Uniform Judging: Can a coat throw off...
BY DAVID W. HADDOCK continued
“...COATS ARE UNIFORMS AND MANY ARE TAILORED TO CONSTRUCT A PICTURE OF BREED TYPE.”
David is the long-serving President of the Nashville Dog Training Club, where he has been instrumental in developing multiple ven- ues for canine performance. During his tenure, the club has gained national recogni- tion for its semiannual 4-day agility trials and multiple venues for obedience, rally, tracking, and lure cours- ing. He is also a member of the Nashville Kennel Club, Santa Barbara Kennel Club, Westchester Kennel Club, and the Westminster Kennel Club, where he serves on the Dog Committee. David is a nationally recognized obedi- ence judge, having adjudicat- ed at over 300 trials in 40+ states. He is also approved for several breeds within the Working Group. David is a graduate of Washington & Lee University (BA, 1983) and Columbia University (MBA, 1987). He spent his early professional career with New York-based real estate and finance com- panies before embarking on a successful entrepreneurial career, first in the health-care field and later in consumer products. He was a founding partner and/or executive in multiple start-ups and early stage businesses, includ- ing Windy Hill Pet Food, a roll-up ultimately acquired by Mars Pedigree. He has worked internationally as a pet industry consultant, and owns and manages several niche brands within the pet food industry.
to function. The Malamute with- out a strong neck, powerfully balanced movement, or good feet will not complete its job in the snow. Despite its proper coat, the Malamute described could not perform its function and should not be rewarded. Likewise, in breeds where coat is more cloak than comfort and scissoring is the norm, we must not allow it or its groomer to distract us from the rest of the dog. According to its breed standard, the Portuguese Water Dog should present “an indelible impression of strength, spirit and soundness.” Shown in multiple presentations of the two coat types and clips allowed, the gifted groomer can sculpt a dog from the “profuse, thickly plant- ed” coat. One must look beyond this important, but diminished distraction, and seek a robust and spirited dog of moderate propor- tion. Unlike Samson, the strength of the dog is not in the hair! The correct Portuguese water dog head is “distinctively large, well proportioned with excep- tional breadth of topskull,” an essential part of a body that is “ruggedly built” and “well- knit.” No amount or style of hair should camouflage this construc- tion. This mariner requires the muscle and substance that will take it through a full day of work on water and land. Coat can’t do that! Think of it like this: Coats are uniforms and many are tailored to construct a picture of breed type. Crafting a dog’s uniform no more indicates correct form and func- tion than wearing an NFL jersey makes a Hall of Fame quarter- back. Regardless of the uniform, we should require that under-
neath it are the components that make the dog singularly prepared, equipped, and willing to perform duties associated with its task. Recently (and too often), I have heard it said that a winning exhibit is “beautiful” or “pretty,” an apparent, if not singular jus- tification for its reward. Such terms are not breed specific. A generic show dog can be pretty, and devoid a standard, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When an exhibit best exudes the essen- tial characteristics outlined in the breed standard, “beautiful” is the result, not the reason. “Pretty” is as pretty does! Judges should look first for requisite breed type and reward the athlete presented in the correct uniform that best exhibits these underly- ing attributes. Now that would be beautiful! A native of Wichita, Kan- sas, David obtained his first purebred dog in the 1970’s, during which time he owner- handled the Alaskan Malam ute to an obedience title and conformation championship. He later acquired Portuguese Water Dogs, handling one of the first PWDs to achieve both Breed Championship and Utility Dog titles. He is a former board member of the PWD parent club and has authored several PWD articles that have appeared in national publications. David and his family have also owned and exhibited Border Terriers, Parson Rus- sell Terriers, Havanese, Chi- huahuas, Toy Fox Terriers, Whippets, and Samoyeds.
50 • S how S ight M agazine , M ay 2018
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