Page 172 - Showsight March 2013

Samoyeds are judged by many
people for many reasons. A
good breeder judges each
dog or bitch that is used for
breeding for health, tem-
perament, pedigree and the
qualities in the Samoyed that meet our
written standard.
A conscientious puppy buyer looks for
that breeder who has a puppy with parents
that were tested for all the requirements
the Samoyed Club of America lists, has the
temperament to live in a family situation
with children, friends and other pets, and
whose parents exhibit the qualities of our
written standard. Hopefully that breeder
has raised the puppy in an environment
that starts the development of good mental
and physical health.
Dog shows were originated to judge
each dog against the AKC standard to help
select breeding stock.
We, as AKC show judges, do not have
the ability to spend hours finding just
the right dog. We must make our deci-
sions based on a few minutes going over
the dog in the ring and watching it move
in a limited space. Our standard begins
with the statement: “The Samoyed, being
essentially a working dog, should present
a picture of beauty, alertness and strength,
with agility”. If you have read the first por-
tion of these articles, you know why and
how this essential Samoyed was developed.
Proportion is critical to a proper Samo-
yed to insure strength and agility. To see
proper proportion, you must stand back
with the dog in side profile. Many dumpy,
short-legged dogs are put up because the
judge wants to “save steps” and not move
to the center of the ring to see proper pro-
portion. When the dogs walk in the ring,
look for that dog that appears long legged
with the front legs set well under the with-
ers to support the body and the rear legs
set very slightly behind the ischium. A dog
that is 5% longer than it is tall will appear
almost square. Even on a coated dog, the
elbow is visible, use that point to visualize
depth of body and length of leg. A dog that
is 55% leg length will appear leggy when
you are accustomed to working dogs that
are 50% leg length. A leggy dog has noth-
ing to do with height, but is all about pro-
portion. The neck should be moderately
long and set well into sloping shoulders.
The dog should be alert and interested in
what it happening around it.
While moving the dogs around the ring
we look for gait that is efficient and ground
covering. Legs that fly up in the air or twist
are never correct, just as a firm level topline
is a sign of efficient, correct movement. The
Samoyed is a moderate dog, therefore over
extension of side gait is not desired
Heads come in a range of style from
slightly long and narrow to shorter and
broad. Either style is ok as long as the
essential qualities of type are met: The lip
line should be tight and hopefully curve up
slightly at the corner when the mouth is
closed. The eye should be deep set, almond
shaped and set slanting up with the outside
corner of the eye pointing to the base of
the ear. Ears should stand erect with thick
leather and be well covered with fur inside
and out. The muzzle should be deep, the
stop slightly sloping with the back skull
wedge shaped and slightly crowned.
When judging a Samoyed, you must get
your hands into the coat and feel the bone
and muscle. Coat that is scissored and over
groomed is rampant in the AKC show
ring. The coat should be clean and well
brushed. It is a double coat with coarse
JUDGING THE SAMOYED
By Judy Mears
Chair Judges Education; Samoyed Club of America
“Our standard begins with the statement:
‘THE SAMOYED, bEING ESSENTIAllY A wOrkING DOG,
SHOUlD prESENT A pIcTUrE Of bEAUTY, AlErTNESS
AND STrENGTH, wITH AGIlITY’.”
172 • ShowSight Magazine, March 2013