A Guide to Standard Poses



Training:

Before getting started in showing, it is recommended that you spend some time training your petz to pose. Using positive reinforcement in the form of petting/scratches is the fastest way to encourage a reliable, "showy" character. Simply start snapping photos, and when your pet displays the posing behaviour (as seen in the photo below), give them a nice, rewarding scratch on the bum or face. A handful of repetitions should see them offering the behaviour more and more. It really works!




From left to right: the Standard Cat Pose, Standard Dali/Forward Pose, and Standard Dane/Profile Pose.

Correct Standards:

There are three recognized standard poses: Cat, Dali/Forward, and Dane/Profile. Here at December, shows are divided by Catz and Dogz, with both Dali/Forward and Profile/Dane being acceptable poses in the latter.

A standard pose is judged on the following four qualities...

Leg Alignment:
Good leg alignment can make or break a pose. If it does not meet the standard, it is likely to be disqualified from judging, regardless of otherwise correct qualities.

Peak of Breath:
The moment in time you capture your pose should find your pet at their proudest. Tails (if any/if mobile) should be high and tightly coiled towards the head, chests should be puffed, and heads should be held triumphantly high.

Portrait Standard:
The pet's head must adhere as closely to the correct standard of the pose depicted as possible. These standards vary depending on the pose type (see below).

Degree of Difficulty:
If several poses are absolutely tied for a place, Degree of Difficulty is then considered. For example, in a Standard Dogz Pose show, a perfectly executed Dane/Profile pose will be considered a higher degree of difficulty to a perfectly executed Dali pose. Other factors, such as breed type, can influence Degree of Difficulty (example, posing an alley cat-type tail is harder than a bob-type tail).

A quick not about breed standards...
A good judge will have experience posing and recognizing different breed-types and the specific abilities/limitations they have, and thus, they will judge to this individual standard as attainable by that particular breed-type. They will not fault them for what they cannot naturally obtain.



The Standard Cat Pose



Leg Alignment: A correct cat pose will see the cat aligned by his carpals (front ankles), with no pixels from the left front leg seen in ahead of the right front leg. Some breed-types may show a tuft of pixels behind the right front, however.

Peak of Breath: The tail, if any, should be held to the highest point, curved over the back towards the head as far as possible.

Portrait Standard: Eyes should be perfectly level along a horizontal plane, and eyelids (if displayed) should be matching/level as well. Calico breed-types may display uneven eyes, but they must be level along the lowest displayed pixel.



The Standard Dali/Forward Pose



Leg Alignment: In the dali/forward pose, the dog will be aligned by his carpal (front ankles), with no pixels from the left front carpal seen either in front of or behind the right carpal joint. In most breed-types, pixels from the upper area of the left fore-leg will be seen in front of the right fore-leg, but never behind. In most breed-types, the hind toes will be perfectly aligned when the front carpals are correctly align, however, this is not always the case, and aligning the front carpal joints should take precedence.

Peak of Breath: The tail, if any, should be held to the highest point, curved over the back towards the head as far as possible.

Portrait Standard: Eyes should be as close to being level along a horizontal plane as possible for the breed-type, and eyelids (if displayed) should be matching/level as well. The nose should be level across the top horizontal plane, and there should be one or two pixels (depending on the breed-type) between the two nose rhinarium. Some breed-types (such as chihuahuas) only have one rhinarium, or the rhinarium are conjoined (as in the Mutt), and will be judged to their own individual standard.




The Standard Dane/Profile Pose



Leg Alignment: Following the same standards as in the dali, the dog will be aligned by his carpal (front ankles), with no pixels from the left front carpal seen either in front of or behind the right carpal joint. In most breed-types, pixels from the upper area of the left fore-leg will be seen in front of the right fore-leg, but never behind. In most breed-types, the hind toes will be perfectly aligned when the front carpals are correctly align, however, this is not always the case, and aligning the front carpal joints should take precedence.

Peak of Breath: The tail, if any, should be held to the highest point, curved over the back towards the head as far as possible.

Portrait Standard: In a correct dane/profile pose, the dog's head shall be held as close to ninety-degrees perpendicular to the camera. It should also be head to the highest height as achievable for the breed-type, with low heads being faulted.




Faults:

While it is very difficult to achieve a fault-free pose, avoiding common faults can help you place well in a show.

Disqualifying Faults:

Some faults are due cause for immediate disqualification. This can include severe breaches of correct standards (such as very poor alignment), left-facing poses, "skinny"/breathless poses, or poses that break rules for being edited, poor resolution, stolen, or otherwise. It is at the judges discretion whether they wish to notify the entrant or not, but ultimately, it is up to pet owners to display good sportmanship, and educate themselves on correct standards sought after in their chosen show.


Left facing poses will automatically be disqualified.


Breathless/"skinny" poses (upper right, compared with the normal pose on the upper left) happen when a dog's chest ball freezes. Perhaps he's got stage fright? ^^; Spraying the dog with the perfume or love potion resets their breathing!


Common Faults:

Most of the poses seen below are likely to be accepted into a show, but they might not place!


Clockwise: Aero, faulted on Peak of Breath (severe); Xander, faulted on Leg Alignment (subtle) and Peak of Breath; Ikoia, faulted on Leg Alignment (subtle) and Portrait Standard (eyelids); Jude, faulted on Leg Alignment (severe) and Portrait Standard (eyelids); Carmen, faulted on Leg Alignment (subtle), Peak of Breath (subtle), and Portrait Standard (eyelids, subtle).


Clockwise: Cookie, faulted on Leg Alignment (subtle), Portrait Standard (nose); Saul, faulted on Peak of Breath (severe); Star, faulted on Leg Alignment (severe); Mikas, faulted on Portrait Standard (eyes, not level).


Clockwise: Katy, faulted on Leg Alignment (severe), Portrait Standard (head too low, turned away); Bleach, faulted on Portrait Standard (head too low); Truffles, faulted on Leg Alignment (severe), Portrait Standard (head too low, turned away); Maestro, faulted on Peak of Breath (subtle), Portrait Standard (head turned away).


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Just when you thought you had the perfect pose, the unthinkable happens... -.-;






Remember, showing is ultimately designed to be a fun challenge, a great way to exhibit your favourite petz, and a chance to meet new friends in the Petz Community! Ribbons and points are just a bonus. <3

Feeling ready? Get out there and SHOW! ^^


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