Standards and Grades

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A Standard describes what the ideal dog of each breed should look like if such an animal existed. The AKC and UKC set Standards for each dog breed. How closely a purebred puppy measures up to Standard determines how much money a breeder can sell it for. Breeders usually classify puppies as either show puppies, working puppies, or pet puppies.

Show puppies are very close to Standard and are expected to win at the shows. You should only consider buying a show puppy if you plan to show it in many dog shows. Show puppies cost a great deal of money and you need to be certain you know what you're doing. (Call the AKC and request a copy of the Standard for your breed and study it.) Breeders are often reluctant to sell show puppies to novices -- people who are just getting started in the business. It takes a great deal of hard work to produce a show puppy and novices sometimes lose interest after a show or two and the puppy never earns the titles and awards it should have. Because a puppy's appearance changes as it grows, most dog fanciers, people who breed and show dogs, only buy show puppies that are six months or older.

Purebred puppies can compete in many different types of shows. While many of these shows judge dogs on appearance, some judge them on performance. Working puppies are bred for how well they perform in obedience and field trials. Working breeders want to sell puppies to people who will enter them in competitions where the puppies hunt, herd, and perform other activities. Working breeders try very hard to maintain a dog's original instricts. For example, if a dog is meant to retrieve hunting game after a hunter shoots it, they train the dog to be a top-notch retriever. The appearance of working puppies may not be close to Standard.

Pet or companion puppies fail to meet Standard in some major way that keeps them from ever winning in the show ring. The shade of a puppy's coat may be the wrong color, for example. Keep in mind that dog fanciers are picky people and a pet puppy is still a beautiful purebred. Never buy a sickly or timid puppy that a breeder says is a 'pet puppy.' Pet puppies should be playful and in good health.

Some breeders refuse to grade their puppies. They feel that labeling a puppy might limit its potential. These breeders simply sell all of their puppies to the best homes they can find.

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