How to Measure a Dog at Shows

Dog shows sponsored by the American Kennel Club have strict regulations on dog breed heights. Each dog show contestant must fall within the specific height range for a given breed, as determined for each gender. Dogs can be measured only once per show, and only if the judge has reason to believe the dog exceeds or fails to meet the breed's height requirements.

Things You'll Need

  • Wicket or measuring stick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the acceptable height range for your dog breed based on American Kennel Club dog show guidelines. Dogs are given slight deviations from acceptable heights or height ranges, sometimes at the cost of a penalty. For example, golden retrievers are allowed up to a 1-inch deviation from the acceptable range, but dogs in that range are penalized. Any dog outside of that 1-inch deviation span is disqualified.

    • 2

      Measure your dog standing up. The height measurement begins at the floor or table top and extends to the withers. The withers is the area on the dog located between the shoulder bones. In competition, a judge that measure the dog will use a wicket. The wicket is placed at the withers and has two legs that hang to the floor. If one or both legs fail to touch the floor, the dog is considered taller than breed regulations.

    • 3

      Measure your dog from the withers to the base of the tail. Since dogs vary in size, the American Kennel Club usually defines the acceptable measurement as one that is close in length to height of the dog at the withers. In other words, the height of the dog from the floor to the withers should be approximately the same length of the dog from the withers to the base of the tail. Any major deviations from this measurement are viewed as faults.

    • 4

      Compare your dog's measurements to the American Kennel Club breed restrictions and determine if height and length restrictions are affected by gender. Many dog breeds have separate measurement determinations for male dogs and female dogs.

    • 5

      Weigh your dog. The American Kennel Club is more forgiving with weights of dogs than heights. Dogs are expected to be within a weight range, but are not automatically disqualified for exceeding or failing to meet those ranges. Instead, it is of more importance that your dog appear healthy and in shape.