be deemed
viciousness.
Faults: The foregoing description is that of the ideal Doberman Pinscher. Any deviation from
the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
Disqualifications: Overshot more than 3/16 of an inch, undershot more than ⅛ of an inch. Four
or more missing teeth. Dogs not of an allowed color.
Approved February 6, 1982
Reformatted November 6, 1990

Breeder of Influence Interview with Kay Peiser

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor interviews Kay Peiser of Kaylen's Chinese Cresteds, Standard Poodles and Boxers. 

A From Shy to Showy Interview with Kate Obitz

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor Vicki Ronchette interviews Kate Obitz on her progress and success with Vicki's From Shy to Showy program.

Handing off the Torch to New Breeders with Laura Reeves

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor Vicki Ronchette discusses handing off the torch to new breeders with Laura Reeves. 

What a Mentorship should be and what a Mentorship shouldn’t be

Vicki discusses what a healthy, mutually beneficial mentorship might look like.

Breeder of Influence Interview with Sandra Pretari Hickson of King’s Mtn Dandies

SDPS Founder and Lead Instructor interviews Dandie Dinmont Terrier breeder, Sandra Pretari Hicks of King's Mtn Dandies.

The Reading of the AKC Border Collie Breed Standard

Official Standard of the Border Collie

Preamble: The Border Collie originated in the Border country between Scotland and England where the shepherds' breeding selection was based on biddable stock sense and the ability to work long days on rugged terrain. As a result of this selective breeding, the Border Collie developed the unique working style of gathering and fetching the stock with wide sweeping outruns. The stock is then controlled with an intense gaze known as "eye", coupled with a stalking style of movement. This selective breeding over time developed the Border Collie's intensity, energy and trainability which are features so important that they are equal to physical size and appearance. The Border Collie has extraordinary instinct and an uncanny ability to reason. One of its greatest assets is the ability to work out of sight of its master without commands. Breeding based on this working ability has made this breed the world's premier sheep herding dog, a job the Border Collie is still used for worldwide.

General Appearance: The Border Collie is a well balanced, medium-sized dog of athletic appearance, displaying gracefulness, power and agility in equal measure. Its hard, muscular body conveys the impression of effortless movement and endless endurance. The Border Collie is extremely intelligent, with its keen, alert expression being a very important characteristic of the breed. Those aspects of structure, movement or temperament that enhance the dog's ability to function as a herding dog are virtues that should be strongly rewarded. The Border Collie is, and should remain, a natural and unspoiled true working sheep dog whose conformation is described herein. Honorable scars and broken teeth incurred in the line of duty are acceptable.
Size, Proportion, Substance: The height at the withers varies from 19 to 22 inches for males, 18 to 21 inches for females. When viewed from the side, the body from the point of shoulder to point of buttocks is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The length to height ratio is approximately 10:9. Correct bone must be moderate, strong and oval. Overall balance between height, length, weight and bone is crucial and is more important than any absolute measurement. Dogs must be presented in hard working condition. Excess body weight is not to be mistaken for muscle or substance.
Head: Expression is intelligent, alert, eager, and full of interest. Eyes are set well apart, of moderate size, oval in shape. Any eye color is acceptable, but blue eyes in dogs other than merle are not preferred. Eye rims should be fully pigmented. Ears are of medium size, set well apart, one or both carried erect and/or semi-erect (varying from one-quarter to three-quarters of the ear erect). When semi-erect, the tips may fall forward or outward to the side. Ears are sensitive and mobile. Skull is relatively flat and moderate in width. The skull and muzzle are approximately equal in length. In profile the top of the skull is parallel with the top of the muzzle. Stop moderate, but distinct. The muzzle is strong, tapering slightly to the nose. The sides of the head should taper smoothly into the muzzle. The underjaw is strong and well developed. Nose should be fully pigmented. Nostrils are well developed. A full complement of strong healthy teeth should meet in a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline, Body: Neck is of proportional length to the body, strong and muscular, slightly arched and blending smoothly into the shoulders. Topline - Back is level with a slight muscular rise over the loin, falling to a gently sloping croup. Body is athletic in appearance with a deep, moderately broad chest reaching no further than the point of the elbow. The rib cage is moderately long with well sprung ribs. Loin is moderately deep and short. Underline should have a slight but distinct tuck up. The tail is set on low and is moderately long with the bone reaching

