How to accurately describe breed standards, size, and conformation traits

In ethical dog breeding, the official breed standard serves as the guiding North Star. Breed standards define the ideal structure, proportion, gait, and temperament required for a dog to fulfill its historical purpose safely and soundly.

When creating dog listings on BreedBuddies, providing precise, objective descriptions of your dog's conformation and traits ensures compatible pairings that improve breed quality.

1. Conformation and Structural Accuracy

Avoid vague superlatives like "perfect structure" or "flawless dog." Ethical breeders appreciate honest, technical descriptions:

• Proportions: Note whether your dog is square (e.g., Boxer, Schnauzer) or slightly longer than tall (e.g., Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog).
• Bone & Substance: Describe bone density (moderate, heavy, refined) relative to the breed standard.
• Topline & Angulation: Comment on front shoulder layback, reach and drive in movement, and rear stifle angulation.
• Dentition: Specify whether your dog has full dentition and a correct scissor bite, level bite, or reverse scissor bite as dictated by the breed standard.

2. Coat Colour Genetics & Testing

In breeds with diverse coat colours, patterns, or textures (such as Australian Shepherds, Poodles, Dachshunds, and French Bulldogs), genetic colour compatibility is vital to avoid lethal genetic combinations:

• Record official colour designations matching pedigree registration.
• Document DNA colour alleles (e.g., E locus, B locus, D locus dilute, M locus merle).
• Welfare Alert: Never pair two dogs carrying the Merle gene ($M/m \times M/m$), as double merle pairings cause severe congenital deafness and microphthalmia (blindness). Documenting DNA coat traits on BreedBuddies safeguards against accidental double-merle matings.

3. Conformation Thresholds & Functional Health in Brachycephalic Breeds

In brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds – including French Bulldogs, British Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers – breed standards must be evaluated through a health-first lens to prevent exaggerated features that compromise canine welfare:

• Muzzle & Airway Proportions: The muzzle length should represent at least one-third of the total skull length. Nares (nostrils) must be open and patent rather than pinched or slit-like.
• Eyes & Orbits: Eyes must sit comfortably within the orbital sockets without excessive protrusion. Dogs with cherry eye, chronic corneal ulcers, or eyelid surgeries (entropion/ectropion correction) must not be bred.
• Spine & Tail Conformation: The tail must not be tightly corkscrewed, embedded, or inverted. Dogs must possess functional spinal alignment free from debilitating hemivertebrae.
• Skin & Neck: Moderate neck length and minimal facial skin folds without evidence of intertrigo (chronic fold dermatitis).
• Strict Breeding Thresholds: Any dog requiring surgical intervention to breathe, see, or ambulate normally – or exhibiting BOAS Grade 2 or 3 symptoms – must never be used in a breeding programme.

Updated on: 01/10/2026