Page 194 - Showsight April 2013

From the side, the dog should be well
angulated in the rear; have medium shoul-
der angulation (45 degrees to the horizon-
tal); a strong forechest, and a chest of excep-
tional depth so that it lets down below the
elbows. The back and topline should be as
level as possible for a dog with such a deep
and powerful chest. So it is quite common
to see a slight dip between the shoulder
blades and then a rise toward the rear. But
again, the condition should be the result of
the depth and breadth of the chest, not due
to weak pasterns or straight stifles.
As the dog moves around the ring,
you will notice that as the trot quickens
the head tends to drop, and the topline
inclines, accentuating that “built low to
the ground” look. The tail should now
be level or slightly above level with the
back, and still straight. Watch for a good
extension of the forelegs; out beyond the
nose. The movement of the DDB has
been described as similar to that of a lion
because it is powerful and low-to-the-
ground, yet quite easy and graceful for the
DDBs size and mass.
As the dogs line up for final inspection
and selections, there are many components
of the individual dogs to consider. While
we should judge for the complete package;
for overall balance, correct proportions
and soundness. We must be mindful in
making our selections that we do a great
disservice to a breed if we put up dogs that
do not capture the essence of the breed.
So while there is room for some dis-
agreement among judges on weighing the
technical aspects of a breed, we should
remember and be in agreement on what
characteristics make up the essence of a
breed or breed type. Most experts in the
breed will agree that a DDB is a confident,
muscular, powerful dog that is built low
to the ground and has a massive head of
proper proportions and expression. With-
out these primary characteristics, you do
not have a good DDB and therefore these
are the most important points to remem-
ber in judging the breed.
BIO
Cindy McElderry, along with her hus-
band Mark were early pioneers of the
Dogue de Bordeaux in the United States.
Operating as Northland Bordeaux for over
20 years, Mrs. McElderry has amassed an
impressive show record at competitions in
North America and Europe with her dogs.
The McElderry’s played a major role in
the effort to achieve AKC acceptance of the
breed, including formulating the first AKC
Standard. They are also the AKC’s only
Breeder Judges for the Dogue de Bordeaux.
“THE mOVEmENT Of THE DDB HAs BEEN
DEscRIBED As sImIlAR TO THAT Of A lION
because it is powerful and low-to-the-ground, yet quite
easy and graceful for the DDBs size and mass.”
194 • ShowSight Magazine, April 2013