Show Standards

[The Maltese]

Hi,

I have been breeding finches for a couple of months and consider myself quite satisfied with the success.

My breeding stock was bought from Pet Stores specialising in finches but I was not too choosy at the time so I would just ask the store owner "can I have 2 pairs of stars please?". So basically I would get the first two pairs that he happens to catch.

I now wish to be more selective and have proper stock and quality offspring and I have got hold of the NFSS Judges Handbook. Unfortunately without any guidance or pictures I am not able to determine what constitutes a good, average or a poor trait. For example the standard states that "the body must not be snaky in appearance but shall be full and rounded about the shoulders and chest tapering gradually to the tail area".

My question is: Are there any books, pictures, websites, etc. which have pictures to explain the standards?

Thanks in advance for any advice, hints, tips and direction you can provide to find standard conformation information WITH PICTURES/DIAGRAMS

[andiok]

The Maltese
Stuart whiting

Hi. Stuart would probably be the best person to explain you show quality standards for finches. He is a finch exhibitor in UK.

[paul-inAZ]

This difficulty is likely inherent in any written standard. Some things are self-evident, such as being too small, having crossed wings or showing blotchy colors. Most as you point out are subjective. Its kind of like saying that the ideal woman has to have nice legs. What constitutes nice?

I know with English budgies I would like to find a site with side by side photos of a bad example of some characteristic alongside what it should look like.

My most informative route has been to go to a competitive show and have a judge or a breeder point out traits that make one bird preferable to another. Even there some "top" birds don't appeal to me so who is correct? It partly depends on whether one is breeding for blue ribbons or to produce a bird that pleases me the most.

Not easy.