Q&A
“...A DoBermAn is not ConsiDereD A LArge BreeD...”
10. What previously campaigned Doberman(s) come close to your ideal? Please explain. A few that I feel were excellent representatives of the breed include CH Dabney’s Phenomenon, CD, ROM a top winner; GCH Alisaton’s Flight of the Phoenix, DPCA Top Twenty winner of a few years ago; and the Westminster Best-in-Show winner in the late 1980s, Ch. Tudor’s Wild as the Wind. All of these dogs had wonderful breed type, sound movement, correct heads and solid temperaments. 11. How does the breed in North America compare to other parts of the world? I believe that we have more depth of quality than in any country that I have judged and I have judged specialties in nearly all of the countries that I have visited. This is not to say that we have the only good dogs, just that we have more of them from what I have seen at the foreign shows. 12. Do you have anything else to share? Health issues are a concern. The most challenging being cardiomyopathy. Some think that cardio is rampant in the breed. There are a good number of instances where cardio occurs more frequently in some pedigrees than others. Breeders and buyers need to be aware that cardio is in the breed, but some pedigrees are riddled with it. Though there are no scientific studies to prove my point, my instincts tell me that it’s safer to breed to pedigrees that have fewer instances of cardio deaths. I’m not singling out anyone’s breeding program, but we must remember that breeding is a three legged stool... temperament, conformation and health. Breeders are free to balance these legs however they wish, but I would counsel a buyer to be aware of these factors in the pedi- gree. I know of some who are more inclined to breed for the great show dog, while sacrificing health or tempera- ment. Most buyers and breeders are not interested in a Doberman that can live to 16 years old, but looks like a Rhodesian Ridgeback, nor a perfect show dog that dies at 5 years old from cardio. Breeders and buyers should look for the overall balance in these issues, just as judges should look for overall qualities of the dog. ADRIAN WOODFORK 1. In order, name the five most important traits you look for in the ring. Squarely balanced (front and rear), strong topline, sound movement (especially side-gait), correct carriage and beautifully shaped head that fits body type. 2. Are there any
3. Do uncropped ears and/or undocked tails affect judging? I prefer that Dober- mans be cropped and docked. However, it is not up to me to disqualify a dog for having a long tail and uncropped ears. 4. Which traits, if any,
are becoming exaggerated? Over-angulation front and rear. 5. What do handlers do in presentation that you wish they would not? Handlers can be annoying when they constantly place their hands on a dog’s best body part. 6. What traits do you see popping up these days that are going in the wrong direction? What’s better? I think that breeders should always be aware that a Doberman is not considered a large breed and try to breed within the standard. Also, I see too many Dober- mans with weak and bumpy toplines. Lastly, tail sets are becoming too high. I feel temperaments are much better than they use to be. Much less shyness. 7. Describe ideal Doberman movement and its impor- tance in judging. Like most working breeds, Dobermans should cover ground with gusto… good balanced reach and drive. 8. What, if anything, do you feel non-breeder judges get wrong about the breed? I think that non-breeder judges often times make the mistake of not giving a smaller Doberman consider- ation and don’t understand that the standard calls for a medium size. Big is not better when the standard clearly states medium. 9. What previously campaigned Doberman(s) come close to your ideal? Please explain. There are two dogs that come to mind right away—Ch. Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici and Ch. Eastwick’s Meadow Monster. They are both excellent representatives of correct Doberman type. They both are balanced, square and moved with style and grace and exuded confidence inside the ring and out. I had the privilege of awarding the bitch “Fifi” her first specialty Best of Breed. She went
to win the Doberman National three times. 10. Do you have anything else to share?
In view of the fact that Doberman Pinschers have been portrayed as vicious attack dogs in movies, many people are fearful of them. However, this breed is a wonderful family dog that will bring joy and happiness to people wherever they reside, be it in a teepee or mansion. They just want to be by your side.
unforgivable faults in the breed? Squirrel tail (tail curled over the back).
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