Showsight - May 2018

THE SPORTING GROUP: CHANGES IN GROOMING & PRESENTATION OVER THE YEARS

by JEFFREY G. PEPPER Photos courtesy of Westminster Kennel Club & David Frei

A ll the breeds in the Sport- ing Group were developed for a specific hunting func- tion in a specific geographi- cal locale. The type of coat each breed possesses reflects this hunting heritage and the geographical location where the breed was developed. As a result, some breeds have longer coats and oth- ers shorter coat. For example, the six Retriever breeds have amongst them breeds requiring longer coat, short coat, curly coat and straight coat. In the more than 40 years I have been involved in the Sport of Dogs, we have seen a num- ber of changes in the presentation of nearly all breeds in the Group. Accompanying this article are pho- tos of big winners from the late 1960s to very recently. Take a few moments to look at the comparisons. Its very inter- esting to see some of the top winners in various breeds and the differences in coat and presentation over the years. While there will always be an evo- lutionary process over time in each breed, a question asked by many serious breeders is whether or not all of the

changes are for the betterment of the breed. It can be legitimately argued that changes in coat preparation are, at least partially, the result of two things—the now common use of the strong blow drier and the wide range of grooming preparations that change the texture of the coat and allow the groomer to hold the coat in place once applied, in addi- tion to permitting other more sophis- ticated grooming techniques. Some would say that changes in grooming over time can be considered extreme in some breeds. The “whys” of this are of interest. Many say that, in the rush to win, pro- fessional handlers, breeder/owners and owner/handlers alike do whatever they can to enhance the appearance of their charges hopes of increasing their chances of winning. Some of the “tricks of the trade” are aimed at mak- ing the dogs look more appealing and others were developed to try to hide imperfections in the dogs’ conforma- tion. These tricks are used on short and long coated dogs alike and involve both cosmetic “enhancements” and changed

handling techniques. Though profes- sional handlers may have started some of these trends, amateur handlers have been quick to follow the pros’ lead in the quest to win. As a result of this perceived need, grooming techniques sometimes don’t follow the require- ments of the breed’s Standard. It is inter- esting to note that, at least technically, many of these techniques are also ille- gal under current AKC rules. However, these rules are very rarely enforced. There is another presentation phe- nomenon that has appeared in the last 20 years or so and does not seem to vary much from breed to breed (or Group to Group for that matter), one that, person- ally, I find particularly displeasing. This is the tendency to race dogs around the ring at a speeds that are far too fast for the construction and original intent of the breed. We have all seen the spec- tacle of the Cocker Spaniel keeping up with the Irish Setter or the Sussex moving around the ring at a speed that keeps pace with the English Springer Spaniel. Why people seem to think that feet flying in the air—especially the rear

2007’s Garden Best in Show, Ch. Felicity’s Diamond Jim. Again handled from a kneeling position with hands in a similar position as the earlier winner. While handling presentation is similar, the coat is smoother and a bit fuller and the outlines are cleaner and more defined.

Two time Westminster Best in Show winner (1971 & 1972) English Springer Spaniel Ch. Chinoe’s Adamant James. Again presented with the handler kneeling and holding head and tail. This dog carries less coat than the more recent winner and the lines of his trim are a bit less precise and even.

192 • S how S ight M agazine , M ay 2018

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