Rating system (as approved by the S.C.C. since 04 January 2006)

Rating system

Selection scale for sires and dams

Rating system (2013)

(note : Explanations and comments by the translator are in italic)

In order to help potential dog buyers, the French Club de l'Epagneul Breton developped a selection scale for sires and dams to ascertain officially the quality of these dogs, though not being a substitute to the awards and titles allowed by the SCC (The French Kennel Club).

Rating 1 / 6 

A dog is rated "1 point" as soon as it succeeds the confirmation examination by an expert, only based on its sufficient appropriateness to the breed standard.

In France, this "Confirmation Test" is compulsory to obtain the delivery of a domestic pedigree. It is not required for the delivery of an Export Pedigree which is then issued without any guarantee concerning the type of the dog and so it only certifies the identity of the ancestors.

Rating 2 / 6

The first truly interesting level of the scale.
To get this rating a dog must :

• -have succeeded the confirmation examination ;
• -have been rated as "Excellent" in a show (where a «Speciale de race/Breed special» is scheduled for the breed). The judge is then an expert of the breed , choosen by the committee of the Club de l'Epagneul Breton
• -have passed successfully the T.A.N. (Test d'Aptitudes Naturelles/Natural Aptitude Test) ;
• -present a HD rating not worse than "C" (= mild)
• -have a full pedigree (= the parents + g-parents + g-g parents)

This rating may also apply to a dog :

• -officially  titled as « trialer »
• -rated Very Good in a show (where a «Speciale de race/Breed special» is scheduled for the breed).
  

So, to compare to a dog just "confirmed", this quotation guarantees the potential owner that he faces a dog presenting the minimal true qualities expected from  the breed.

Rating 3 / 6 (= SELECTIONNE/SELECTED)

Please report to the note at the end of « rating 4/6 »

Rating 4 / 6 (= RECOMMANDE/RECOMMENDED)

This one is the third and the most interesting individual degree of the scale. 
Note concerning the ratings 3/6 and 4/6: As there is more than one unique way to get these ratings, sometimes involving specific french stubleties, and also varying according to the gender, it becomes almost impossible to make a simple clear  translation, so please report to http://www.epagneul-breton.net/6010-grille-de-cotation-de-l-epagneul-breton.htm

Rating 5 / 6 ("ELITE B")*

A "2/6-CONFIRMED" dog will become "ELITE B" (5/6 points) if it meets the following requirements, that consider its quality as stud dog or brood bitch :

• HD must not be worse than "B" (= fair) ;
• Male : He must be the sire of at least three dogs rated "4/6-RECOMMENDED" out of at least two non-sister dams ;
• Female : She must be the dam of at least three dogs rated "4/6-RECOMMENDED"
• DNA check for parents

Rating 6 / 6 ("ELITE A")*

A "4/6-RECOMMENDED » dog will become "ELITE A" (6/6 points) if it meets the following requirements, which consider the quality of the dog as stud dog or brood bitch, and also its own qualities and the value of its family tree:

• HD must not be worse than "B" (= fair) ;
• Male : He must be the sire of at least three dogs rated "4/6-RECOMMENDED" out of at least two non-sister dams ;
• Female : She must be the dam of at least three dogs rated "4/6-RECOMMENDED"
• DNA check for parents.

Moreover, the rating of the ancestors of the dog, mentioned in its pedigree, must totalize 20 points according to a specific calculation. As this one is rather complex, it will be done by the CEB upon request.

*As the « performances » considered are for a major part those of its offspring, a dog may become rated ELITE A or ELITE B even after its death. Nevertheless, its value remains important for its rating in the family tree.

Last update  and translated: December 2015 by Pierre Willems