Finding Breed Type Within Our Standard - Part I
By Roseann Fucillo
Published in June 2008 AKC GAZETTE

What is type? Is it possible to find Papillon type just from reading the breed standard?    Can we form an image or paint a picture of this breed type in our mind’s eye?  If so, then why do we see so many varied “types” being exhibited? 

Perhaps one reason is we have so many imported dogs judged and bred abroad by different breed standards. When bred to American lines, we see even more variations of “breed type. “ We are seeing a combination of what is being imported, currently being bred, and what breeders have to show at the moment.  Clearly, these are dogs that the breeders believe have merit, will enhance breed type, improve breeding programs, and advance the health of their bloodlines for future generations.

But to find type within the standard, breeders and judges should know how to interpret it without being overly influenced by the aesthetics of personal taste.  Beauty may be "in the eye of the beholder,” but with dog breeding, one’s opinion of beauty may not be another’s.  We can accept slight variations of breed type or style, so long as one’s own interpretation of the standard and their ideal doesn’t veer too far from that blue print. 

When a standard lacks specific language to illustrate breed type, it can lead to extremes in a breeding program.  Unfortunately, if these extremes are being rewarded, it will harm the future of the breed and change the breed's look. When we see exhibits with longer loins and over angulated rears, we're seeing a misinterpretation of the standard's statement about proportion: slightly longer than height at the withers.  An extreme interpretation of this is usually not elegant.  It involves shorter legs and heavier bones, and is not fine boned and dainty, as our standard stresses four times!  This look is exaggerated even further with incorrect necks that are too long and concave ("ewe necks"), or too short with seemingly no neck at all, and not the medium length described in the standard. 

The worst crime yet, is some of the extreme head styles we are starting to see.  Papillon heads should be beautiful!  Every feature should be placed and shaped properly with the right combination to give that sweet expression.  For this, a beautiful Papillon head should be rewarded, for it is not easy to breed.  Instead, many exhibits have long, coarse muzzles, sloping stops, and eyes that are set too closely, not level with the stop, not the correct round shape or dark color (so dark brown it is almost black), and don't possess black eye rim pigment, thus giving poor expressions.  

Judges, please don’t be fooled by gigantic ears! Many exhibits may not possess the correct set, or shape. Ears of the erect type must be set at a 45-degree angle when alert: round at the tip - not pointy, and wide at the base, not long and narrow like a donkey or rabbit!   Think of a butterfly, how it moves and the shape of its wings.  A Papillon’s ears are like that in every respect. We are seeing many incorrect ears in the ring, and there is a danger that if these dogs are bred we will lose the beauty from the correct Papillon head type.

Published with permission from the AKC GAZETTE.  This article is not to be copied whole or in part without written permission from the author.