I have seen both sides of the latter. At a show way back in the '90s, my friend Peggy Carr got a Group 1 on Dustin, her very special Dandy Dinmont. There was a delay for Best in Show, then we realized that the Best in Show Judge had pulled out the standard for the breed because he had never judged them. He wanted to give her the fairest shot that he could by studying the standard so he had some current knowledge on what they should be. That judge immediately earned the respect of everyone there. In my opinion she should have won BIS since that was the best dog of that breed the dog had ever seen, but it didn't happen. :( Dustin was still an awesome dog.
On the flip side, with Havanese, at a Toy Specialty, Judge Jackie Stacy lifted up the braids on a bitch Dave was showing and dropping the braids exclaimed with what sounded like confusion or disgust, "What's this?!? Does the standard even allow these?" You could hear her outside of the ring! What a horrible comment to make. Not only to offend exhibitors, but to broadcast your lack of knowledge of the standard. Well, Dave was diplomatic, but at that point, I would have figured that I was losing anyway and would have told her that I would wait so she could go read the standard. I guess that's why he's the professional.
Mr/Ms Judge: Even if it has been a while since you have judged a breed, the breeds and counts are posted, and as a judge you can request the composition of your assignment prior to judging to give you time to familiarize yourself with the standard of those breeds you may not have judged in a while. Or in the case of a Miscellaneous or Open show, you may never have even seen, let alone had your hands on or judged - do a service to the exhibitors and yourself - re-read the correct standard. If you don't have a copy, contact the Parent Club or AKC and get it.
If you have followed this blog, even in the last few weeks, you know how well Dudley has been doing. Well, poor Studley Dudley, didn't even win his class at the Saturday afternoon show under Judge Michael Greenberg.
Our breeder spoke with the judge afterwards and Mr. Greenberg's comments included the following. Mr. Greenberg is certified by the AKC to judge 5 Herding breeds, Miscellaneous, and Juniors:
"Well, he doesn't move like a Basset" -
Mr. Greenberg, while 'Basset' may be in the name of the breed, he is not a Basset Hound! Below is from the AKC Standard for the Basset Hound.
Gait
The Basset Hound moves in a smooth, powerful, and effortless manner. Being a scenting dog with short legs, it holds its nose low to the ground. Its gait is absolutely true with perfect coordination between the front and hind legs, and it moves in a straight line with hind feet following in line with the front feet, the hocks well bent with no stiffness of action. The front legs do not paddle, weave, or overlap, and the elbows must lie close to the body. Going away, the hind legs are parallel.
When was the last time you say a Basset going around the Group or Best in Show ring with his nose to the ground? The judges interpret it however they want, and that is what we are stuck with, we just hope the Parent Club writes a good standard, and the judges read it.
"According to the FCI standard...they are supposed to move like a Basset Hound...etc"
This is the AKC. However we have all shown puppies, and a few adults who do move around with their noses low to the ground! So maybe that is what he was going on.
The FCI standard does not compare the GBGV with a Basset Hound.
FCI GBGV:
GAIT / MOVEMENT : The dog in action must give an impression of resistance and ease; the movement must be free and harmonious.
FCI BASSET HOUND:
GAIT / MOVEMENT: Most important to ensure that the hound is fit for purpose. Smooth, powerful and effortless action with forelegs reaching well forward and hind legs showing powerful thrust, hound moving true both front and rear. Hocks and stifles never stiff in movement, nor must any toes be dragged.
"His front and rear aren't like a Basset"
Again - Not a Basset Hound - none of the GBGVs there had Basset fronts or rears.
Something about his coat and a Basset
Let's see - the puppies have a smooth coat - kind of like a Basset, the adults do not. Mr. Greenberg put up two bouncy puppies over some very nice adults.
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| Sidekick's Dudley Do Right Dudley at 3 months with smooth soft puppy coat |
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| Sidekick's Dudley Do Right Dudley at 7 weeks Soft squishy puppy |
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| Sidekick's Dudley Do Right Dudley at 16 months Scruffy, semi-hard & kind of wiry young adult coat |
No matter who would have won yesterday, without the Greenberg comments, I would not be on this rant right now, but with
To All Judges: All we ask is that you don't take your assignments lightly. Your awards determine breeding stock. Whether you really understand it or not, you determine the future of the breeds that you judge. When you put up an inferior dog (say a 16" Bichon), that dog is only being shown because the breeder doesn't care and wants a championship so they can breed giant Bichons and sell them as 'champion sired.' Many of you will consistently overlook a small bitch, within the standard, over a bigger, less correct dog, purely based on size, (because if it's a working dog bigger must be better). Then there are those who judge based on handler rather than conformation. That hurts all of us. It hurts the sport, the competitors, and most importantly the future of the breed. You get paid to be there, we exhibitors pay for your 'expertise.' It costs us much more than that $30 entry fee to present our dogs to you. Please do us the service that you are paid for. Please know the standard. If you have questions, read it again, even refer to it in the ring if you need to. Don't rely on just one breeder to 'mentor' you, but ask your questions of many people, then form your own opinion. Be consistent. We know judges that consistently will put up Joe Schmoe even if he walks into the ring with a 3 legged pot bellied pig. And we know judges that don't give a rat's a** who is holding the lead as long as it's a good dog. We really enjoy showing to those judges, and will travel far to find them, but we will only show our best dogs to them. In my opinion, all judges should strive to have people think that highly of them.
Good Luck to us all.
