WORKING GROUP JUDGES Q&A
Have I judged any Working Group Specialties? I have had the pleasure of judging many Working Dog Specialties both in the US and abroad, and have experienced only one disappointment; my recent inability to judge Alaskan Malamutes at the World Dog Show in the Czech Republic, due to pandemic restrictions. However, it is best for me to remember my many other wonderful assignments. Two of my early assignments were Siberian Husky Specialties. I have judged numerous other Working Breed Specialties, including one for Black Russian Terriers, the Cane Corso Regional, and Great Pyrenees. More recently, I judged Specialties in Alaska for Bernese Mountain Dogs, Rottweilers, and the Great Dane of Mat-Su Club. My overseas assignments have included a Malamute Specialty in Australia, the French Alaskan Malamute National, an Alaskan Malamute and Northern Dog Specialty in the Czech Republic, and another Malamute Specialty in Southern Spain. Judging my own breed is always an exciting experience. I have officiated at several Area and Regional Specialties for Malamutes, and in 2018, I was given the honor to judge our National. What exciting times these all were! Do I find that size, proportion, and substance are correct in most Working breeds? Proportions must also be considered. When a standard asks for a square profile, such as in Boxers, Danes, and Dobermans, any deviation lessens what the breed standard is asking for. Sound movement is critical in Working breeds, although there are some differences within this Group, depending on the specific purpose of each breed. For example, it is acceptable for the Nea- politan Mastiff to pace, rather than have a flashy endurance trot. His movement is slow and lumbering. His function as a guard dog requires that he lay in wait for the intruder. Then he moves quickly and powerfully over a short distance to intercept his victim. Is breed-specific presentation important to me as a judge? Can I offer some examples? Breed-specific presentation is important, as it helps to identify correct aspects of each individual standard. Emphasizing elegant length of neck in a Great Dane is one example. Alaskan Malamutes often drop their tails when relaxed. It is accept- able for the handler to gently hold the tail up so that the judge can see the plume over the back and the correct tail set. Presentation of full dentition is also important in breeds that have teeth DQs such as the Rottweiler, Doberman, and Black Russian Terrier. Head proportions, and specific expression, are required in many Working breeds such as the Dogue de Bordeaux, Cane Corso, and Boxer, and therefore, should be correctly emphasized and presented to the judge during evaluation. What are my thoughts on cropping/docking the Working breeds? My thoughts on cropping and docking are mixed. Perhaps we are moving in a direction where this is an inevitable outcome in our sport. If keeping breeds natural is what will be required in order to continue having dog shows; then, of course, I will support this. However, would I prefer to leave things the way they have always been? Yes, and perhaps this has to do with my age, and preferring not to have things change. I hope I will continue to do the best that I can as a judge, no matter what decisions are made. Are the Working breeds in good shape overall? Any concerns? My impressions of the Working Group today are generally posi- tive. There are numerous excellent dogs being exhibited in many breeds. However, it is unfortunate that entries have dropped, and some breeds are not seen in sufficient numbers. Recently, more Aki- tas have been shown, and the quality has definitely improved. The Doberman breed appears to be in good shape, and I always have several excellent dogs to choose from. There is, generally, a nice entry of Mastiffs in the ring, and I have been impressed with the gains made in this breed, both in depth of body and in movement. Although we don’t see too many Neapolitan Mastiffs or Kuvasz, the few that are being shown are of excellent breed type. Hopefully, the
trend in larger entries and continuing improvement in all breeds will be on the upswing. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Work- ing Dogs of the past? There are always some great dogs being shown, whether it be in the past or the present. Styles change, but the good ones will always be found. Just for laughs, do I have a funny story I can share about my experiences judging the Working Group? Judging can be a daunting and serious business that does not always make room for laughter. I can’t think of one particularly funny incident that stands out for me, except when I judge puppies. Who does not melt when you meet a happy, silly puppy that is just having a grand time in the ring? They don’t stand still; they wiggle, and they often try to give kisses. That always puts a smile on my face, and reminds me why I love judging! P. LEVI MARSMAN
I have been in the sport of purebred dogs since 1959 as a breeder of Dober- man Pinschers, boarding kennel owner and operator, professional handler, and now as an AKC Judge. I am approved to judge all Retrievers, the Hound, Work- ing, and Herding Groups, Best in Show, and Junior Showmanship. Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a judge? I live
in S. Easton, Massachusetts. I’ve been in dogs since 1959. I got back from Norway in 1975. I applied, I think, in ‘78 and was probably approved in 1980. What is my original breed? What is/was my kennel name? My original breed is the Doberman Pinscher. The kennel name is Ram- liph. That’s Philmar backwards. Can I list a few of the notable dogs I’ve bred? Any performance or Parent Club titles? I didn’t show my own dogs because I was handling back then and felt it was a conflict of interest showing clients’ dogs against my own. However, people I’ve sold dogs to have shown some of the breeding, but I don’t have the records of that. I used to be a treasurer of the Northeast Doberman Pinscher Club in Massachusetts. What are the qualities I most admire in the Working breeds? I pondered that question, and I think their nobility, mainly, and their power. Have I judged any Working Group Specialties? Yes, I’ve judged the Alaskan Malamute Club of America, 11/25/78, Alaskan Mal- amute Club, 11/22/80, Oil Capital Doberman Pinscher Club, 5/16/81, Great Dane Club of Pennsylvania, Central Pennsylvania, 6/14/82, and the Siberian Husky Club of Niagara Falls. (I cannot remember the date.) Do I find that size, proportion and substance are correct in most Working breeds? I think, yes, but I think a lot of standards are ambiguous of this overall. Is breed-specific presentation important to me as a judge? Yes, absolutely. If it’s a guard dog, I want this to be followed in the tem- perament—no shyness. I have a big problem with this. What are my thoughts on cropping, docking the Working breeds? I have no problem with it. Whatever the standard calls for, that’s what I adhere to when I’m judging. Are the Working breeds in good shape overall? Do I have any concerns? Overall, I think I see quality has lessened. However, usu- ally I’m able to find decent specimens for Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, Best of Breed, and so forth. In my opinion, how do today’s exhibits compare with the Work- ing Dogs of the past? I think the breeders have done a good job, but
160 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 2022
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