Know Your Breed Standard

Expanding on the idea of buying a show dog, or raising a show dog is the importance to know what a show dog actually is structurally and what defines breed type. I know this seems like an obvious point to make, but is it really? I mean, we tell people to go to breeders and buy a 'quality' dog to realize their show dog dreams and then we hear of so many more who after months or years, proclaim indignantly, 'That breeder sold me a PET!'  I challenge you all to ask yourselves why is that happening? Why are we telling these folks to go to a 'reputable breeder', but it is practically unheard of to tell them to get a copy of their breed standard, read it, study it and make every effort to understand it before pulling out your wallet...?

It is reasonable to speculate a lot of purchasers who are starting out with their first dogs, really do not have much knowledge of their chosen breeds standard to begin with. This is a fundamental gap in the research process when looking This standard is after all the blueprint for the breed, and defines the breeds most important aspects. As we all know interpretation of these standards can be varied and widespread, but even a basic knowledge of the standard can go a long way.