Do this
Take photos outdoors in soft light, on a calm and level surface. Keep a leash and a small reward ready.
A guide before your photo session
Photo guidelines
Good photos make it easier to see your dog's overall appearance, details, and expression. You do not need expensive camera equipment — a phone and calm preparation will go a long way.
Follow the guide below before taking photos. The images help give the gallery a consistent and fair impression of every dog.
Prepare the dog and location
Choose a calm location with even daylight. Brush the dog, wipe its nose and eyes if needed, and let it have a walk before the photo session. It is helpful to have someone assist in keeping the dog's attention.
Avoid this
Avoid harsh sunlight, dark rooms, busy surroundings, and surfaces where the dog may slip or stand unevenly.
Show the whole dog standing from the side
Position the dog naturally and make sure all four paws are visible. Hold the camera at roughly the dog's body height, and include the whole dog in the frame — from nose to tail tip.
Do this
Photograph directly from the side while the dog is standing still, with a clear view of its legs, body, and tail.
Avoid this
Avoid photos from above or from an angle, and photos where the legs, tail, or head are cropped out.
Take a photo straight from the front
Have the dog stand straight towards the camera. Position yourself low and directly in front of the dog so that the chest, front legs, and face are clearly visible. An assistant can encourage the dog to look forward.
Do this
Hold the camera directly in front of the dog and wait until it is calmly looking forward.
Avoid this
Avoid angled photos, viewpoints that distort the legs, or photos where the dog turns its head away from the camera.
Photograph both sides
We need one standing photo from both the dog's left and right side. This helps visitors get a fair overall view of the coat, markings, and body shape.
Do this
Take two separate photos in the same calm position: one from the left and one from the right.
Avoid this
Do not use mirrored photos or submit the same side photo twice.
Check the photos before submitting
Review the photos carefully. Choose the sharpest photos where the dog is clearly visible, without filters or heavy editing. Also make sure you have the photographer's permission to use the images.
Do this
Choose sharp, bright original photos where the dog is in focus and the image has not been edited with filters.
Avoid this
Avoid blurry photos, screenshots, collages, watermarks, and filters that change coat colour or details.
Ready to submit?
Go back to the form once you have selected your best photos. If an image is not suitable, it is better to take a new one than try to fix it with filters or heavy editing.