Page 275 - Showsight April 2013
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SIZING UP THE
TIBETAN MASTIFF
By Rick Eichhorn
A
s judges, on any given
day, based on the entries
present in our ring, we
are responsible to select
our winners. Ideally, we
have a working knowl-
edge of the breed standard and experience
in judging the breed before us. With a rela-
tively rare breed like the Tibetan Mastiff,
“relative” is the operative word. Which
standard (AKC, FCI, CKU, or ???), which
preferences and which variety or type
come into play and are prioritized as we
make our decisions? When in doubt, do
we play it safe, or venture out, go with our
gut and make a statement?
As a breeder-judge with thirty five years
invested in this breed, and having judged
TMs in the US, Germany, Holland, the
Czech Republic, Taiwan, Russia, Estonia
and numerous times in China (writing this
very article en route to Beijing now), I can
offer my experience and insight as to what
makes a proper Tibetan Mastiff for me,
and suggest how to prioritize your place-
ments. And second guessing yourself after
you have handed ribbons out can be par
for the course.
I have to admit, there have been occa-
sions when even I look back on my win-
ners and I surprise myself. But such is the
nature of judging dogs. Each of us has a
method or formula by which we reach
our decisions. Do we narrow the field by
correct movement and structure and then
select for type from those sound examples
of the breed, or do we make our first cut
based on correct type and then find the
overall soundest dog? Half a dozen of one,
six of the other.
I can tell you what has served me well
and hope that it inspires others and equips
them with an expanded skill set. I watch
everything. From how the dogs behave
at ringside, to how they enter the ring, to
how they line up and how they interact
with the other dogs entered. Everything
potentially counts and lends perspec-
tive. In the initial lineup, I take a long,
(Left) Beautiful head study of a mature adult
gold sable male with desired type and
expression. (Top) Four black/tan TMs showing
the variations in the shades of tan, and the
amount of tan. (Bottom) The various shades of
gold detailed and preferred in breed standards.
S
how
S
ight
M
agazine
, A
pril
2013 • 275
