Did You Know? Breed Judging Definitely Impacts The Future Of The Breed!

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152 – March, 2024

By Michael Canalizo

Most find it an odd statement when a venerable judge says, “The easiest class to judge is Best in Show”. I guess when paired with a comment from the likes of a great all-rounder, the late Mr. R. Stephen Shaw, who was comfortable in saying, “ I have never done a Best when I didn’t have excellent dogs to select from”…it makes sense in our “world”. As one who has competed in over 1,000 BIS competitions, I can also share that the exhibitors of those great dogs are genuinely happy for whoever wins. I gained great respect from my peers when I knew I shouldn’t have won (long funny story) but did, and they were very kind and concerned if my bitch was okay. The following week another “Great One” guided by a great Poodle handler went Best in a ring under difficult conditions, and he felt awkward for having done so considering her lackluster performance. I knew that these things happen and we carry on and live to fight another day. Out of great respect for his other amazing contributions in the dog sport (Terriers in particular) I will give the (late, great) grumpy guy from Michigan a pass on the aforementioned.

But there is a uniquely different set of dynamics that come into play at the breed level. The primary tenet of the entire judging process “SHOULD” rest solely on the premise that a dog should be rewarded for how closely it conforms to the very specific standard of the breed. It pains me sometimes when a judge–often new(er) to the breed–can be blindsided with a dazzling performance over a dog that fit the Standard more closely. Long, long ago, a future all-rounder (the fabulous Keke Khan) was still adding breeds on her way to that lofty status. She did my breed and took it upon herself to call one of the legendary Afghan Hound breeder/judges, Babbie Tongren. Some have already broken out into a wide grin because they knew Babbie “told it like it was”. (Her “Better than the Book” columns were a must read for years.) When Keke relayed the decision progression and subsequent results of judging the breed on a slick floor where most Sighthounds took caution when moving, Babbie told her, “I DON’T CARE IF THAT BITCH WAS ON HER BACK BEING DRAGGED AROUND THE RING…IT SHOULD HAVE BEATEN THAT DOG!”. I understand that passion for getting the breed type sorted out properly the more I judge. When I was an exhibitor, a defeat to a lesser representative would get the juices flowing…it usually happened due to a judge’s lack of confidence, and just trusting that the “ notable” handler would have the best dog. Well, that isn’t the way it goes, and it should never influence the decision because most times “those in the know” can/will be fine when a good dog beats them; but there is no love to those who miss the best ones.

Another popular judge, Mr. Alexander (Sandy) Schwartz, would tell aspiring judges if you want to be a good judge, “You need to know how to make the dog you feel its best…Look good enough to win.” That meant that if the dog wasn’t so perfect coming and going, DON’T walk down the line moving your final contenders “Up and Back” again. Keep them in a circle, where that dog excelled.

Click here to read the complete article
152 – March, 2024

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Posted by AnthonyA on Mar 14 2024. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.