JUDGING THE DANDIE
By Betty-Anne Stenmark
Group of Dandies from a painting by John Emms (1879-1890)
Ch. Brigadoon Telstar (1968) - Twice national specialty winner, a great sire, a dog who could compete today, 45 years later.
Austr. Grand & Am. Ch. Hobergays Fineus Fogg (Harry) - Top dog all breeds 2007, handled to 30 all breed Bests in Show by Emma Greenway in Australia and 66 all breed Bests in Show in America by Bill McFadden.
I n America we judge by com- parison so if you are already approved for other short-legged long-bodied breeds you will find judging the Dandie easier than those who are not. Th ere are three essential elements of breed type that must be present. 1) A very long silhouette 2) Silhouette must be a series of gentle curves in the right places 3) Crowned with an impressive, distinc- tive head
Th e Dandie is rectangular. Like the Sus- sex Spaniel, Basset Hound, Dachshund, Skye Terrier, and both the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgi, lowness to ground and great length of body is desired. Th e Dandie is twice as long as he is tall, less one to two inches, measured from the withers so this is a very long dog indeed. When is the last time you saw a Dandie in the ring who was as long as the Skye Terrier? Unlike the Skye, unfortunately the Dandie as a breed has di ffi culty keeping the virtue of great body length. O ff type would be
upright and square, anything bordering on cobby, all are very wrong in the Dandie. Th e outline is a series of gentle curves; in the breed we call it “weasely,” a breed hallmark. Th e arch in the neck, the slight downward curve over the withers, the slight arch over the loin, and the very slight drop over the croup to the upright curve of the scimitar-shaped and carried tail, describes the correct topline. Th e Standard describes it well when it says; “the outline is a con- tinuous flow from the crest of the neck to the tip of the tail.” Balance and symmetry
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