Raising the
Standard
Structure, Type & Functional Conformation
Structure Matters Beyond the Ring
Written by Ashley Young, LakeHaus Kennels — Breeder, trainer, and advocate for purposeful, ethical German Shorthaired Pointer breeding.
Standard #14
Structure doesn’t stop mattering when a dog leaves the show ring.
One of the clearest examples of this comes from the roots of our breed. The forefather to the AKC German Shorthaired Pointer is the Deutsch Kurzhaar, bred under the DKV system. In that system, structure and function are not viewed as separate concepts — they are inseparable requirements.
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Key themes in this standard include:
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Why structure and function must exist together
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How historical breeding systems prioritized durability
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The consequences of separating form from function
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Why balance matters more than specialization
Structure and Function Were Never Meant to Be Separate
Dogs bred through the DKV must prove themselves before they are considered fit for breeding. They are required to pass hunt tests that demonstrate working ability, and they must also pass a breed-specific structural evaluation, earning at least a “Good” rating and being deemed Zuchttauglich — fit for breeding. That requirement exists for a reason: correct structure is essential to a dog’s ability to do the job it was bred for, and to do it soundly over time.
This philosophy recognizes that a dog who can hunt but cannot hold up physically, or a dog who is built beautifully but cannot do the work, is falling short of the whole picture.
When Form and Function Are Divided, the Breed Suffers
I often wish we had similar requirements in the AKC/CKC or NAVHDA systems. Too often, field-bred dogs are produced with little regard for structure, while some show-bred dogs lack the drive or ability to do the work they were originally bred for. When form and function are split apart, the breed suffers on both ends.
My personal kennel goal has always been to live in the middle ground — dogs that are structurally sound, capable of holding their own in the show ring, and fully able to perform in the field. Dogs that aren’t just one thing or the other, but balanced, durable, and true to the breed’s purpose.
Structure matters beyond the ring because it directly affects how a dog moves, works, and ages. It determines whether a dog can perform consistently without breaking down, whether they stay sound through years of work, and whether they can live comfortably in the body they were given.
Core Principles
Structure and Function Are Inseparable
A dog must be able to work and hold up physically over time.
Balance Protects the Breed
Extreme specialization undermines long-term soundness and purpose.
Durability Is the Goal
True quality is measured over years of work, not moments of success.
Raising the Standard Means…
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Valuing structure as a working requirement, not a cosmetic one
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Preserving balance between form and function
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Learning from systems that prioritize durability and proof
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Breeding dogs that can work, last, and live comfortably
Takeaway
Raising the standard means recognizing that structure isn’t about ribbons or tradition — it’s about preserving dogs that can do the job they were bred to do, and do it well, for a long time.