Page 255 - ShowSight - February 2020

Two and a Half Minutes
BY MARYLYNNE ELLIOTT (AKC JUDGE)
RRCUS EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR
PHOTOS BY THERESA M. LYONS
The American Kennel Club gives judges two and half minutes to evaluate each dog in their ring. This is a brief summary of what to do in that eye blink of time.
Let’s assume we have already brought our dogs in, looked at the lineup, and moved them. As they go around, we
are going to check for lameness, for tail set, which show up when the dog moves and for smoothness of gait. This breed had to maintain a trot over long dis- tances before going out to worry a lion, or whatever game it was after. There is no place for exaggerated movement.
Now our first exhibit is ready to be examined. Her handler is stacking her as you look on.
Take in the overall dog in profile. What do you see? Does she look bal- anced and symmetrical? Does she
appear slightly longer than tall? Does her head have the correct parallel planes? Does the back skull look to be the same length as the muzzle? Are the eyes round and in keeping with the nose color of the dog? What about the coat color? Is it any shade of wheaten, from “amber waves of grain” to a light shade, the pale color of new wheat?
Looking more closely at the front assembly. The shoulder blade should be set well back, with the upper arm returning under the dog and forming a 90-degree angle. The elbow should be under the dog and well set in—ideally, located directly below the withers, as opposed to forward set. How about the forechest? Can you see it from the side? If so, chances are this dog has a correctly set front assembly.
The withers should be the highest point of our imaginary dog’s topline, and her back should be fairly straight and level with a slight arch over the loin, made up of muscling that is often felt rather than seen. Does the dog’s length of body come from the ribcage, as opposed to the loin? Does the angulation in the rear match the front, which should be the case if the dog is balanced and symmetrical? Is the underline slightly tucked up, neither too much nor too little? And last but not least, are the feet well arched and tightly made?
Now you are ready for a closer look. Approach the exhibit from a front angle—never from behind. Say hello to the handler, which breaks the ice and makes the dog feel like you >
ShowSight Magazine, February 2020 • 253