Page 200 - ShowSight - October 2019

Whose Fault Is It: Breeder, Handler or Judge BY TERENCE FARLEY continued
“IS ANYONE AT FAULT,
OR ARE WE ALL AT FAULT?
IN MY OPINION WE ARE ALL AT FAULT...
THEREFORE BREEDERS, EXHIBITORS, AND JUDGES ALL HAVE AN EQUAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PRESERVATION IN OUR BREED.”
Or should we blame the Judge? Accord- ing to Wikipedia, “A dog show judge, some- times dog judge, is a person that is qualified to evaluate dogs at a conformation show.” Becoming a judge is not an easy task. A judge must have bred and exhibited dogs for several years, gained experience with show ring procedures including steward- ing, completed training including but not limited to judges’ education seminars, ringside mentoring, attending national spe- cialties, being mentored, as well as having to go through an interview process which includes written/oral evaluations, as well as ringside observations by AKC field reps. Prospective judges are highly trained to evaluate the dogs that will be presented to them. Outside the ring we often scratch our heads and ask how or why did the judge put up one dog versus another. From outside the ring the onlooker cannot see the dog’s bite, determine by feeling if the dog has the proper rise, shoulder lay back, correct front, and so on. Other times a ringside observer will feel that the dog receiving an award did not show the proper elements of breed type. Judges might say that the dog they awarded the points to was the best they had to work with. Back to the blame game; breeders and exhibitors are not showing the best exam- ples of the breed.
So what can we do as breeders, exhibi- tors, or judges? Is anyone at fault, or are we all at fault? In my opinion we are all at fault. I like to compare this situation to an equi- lateral triangle; in geometry an equilateral triangle is a triangle in which all three sides
are equal. Therefore breeders, exhibitors, and judges all have an equal responsibility in the preservation in our breed.
Breeders need to stay true to the breed. Breeding the best possible dog according the ‘breed standard.’ There will always be room (within reason) for interpretation of the standard.
Exhibitors need to show the best exam- ple of the breed according to ‘the standard.’ Show the dog to its fullest extent, make it shine in the ring and limit grooming to meet the set guidelines of the standard.
Judges need to award dogs that are the best examples of the breed type as they understand it, encourage new breeders and exhibitors when possible, and withhold rib- bons if and when necessary.
For example, the Havanese Judges’ Edu- cation department has an excellent guide: Havanese Breed Type at a Glance. This guide outlines the six critical elements of the Havanese Breed Type (ie: What makes a Havanese unique amongst toys?):
1. Topline: Straight, but not level, ris- ing slightly from the withers to rump... the result of moderate angulation fore and aft combined with a typically short upper arm.
2. Outline: Slightly longer than tall, with head carried high and tail arched over back.
3. Gait: Springy, with moderate reach and drive, showing free reach and good extension. Not stilted, May show flash of pad coming and going. The topline holds under movement, neither flattening nor roaching.
4. Coat: Soft, silky, wavy and abundant. May be corded.
5. Expression: Broad backskull and large, dark almond eyes; correct ear set fol- lows line of skull; full rectangular muzzle is slightly shorter than backskull. The expres- sion is soft and intelligent, mischievous rather than cute.
6. Temperament: Intelligent, playful, sweet and non-quarrelsome.
Important Note: The 6 critical ele- ments of breed type listed above are in judg- ing order, not in order of importance. All should be given equal weight in judging, regardless of whether they are visible on the go around or only on the table.
“Dog People” come in three main cat- egories; breeders, exhibitors, and judges. All three seem to have opinions about the ail- ments of the breed. Instead of playing the ‘Blame Game’ I believe, from my point of view as an experienced breeder and handler, that we each have a responsibility to ensure that we take an active role in correcting and preserving the breed that we love. Breeders; breed the best dogs possible following the guidelines set in the breed standard. Exhibi- tors; present the best example of the breed keeping true to the proper grooming and handling procedures when presenting in the ring. Judges; award the best examples of the standard in the ring, at times making difficult decisions.
Breeders, exhibitors and judges working together in tandem as partners is the solu- tion to what ails our breeds.
198 • ShowSight Magazine, october 2019