What is the difference between pet quality and show/breeding quality?

By the time the puppies are about 7 wks old each puppy will have been "graded" against the AKC Standard. There is no "perfect" dog but the highest quality puppies will be the closest to the ideal as described in the standard and have the highest price. Any deviations from the "standard" are "faults" and are considered according to their severity.

Several faults are described in the standard as "disqualifying" faults. These are faults that will disqualify a dog from the show ring. Other faults may keep a dog from winning in the show ring but won't "disqualify" a dog totally from showing. Disqualifying faults are: entropion, ectropion, overshot, undershot (when incisors do not touch or mesh); wry mouth; two or more missing teeth, unilateral cryptorchid or cryptorchid males, long coat, any base color other than black and absence of all markings. These are considered the most serious faults.

Puppies graded as "pets" are sold to homes for companion purposes only.....no showing or breeding allowed. Show or breeding quality puppies have no disqualifying or other significant faults at the time they are sold and may be shown or bred provided no disqualifying faults are present in the puppy as an adult and the dog passes health clearances as stated in the sale contract.

Show/breeding quality does not necessarily mean that this dog must be shown or bred. It is just a description of the quality of the puppy at 7 wks. A show or breeding quality dog may be sold to a home that wants a higher quality puppy but wants the dog only for a companion and has no intention of showing or breeding. A pet quality puppy will not be sold to a home intending to show or breed.

Keep in mind that most "faults" on a pet puppy are not readily noticeable to someone not use to looking at show dogs and are usually not apparent to a buyer until the breeder points the faults out. Point is that a "pet" puppy with "faults" from a show bloodline is a beautiful dog and will make a wonderful companion for someone not wanting to show or breed and not wanting to pay the higher price. "Faults" have nothing to do with the puppy's temperament or health.