What is the assessment?
The Royal Kennel Club (RKC) Veterinary Conformation Assessment, previously known during development as the Nose-to-Tail Veterinary Assessment, is an evidence-based and veterinary-led assessment, designed to support healthier breeding decisions.
The RKC Veterinary Conformation Assessment is a quick, non-invasive assessment carried out by a trained veterinary surgeon. Using a standardised protocol and grading criteria, it assesses a dog’s conformation (body shape), assigns a grade for each feature where possible, and provides an overall assessment score. The results help owners and breeders develop a more nuanced understanding of their dog’s conformation, including whether any features identified may be associated with health and/or welfare concerns,
What does conformation mean and why is it important?
The conformation of a dog refers to its overall structure and appearance. Dogs come in many different shapes and sizes. Having such varied conformation is one of the many fascinating things about dogs. However, ensuring that a dog is bred to have moderate, and not exaggerated, conformation is important.
Extreme conformation occurs when a feature is so exaggerated that affected dogs suffer from poor health and/or welfare, with negative impacts on their quality and/or quantity of life.
Regardless of what each dog looks like, its health and welfare should be a priority and it should be able to lead a happy and healthy life. That means being able to breathe, walk, hear and see freely without discomfort. Some exaggerated conformations can lead to health problems, such as skin infections, eye problems or breathing difficulties.
Examples of health problems related to exaggerated conformation
Skin
Dogs with excessive amounts of skin or excessive skin folds may develop inflammation, irritation and infection in any large skin folds.
Head shape
Extreme brachycephalic dogs (dogs with extremely flat faces) may be more prone to breathing difficulties, which can present as laboured or noisy breathing. This can impact on a dog's quality of life and may make it difficult for them to cool down in hot weather or catch their breath during or after exercise. Additional obstructions, such as narrow nostrils, are likely to contribute to the problem.
Eyes
Dogs with extremely prominent eyes may be more vulnerable to direct trauma and may not be able to blink adequately. Inadequate blink may lead to chronic damage to the eyes, resulting in dry eyes, irritation and the formation of ulcers.
Entropion, a disorder in which the eyelid turns into the eye and the eyelashes rub against the eyeball, can cause irritation, pain and redness, and is more likely to occur in dogs with prominent eyes and/or heavy facial skin folds. Conversely, ectropion, a disorder in which the lower eyelids roll out and do not fit closely to the eyeball, can result in dry eyes, discomfort, irritation and chronic conjunctivitis.
Tail
Dogs with extremely tight, inverted or screw tails may be at higher risk of skin infections and prone to problems with their spine, which could result in difficult and painful movement.
If you have any concerns that your dog suffers from any of the above health problems, then you should seek veterinary advice.
Why participate?
Taking part in the RKC Veterinary Conformation Assessment provides an opportunity to support responsible breeding and contribute to a better understanding of conformation and its relationship with health and welfare.
For breeders, the assessment provides additional information to consider alongside established health testing when making informed, responsible breeding decisions. It can also demonstrate a commitment to continually improving the health and welfare of future generations.
For owners, the assessment provides a clearer understanding of their dog’s conformation and contributes to the growing evidence base that will help inform future guidance.
Getting your dog assessed
At what age should my dog be assessed?
The assessment should be carried out before breeding in adult dogs.
The minimum age at which a dog can participate in the RKC Veterinary Conformation Assessment is 18 months.
Ideally, dogs should be assessed once they have reached full conformation maturity. The age at which a dog reaches conformation maturity can vary and is influenced by several factors, including breed, bloodlines, sex and size.
Conformation maturity may be indicated by several physical characteristics, including:
- reaching adult height
- developing the appropriate chest depth
- gaining muscle
- developing head shape
- attaining adult coat
As different breeds mature at different rates, a dog reaching 18 months does not necessarily mean it has reached full conformation maturity. For breed-specific guidance on the appropriate timing for assessment, please visit your breed’s page in our Breeds A–Z.
How much does it cost?
Assessment fees are set by individual assessors and may vary. Please check the fee with your assessor before booking. The fee includes the Royal Kennel Club’s £10 administration fee.