The American Dragoon Club
American Dragoon Club

The Standard - Structural Elements

Since reorganizing in 1975, the American Dragoon Club has used the same Dragoon Standard as adopted in 1932 by The Dragoon Club in England. Recognition of new color classes by the ADC over the years has led to proposed additions to the color portion of the Standard. The proposed additions are currently before the membership for approval and are included below, typed in italics.

Go to: The Standard Colors Order of Evaluation Bottom of Page

Structural Elements

Head, Beak, Wattle, Cere,, Eye, Neck, Breast, Wings, Tail,
Legs, Length of Bird, Carriage, General Characteristics

Head The skull should be fairly massive and deep in proportion to the size of the bird, and in profile should rise gradually from the base of the wattle, forming a gentle and unbroken curve to the back of the head, thence decending to the neck without angularity or lumpiness; the distance from the center of the eye to the back of the skull being horizontally 7/8 of an inch. The top view should be wedge-shaped and broad, yet proportionate to the substance and length of the beak, well filled behind the wattle, and slightly convex from eye to eye. (Structure)

Beak Both mandibles stout, straight, of proportionate width and of equal substance, close-fitting, smooth, terminating as bluntly as possible, set horizontally and measuring from its tip to the center of the eye about 1 5/8 of an inch; thus making the entire length from the tip of the beak to the back of the skull about 2 1/2 inches. The undermandible as free as possible from "jewing", i.e. growth of wattle. (For color of beak see description of various colors in Color Standard.) (Structure)

Wattle "Peg" shaped, i.e. broad, perpendicular and highest at the back, narrowing with equal sides and in young birds, with longitudinal furrows towards the termination of the upper mandible and merging almost imperceptibly therewith. With age, the wattle, while still retaining its peg shape, should develop into a compact formation, wrinkled in general appearance, but fine in texture. It should be fairly large, yet proportionate to the size of the head. (Structure)

Cere Small, hard, finely laced, the inner edge circular, the outer nearly so, but with a slightly "pinched" appearance at the back. It should not extend above the top of the skull, nor crowd the wattle. In the Adult, three circles should be clearly distinguishable in the upper part of the cere, and two in the lower. (For color of the cere see Color Standard.) (Structure)

Eye Large and Prominate. (See color under Color Standard.) (Structure)

Neck Of medium length and thickness, entirely free from gullet,and widening boldly from head to body. (Structure)

Breast Broad and full. Keel straight. (Structure)

Wings Powerful, the flights short and broad, resting upon the tail. The shoulders thick, muscular and prominent, but not standing out from the body conspicuously. (Structure)

Tail Running in a line with the back, close fitting, carried clear of the ground, somewhat short in proportion to the size of the bird, and extending about 5/8 of an inch beyond the extremity of the flights. (Structure)

Legs Short and well set back. The thighs stout and muscular. (Structure)

Length of Bird Measuring from the point of the beak to the extremity of the tail, about 15 inches when outstretched. (Structure)

Carriage Erect and Bold. (Structure)

General Characteristics Medium in size, and excessive in no property. Hard and very close feathered. Alert and watchful. (Structure)

Go to: Top of Page Structural Elements The Standard Colors Order of Evaluation

Return to The American Dragoon Club Main Page
Go to Information Page

E-mail comments to: btauscher@aol.com