From The Publisher

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10 – June, 2016

We’ve all heard the old clichés, “I’ll take a show dog over a correct dog any day” or “There’s a reason they’re called dog ‘shows’”. The emphasis on performance over type has been discussed for decades. Most seasoned exhibitors feel a dog of superior type that does not want to show will be defeated by a great performer with lesser type most days. That premise is debatable and obviously depends on the judge’s depth of knowledge about the breed being adjudicated.

I make a point to try to watch breed judging when I attend shows across the country and I am growing increasingly concerned by the quality of some dogs that win at the highest levels of our sport. Don’t get me wrong, most of the dogs I see that are consistently winning groups and best in shows are truly outstanding examples of their breed and great show dogs to boot. However, there are some that make me wonder how those experts in the center of the ring miss the obvious type or movement issues of these dogs.

I know what you’re thinking; judges should look for the virtues of each dog and not be dreaded ‘fault judges’. I agree. The worst thing a judge can do is beat an outstanding dog because it possesses one or two minor faults. If a dog has strong type and great structure, it should not be penalized for possessing a minor fault. However, the dogs I am referring to have numerous faults, some specific to their breed and called out in the standard. For instance, if a breed standard says light eyes are a fault, or a tail curving up or over the back is a severe penalty, then that is a problem. If a standard says a breed’s ears should not fall below a certain spot, say the corner of the eye, then ears that fall to the lip line is a problem. If it calls for moderate bone then coarseness is a serious problem. The same goes for shape: square is not rectangular and rectangular is not square. Size seems to be an issue in some breeds. If bitches are to be 18 to 21 inches, the a 23 inch bitch is a real problem. I could go on, but you get the drift.

I see a few select dogs winning at the highest levels of our sport that possess too many faults to allow them to win consistently, yet they do. They all possess that magical characteristic of great showmanship. Some are also great sidegaiters. Others can stack and stare for an eternity. All are in peak condition and handled to perfection. The problem is that showmanship, condition and presentation are not mentioned in most, if any, breed standards. They are attributes that are easy to recognize and can be rewarded by anyone who might not be able to recognize the faults cited in the standard.

The old cliché, “There’s a reason they’re called dog ‘shows’” is still the rule at some events and for some judges today. Maybe they’re right that dogs must perform in order to win. However, rewarding dogs with poor type, serious faults, or improper movement damages the breed for generations, sometimes forever. It’s one thing for a dog lacking essential breed characteristics to win occasionally, but when it happens consistently or at our most important shows, it is a problem that should concern everyone who cares about our sport.

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Posted by admin on Jun 6 2016. 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.