Q&A
“tHe AnguLAtion tHAt is CALLeD for in tHe stAnDArD ALLOWS A DOBERMAN TO HAVE GOOD REACH IN FRONT AND DRIVING POWER BEHIND.”
10. How does the breed in North America compare to other parts of the world? In Ireland I judged Irish and German Dobermans. They were much more substantial in bone and substance. Even though they had uncropped ears they still had heads and expressions that said, “Doberman”. Their tails were docked. 11. What previously campaigned Doberman(s) come close to your ideal? Please explain. Champion Brunswig’s Cryptonite 12. Do you have anything else to share? The judges approval process and the judge’s education institutes that AKC offered years ago prepared judges much better than the one we have now and have had for the last few years. I also believe that input from AKC Reps in regards to how a person judges a breed should not have been removed from the process. The exhibi- tors deserve more. I want to encourage exhibitors and handlers to read and reread the breed standard until they are totally familiar with what defines a Doberman. Judges must know and truly understand the breeds they judge, but the quality of the outcome also depends on the qual- ity of the exhibits that are entered. DOUG MATSON
5. Side gait (at proper speed) which shows angulation, balance and topline 2. Are there any unforgivable faults in the breed? Any faults that are not in keeping with proper Doberman type or which would which would make the dog unable to perform his required tasks. 3. Do uncropped ears and/or undocked tails affect judging? The DPCA is not in favor of uncropped ears or undocked tails; however, because of how the standard is written I find an undocked tail more severe than uncropped ears. 4. What are the most controversial breed topics? How do you address them? Other than tails and ears, the generic show dog (flash and dash) rather than a properly constructed Doberman. I see too many that are now balanced, that are lacking in bone, that do not have the called for front angulation and length of upper arm. 5. Which traits, if any, are becoming exaggerated? Fronts that are too straight and over angulated rears that lead to very sloping toplines and unbalanced movement. 6. What do handlers do in presentation that you wish they would not? They move their dogs too fast and they throw bait all over the ring. 7. What traits do you see popping up these days that are going in the wrong direction? What’s better? Lack of bone, straight fronts, short upper arms and over angulated rears. The only thing that I think that is get- ting better is that breeders are paying more attention to health issues. 8. Describe ideal Doberman movement and its impor- tance in judging. Their movement should be free and balanced. The angulation that is called for in the standard allows a Doberman to have good reach in front and driving power behind. Movement is important, but to me not as impor- tant as type. I am more concerned with side gait since it shows balance, angulation, top line and how the pieces fit together. I pay attention to the down and back, but not as much as I do to side gait. 9. What, if anything, do you feel non-breeder judges get wrong about the breed? I believe all judges myself included must strive to reward proper type first and foremost and remember that show- manship is just the icing on the cake.
1. In order, name the five most important traits you look for in the ring. 1. Overall impression/ breed type 2. Profile/silhouette 3. Head: Everything that makes up a proper head 4. Movement: Side gait and down and back
5. Temperament, although difficult to evaluate in the ring 2. Are there any unforgivable faults in the breed? Weak temperament; lacking secondary sex characteris- tics; lack of balance; bad head; poor outline; poor movement. 3. Do uncropped ears and/or undocked tails affect judging? While personally I would not want an uncropped or undocked Doberman and would never advocate chang- ing the standard, it is not difficult to see quality past
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