Breed Standard Changes for 2024

Effective January 2, 2024

December 29, 2023

Note: Announcement was originally posted on 12/22/23 and was updated on 12/29/23 to include the Poodle, Multi-Colored Poodle, Standard Poodle, and Multi-Colored Standard Poodle preview documents.

The breed standards for a handful of breeds have been updated, effective January 2, 2024. These updates are listed below:

Alaskan Malamute
"Any solid color other than white" is now noted as an Eliminating Fault for coloration.

American Bully
In addition to changes announced on November 30 (announced here), minor cosmetic and grammatical changes have been made to the standard.

Belgian Shepherd Dog
The Eyes section now reads: "Medium size, neither prominent nor deep set. Almond in shape, obliquely set, brown in color, preferably dark. Their look is direct, lively, intelligent, and questioning. Their eyelids are edged in black." (Added: "obliquely set")
The Gait section now reads: "The gait is ground covering, effortless and seemingly tireless. The Belgian Shepherd Dog is usually in motion and is capable of working livestock all day. As speed increases, the breed single tracks." (Added: "As speed increases, the breed single tracks.")

Berger des Pyrenees
Height range for males has been changed to 15.5 inches to 21 inches.
Height range for females has been changed to 15.5 inches to 20.5 inches.
Faults has been amended to read: "Overweight. Fat. Heavily-muscled dogs."
"Any male or female under 14.5 inches or over 21 inches" has been added to Eliminating Faults
"Any male or female under 13 inches or over 22 inches" has been added to Disqualifications.

English Bulldog
Blue, green, or parti-colored eyes are now added under "Disqualification"
Merle coloration is now added under "Disqualification"
"Excessive amounts of loose skin around eyes" has been added as an Eliminating Fault.
"Over-nose roll" has been changed to "over-nose wrinkle" in the Eliminating Faults section.

German Shepherd Dog
"Poor movement, any form of shyness, and weak character or nerves" has been added as a Serious Fault.
"Lack of confidence, timid or shrinking behavior" has been added as an Eliminating Fault.
More descriptive language has been added to define ideal head shape, muzzle, nose, eyes, forequarters, forelegs, body, feet, and tail.
"Sagging" back has been added to the body description as a Serious Fault.
Missing teeth beyond a certain number or type, as well as overshot beyond 2mm has been added as an Eliminating Fault.
The Long and Harsh Outer Coat has been added as a recognized coat type.
Lack of double coat has been added as a Serious Fault.

Golden Retriever
Color has been amended to read: "Any shade of gold or cream which is rich and lustrous. Body color that approaches white or mahogany is undesirable. Some latitude may be given when judging a lighter-colored puppy whose coat shows promise of darkening with age. Feathering may be lighter than the rest of the coat, and lighter shadings extending upward from the underbody are typical and acceptable. These lighter shadings must not be confused with white markings. With the exception of graying or whitening of face or body due to age, any white marking, other than a few white hairs on the chest, should be penalized in proportion to its extent."

Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla
The following have been added as Eliminating Faults:
Teeth: Undershot or overshot bite. Wry mouth. One or more missing incisors and/or canine and/or premolars 2-3 and/or molars 1-2. More than two missing PM. Non-visible teeth are assessed as missing.
Eyes: Distichiasis (double row of eyelashes).
Coat: Thin coat, lacking undercoat. Long, soft, silky, shaggy, crinkle or woolly coat. Lacking brushes on the legs.

Irish Red and White Setter
Roaning, flecking, and mottling on any part of the body other than face, feet, and up the foreleg as far as the elbow, or the hind leg as far as the hock has been reclassified from "Serious Fault" to "Eliminating Fault."

Mi-Ki
Section on coat has been updated to include a prohibition on accessories or products which would mask the true texture of the coat.
More information is added about the Mi-Ki being shown in long coat.
More detail added regarding acceptable styles for grooming a long coat.
Curly, cotton or wiry coat has been added as a Fault in adult coats.
Merle coloring has been added as a Disqualification.

Mudi
Some changes to History, clarifying dates and locations, as well as adding sources for information.
Section on pronunciation and proper pluralization has been added.
Changes throughout the Breed Standard, including new and/or updated Disqualifications.

Poodle
Revisions with input from the United Poodle Association. PDF added 12/29/23.

Multi-Colored Poodle
Revisions with input from the United Poodle Association. PDF added 12/29/23.

Standard Poodle
Revisions with input from the United Poodle Association. PDF added 12/29/23.

Multi-Colored Standard Poodle
Revisions with input from the United Poodle Association. PDF added 12/29/23.

Toy Fox Terrier
Height & Weight section revised with input from the National Toy Fox Terrier Association.

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