ELIMINATING FAULTS
- (An Eliminating Fault is a Fault serious enough that it eliminates the dog from obtaining any awards in a conformation event.)
- Any disproportionate overdone characteristic (such as short legs, excessive bone or massive head or body) that would interfere with physical activity or working ability.
- Muzzle so short and blunt as to interfere with normal breathing.
- Front legs so bowed as to interfere with normal movement.
- Front legs (measured from elbow to ground) shorter than half the total height at the withers.
- Chest so wide as to interfere with normal movement.
- Bobbed tail.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
- (A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a bench show/conformation event, and must be reported to SKC/APBTC.)
- Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
- Viciousness or extreme shyness.
- Albinism.
- Merle.
- Unilateral or bilateral deafness.
- Long coat.
- Dwarfism
- Screw tail
- Blue eyes
- 2 Different colored eyes IF one eye is blue
Other Faults
Gate:
Faults: Legs not moving on the same plane; legs over reaching; legs crossing over in front or rear; rear legs moving too close or touching; rolling; pacing; paddling; sidewinding; hackney action; pounding.
Height And Weight:
Very Serious Fault: Excessively large or overly massive dogs and dogs with a height and/or weight so far from what is desired as to compromise health, structure, movement and physical ability.
Tail:
Hindquarters:
Faults: Narrow hindquarters; hindquarters shallow from pelvis to crotch; lack of muscle; straight or over angulated stifle joint; cow hocks; sickle hocks; bowed legs.
Body:
Forequarters:
Neck:
Head:
Faults: Legs not moving on the same plane; legs over reaching; legs crossing over in front or rear; rear legs moving too close or touching; rolling; pacing; paddling; sidewinding; hackney action; pounding.
Height And Weight:
Very Serious Fault: Excessively large or overly massive dogs and dogs with a height and/or weight so far from what is desired as to compromise health, structure, movement and physical ability.
Tail:
- Fault: Long tail (tail tip passes beyond point of hock).
- Serious Faults: Gay tail (not to be confused with challenge tail); kinked tail.
- Eliminating Fault: Bobbed tail.
- Disqualification: Screw tail.
Hindquarters:
Faults: Narrow hindquarters; hindquarters shallow from pelvis to crotch; lack of muscle; straight or over angulated stifle joint; cow hocks; sickle hocks; bowed legs.
Body:
- Very Serious Fault: Overly massive body style that impedes working ability.
- Eliminating Fault: Chest so wide as to interfere with normal movement.
Forequarters:
- Faults: Upright or loaded shoulders; elbows turned outward or tied-in; down at the pasterns; front legs bowed; wrists knuckled over; toeing in or out.
- Eliminating Faults: Front legs (measured from elbow to ground) shorter than half the total height at the withers. Front legs so bowed as to interfere with normal movement.
Neck:
- Faults: Neck too thin or weak; ewe neck; dewlap.
- Very Serious Fault: A short, thick neck that would interfere with functional ability.
Head:
- Very Serious Fault: Overly large, heavy heads.
- Faults: Snipey muzzle; flews; weak lower jaw.
- Eliminating Faults: Muzzle so short and blunt as to interfere with normal breathing.
- Fault: Level bite.
- Serious Faults: Undershot, or overshot bite; wry mouth; missing teeth