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at least to the hock. The ideal tail carriage is low when the dog is concentrating on a given task and may have a slight upward swirl at the end like a shepherd's crook. In excitement it may be raised, but the base of the tail should not curve forward over the back.
Forequarters: Forelegs should be parallel when viewed from front, pasterns slightly sloping when viewed from side. Because sufficient length of leg is crucial for the type of work the breed is required to do, the distance from the wither to the elbow is slightly less than from the elbow to the ground. The shoulder blades are long and well laid back. Shoulder blades and upper arms are equal in length and meet in a right angle as nearly as possible. The prosternum is easily felt but not pronounced. There is sufficient width between the tops of the shoulder blades to allow for the characteristic crouch when approaching and moving stock. The elbows are neither in nor out. Feet are compact, oval in shape; pads deep and strong, toes moderately arched and close together with strong nails of moderate length. Dewclaws may be removed.

Hindquarters: Broad and muscular, in profile sloping gracefully to the low set tail. The thighs are long, broad, deep and muscular. Stifles are well turned with strong well let down hocks. Proper length of hock is approximately one-quarter to one-third the height of the dog. When standing with the hocks perpendicular to the ground the toes of the rear feet should be in line with the point of buttock. Rear feet should be parallel, but may toe out slightly when freestanding. Feet are compact, oval in shape; pads deep and strong, toes moderately arched and close together with strong nails of moderate length. Dewclaws should be removed.

Coat: Two varieties are permissible, both having close-fitting, dense, weather resistant double coats with the top coat either straight or slightly wavy and coarser in texture than the undercoat which is soft, short and dense. The rough variety coat may vary in length without being excessive. Proper texture is more important than length. Forelegs, haunches, chest and underside are feathered and the coat on face, ears, feet, fronts of legs is short and smooth. The smooth variety is short over entire body, is usually coarser in texture than the rough variety and may have slight feathering on forelegs, haunches, chest and ruff. Neither coat type is preferred over the other. Seasonal shedding is normal and must not be penalized. Excess hair on the feet, hock and pastern areas may be neatened for the show ring. Whiskers are untrimmed. Dogs should be presented naturally, without excessive trimming or sculpting.

Color: The Border Collie appears in all colors or combination of colors and/or markings. All colors are to be judged equally with no one color or pattern preferred over another. White markings may be clear white or ticked to any degree. Random white patches on the body are permissible but should not predominate. The predominant ear color should match the primary body color. Color and markings are always secondary to physical evaluation and gait.

Gait: The Border Collie is an agile dog, able to suddenly change speed and direction while maintaining balance and grace. Endurance is its trademark. The head is carried level with or slightly below the withers. When shown, Border Collies should move on a loose lead and at moderate speed, never raced around the ring with the head held high. When viewed from the side the trot covers the ground effortlessly with minimum lift of feet. The topline is firm with no roll or bounce. Front reach and rear drive are symmetrical, with the front foot meeting the ground directly under the nose and the rear foot pushing back without kicking up. When the rear foot is coming forward, it should reach to the spot just vacated by the front foot. Viewed from the front, action is forward and true without wasted motion. Viewed from the rear, hindquarters drive with thrust and flexibility with hocks turning neither in nor out, moving close together but never

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touching. The legs, both front and rear, tend to converge toward the center line as speed increases. Exaggerated movement is not efficient, and therefore is not useful to the Border Collie.
Temperament: The Border Collie is energetic, intelligent, keen, alert, and responsive. An intense worker of great tractability, it is affectionate towards friends but may be sensibly reserved towards strangers. When approached, the Border Collie should stand its ground. It should be alert and interested, never showing shyness, fear, dullness or resentment.

Faults: Any deviation from the foregoing should be considered a fault, the seriousness of the fault depending upon the extent of the deviation, and the degree to which working ability would be impacted.

Approved: April 21, 2015 Effective: July 1, 2015