Uniform Judging Can coat throw off the most discerning eye? BY DAVID W. HADDOCK
R esponsible dog judging entails much more than ring time; it is a life long pursuit of edu- cation. Years ago, a person who had the eye, experience, and education to properly critique a dog or a dog situation was known as a “good dog man.” Today, we all know men and women who fit that descrip- tion, and those of us who intently take the responsibility aspire to achieve that worthy distinction.
Photo by Sharon Carvalho
While I enjoy it, I take the judging of dogs seriously. I have been humbled as a breed judge, and I am much less likely to be overtly critical of the choices made by fellow judges, particularly as I venture beyond my own breed and into judging others that are not as familiar to my eye or experience. When multiple exhibits possess the type, temperament, and sound- ness we seek in our ideal breed dog, there is room for honest disagreement. In the dog community, there is a wealth of knowl- edge for those who seek it. On many occasions, it has been my great pleasure to interact with the most revered of our fancy. When I keep my mouth shut and my ears open during the group judging, to and from the show site, or over a dinner or drink back at the hotel, I can usually pick up some valuable absolutes that enlighten my canine education. I am relatively new to “the club,” and the simple truth is I have much more to learn than to teach. Except with this article I do wish to teach—or rather remind—my colleagues of a simple, yet salient truth. There’s a dog under that coat! This axiom
should resonate with all who seek to preserve breed type and are passionate about the integrity of all “long- coated” breeds. At almost any judging seminar and particularly those involving long-coated dogs, we are reminded again and again to “put your hands on the dogs” and get under the coat. Still, I regularly observe long- coated dogs being judged with only the slightest hands-on evaluation. I wonder how the manipula- tion of such a minor part of breed type can so over- whelm the more important characteristics beneath it. Neither coat, nor the silhouette it presents, are type. Let me put this in perspective. Coat is a component of type. In the Alaskan Malamute, the double coat is an obvious survival characteristic of the breed. The coarse guard coat is water repellent. Together with the insulating undercoat, the Malamute retains body heat and can survive in extreme temperatures—a vital requirement for its function. Nevertheless, a Mala- mute with correct coat but without the correct head, bite, eyes, or ears necessary for survival will cease
“JUDGES SHOULD LOOK FIRST FOR REQUISITE BREED TYPE AND REWARD THE ATHLETE PRESENTED IN THE CORRECT UNIFORM THAT BEST EXHIBITS THESE UNDERLYING ATTRIBUTES. NOW THAT WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL!”
48 • S how S ight M agazine , M ay 2018
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