Agouti Assessment
Criteria

 

Below are outlined the criteria for assessing each degu in the agouti standard. 

Sections in red mean a pass is essential for certification, while sections in green mean a pass is optional but will score your degu more points. The more points your degu has (provided they pass the essential criteria) the higher their certificated score will be (this is a very good thing!).

 

AGOUTI STANDARD

1. Genetics 

1.1 Registration number of the degu under assessment must be provided (all degus to be assessed must be registered with Degutopia; you can do that here). The further back the lineage of the degu can be traced, the higher the score given (registration numbers required for all relatives claimed) as follows:
  • 0 points = Assessed degu only
  • 1 point = Assessed degu, sire (father) and dam (mother)
  • 2 points = Assessed degu, sire and dam and one or more parent of either sire or dam
  • 3 points = Assessed degu, sire and dam and both parents of sire and dam
  • 4 points = Assessed degu, sire and dam, both parents of sire and dam and one or more parents of the latter
  • 5 points = Lineage tracing back further than the above four generations

1.2 Owner to be questioned on the history of parents. A higher score will be given if parents are available for inspection.

  • 0 points = No detail available
  • 1-3 points  = Dependent on detail of history provided
  • 4-5 points = Dependent on inspection and quality of parents

TOTAL POINTS = 10

2. Phenotype/Visual Appearance

2.1 Eyes to be examined visually and with a pen torch.

PASS = 1 point

2.2 Nose to be visually examined.

PASS = 1 point

2.3 Coat to be examined visually and physically (by brushing).

PASS = 1 point

2.4 Tail to be examined visually and physically (by running fingers down tail).

PASS = 1 point

2.5 Fore/hind paws to be examined visually and physically (by feeling the toes and pads).

PASS = 1 point

2.6 Whiskers to be visually examined.

PASS = 1 point

2.7 Teeth to be visually examined.

PASS = 1 point

2.8 Ears to be visually examined.

PASS = 1 point

2.9 Conformation to be examined visually and physically (by feeling the limbs and body).

PASS = 1 point

TOTAL POINTS = 9

3. Physiology

3.1 Registration certificate to be inspected for date of birth.

1 point = 58 weeks to 4 years 11 months old

2 points = 5 years old or above

3.2 Assessed degu to be weighed on the day, must be within +/- 2 g of range.

PASS = 1 point

3.3 Examination by auscultation of respiratory system.

PASS = 1 point

TOTAL POINTS = 4

4. Behaviour and Character

4.1 Visual assessment of alertness and activity

PASS = 1 point

4.2 Assessment of inquisitive nature using food reward.

PASS = 1 point

4.3 Handling assessment of temperament and attitude.

PASS = 1 point

4.4 Demonstration of a learned trick or task, owner questioned.

PASS = 1 point

TOTAL POINTS = 4

 

---Minimum score for standard---

9 points (requires all essential passes)

---PERFECT STANDARD---

27 points

 


The rank of certification your assessed degu will receive depends on the points they have scored at the end of assessment. Certificate classes are as follows:

BASIC certification- Minimum pass only (9 points)
BRONZE certification- 10-14 points
SILVER certification- 15-20 points
GOLD certification- 21-26 points
PERFECT STANDARD certification- Only issued to degus scoring maximum points (27).

 

All scores are quoted on each degu's official certificate, details are also kept on the registration database.

To see the reasoning behind each section (and the scoring thereof), please visit the following section:

BREED STANDARDS EXPLANATION

For more details about how to get your degus certificated, please contact us.

 

Back to the Agouti Standard Page

 

© Copyright C.V. Long BSc 2004 - 2009; Reproduction with permission only.

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