Hi Sukie I thought maybe one of the AFA judges who is on this list might respond but since I live with one guess I will have to be good enough :) I can not speak for any other sanctioning organization or independent group on how they judge ferrets at their shows. As far as the AFA goes they have a exhibitors guidebook that decribes what is expected. To check it out go to http://www.ferret.org/events/Guidebook.htm The section on muscle is located in the championship section. Take it from someone who has shown for quite a while..you will get nailed on muscle at an AFA show. I have stewarded many times and can't tell you how many times I have writen on a comment card "lacks muscle". Hope that answers your question :) ~Tara Palaski PFRA [Posted in FML issue 4231]