What is Breed Type and How Do Breed Standards Change for Dogs?

In the last video, we discussed breed standards, their importance, and where they came from. If you recall, a breed standard is a set of guidelines or a blueprint that outlines an ideal breed type. But what is a breed type, and how is it different from a breed standard? We will find the answer to those questions, discuss how breed standards have changed over time, and look at some examples of how breed types, like the English Bulldog, have been affected by these changes.

Breed Type

A breed type contains all of the characteristics that are typical or ideal for any breed of domesticated animal, including appearance, character, condition, bone structure, temperament, and movement. Breed type usually takes into account the original work the breed was bred to do. There can be multiple breed types within a breed, and it is the role of a breeder to select the type when breeding their dogs. In dog shows, judges usually award the dog with the breed type that best exemplifies the breed standard.

Breed type is important for distinguishing one similar breed from another and is essential for evaluating a dog against its own breed standard. Without type, a breed's characteristics are lost. Dogs lacking type do not possess the key characteristics of a breed and, therefore, will not produce puppies that align with the standards. The ability to pass on breed qualities to the next generation is called breeding true. A dog that closely fits the breed standard is said to have a good breed type or is described as “typical or typey.” 

While breed standards rarely change over time, they do vary from country to country and association to association. Even though breed standards highlight the same parts of a dog, there is no one format for all breed standards across all breeds. As an open registry, CKC works to keep genetic populations robust and accept breeds from all over the world. In an effort to preserve important genetic information, our standards are written to be inclusive rather than stringent and exclusive. We believe that breed type and standards should preserve the dog’s health and promote its quality of life. 

The English Bulldog

Let’s take a look at how the English Bulldog has changed over time. The early 1800s version is unrecognizable compared to the English Bulldog of today. The original English Bulldogs of old once resembled today's American Bulldogs: agile, fit, capable, and athletic. Today's English Bulldogs are quite the opposite with their short, heavy stature, broad head, extremely compressed muzzle, broad shoulders, and narrow hips. Much of this has had a negative impact on the modern Bulldog’s life and is correctable by breeders selecting healthier, less extreme traits.

Type Change

A type change occurs when faults or virtues become so prevalent in a breed that they eventually are considered a breed virtue. Some changes can have a negative impact on the breed if the fault diminishes the dog’s quality of life, movement, or well-being - as was the result of extreme changes in the English Bulldog. Today, many organizations - including CKC - want to undo the harmful effects that stringent breed standards and unhealthy breeding practices have had on purebred dogs.

Up Next...

In our next and final video on breed standards, we are going to explore how we here at Continental Kennel Club approach breed standards and types that are a little different from other clubs and organizations. Until then, we hope you liked this video and better understand breed type and how breed standards can change over time.

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