anatomy of the exhibit. An excellent specimen will have a front reach coming nearly to a vertical line from the tip of its nose to the ground. Th e top line should remain straight and level at the trot. As a drover, they require ease of move- ment. If the flock moves 12 miles in a day, the dog may cover forty miles or more, back and forth. Th is in turn requires balance. Balance in form and balance in action. As the gait reaches a trot, “the feet converge toward the center line of gravity…” Th is is not an excuse for other obvious faults in gait that detract from e ffi cient movement. Th e degree of rear angulation, while it should be commensurate with that of the front, is vitally important to the dog’s
ability to function as a herder. A careful examination with the hand (again under the coat) is required to gain an accurate assessment of the bend of stifle and short- ness of the rear pastern. Placing an index finger vertically against the pastern can be a useful gauge of its length. Tails are problematic. Some Spanish Water Dogs are born tailless. Others have naturally bobbed tails of varying lengths while still others are docked by breeders between the second and fourth vertebrae at birth. In Europe and the UK there are numerous full tails. We anticipate that American judges will encounter a full tail at one time or another in the future. At present there is no standard or preference
for tail length or carriage except that the “tail is set smoothly into the croup neither high nor low.” Th e remaining disqualifications, for a second color other than white or for “Tri- color, tan point” are fairly obvious and easy to detect. Coloration is currently not a problem in the breed. As with most breeds that are in the pro- cess of recognition by the AKC, the judge will find a wide range of type and quality. Th e stabilization of breed type, and there- fore its success, is dependent on the evalua- tion of the dog as a whole. Th e parent club is grateful to judges who are familiar with the essence and purpose of the breed and make their placements accordingly.
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