Insights Into Breed Standards Written by Dr Al Grossman and Reprinted with Permission
Breeders’ Briefcase by Amy & Bonnie Insights Into Breed Standards Written by Dr Al Grossman and reprinted with permission We have all heard a variety of finish its championship. references to soundness. It may be, “I It is practically impossible to divorce don’t care for so and so’s dog but he type from soundness completely, is sound”, or “isn’t so and so lovely, for it might be said that soundness and so sound too.” Various words have is the cause and type the effect. I been used to define “sound.” Some have always used the analogy from of them are (1) free from flaw, defect home building that soundness is or decay, undamaged or unimpaired, the basement and framework of (2) healthy, not weak or diseased, the building. Type is the goodies robust of body and mind. Continuing, added on to make it a livable house. there are flawless, perfect, sturdy, Expression, coat, etc. define your dependable, reliable, etc. Are you final impression of the dog. beginning to get the picture? It should be pointed out that a sound Most breeds have been bred for a dog is not necessarily championship purpose, and as such, is required to material, since the word “show” have the stamina and traits necessary itself connotes that a little more is to perform its function, coupled required. with the necessary instincts. Thus, soundness should mean that the Generally speaking, when a breeder animal is able to carry out the job for describes a sound specimen, he which it is intended. It should mean means a dog without a major fault.
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