Tuesday, September 30, 2014

OFFA Exam or Conformation Judging?

I am hearing of this more and more, as well as having experienced it first hand.  What about you?  

Is this a new AKC directive, or are these judges rogue judges who think that they are doing OFFA exams on my dog's patellas and seeing if they can pop their hips out!  

We all know that there are judges who are 'heavy-handed' and not necessarily the most gentle.  We don't show puppies to these judges, because after all these years, if they haven't lightened up yet, I wouldn't expect them to start now.  Still, those heavy-handed judges examine the dogs, checking the head ratios, the eyes, the bite, following down for the proper shoulder layback, and front legs.  Proceeding down the back checking for proper topline with rise, slope, or level, then the tail, tailset, and rear.  At no time do these judges grab my dog by their elbows and hold on and continue to hold on and pull forward when my dog freaks and tries to back up.  Why are you grabbing and holding my dogs elbows?  What are you looking for?  

Why are you manipulating her patellas?  Are you a vet?  
Did I ask you for an OFFA patellar luxation exam?  NO, I DID NOT!   I paid for your so-called educated opinion on whether or not my dog meets the approved AKC standard for the breed and is worthy of receiving points towards it's championship today.  

And speaking of educated... if you are going to tell me that there is something specifically incorrect with my dog, and are 'quoting' the standard, you had better be quoting the correct standard.  I don't like arguing with judges but when you are so adamant about a specific item, to the point that it makes me question my knowledge of the standard, I am going to go immediately to the standard and look it up, then I am coming back for a chat.