Form Follows FUNCTION
BY STEPHANIE HEDGEPATH
TAKING A DETOUR FOR PRESERVATION BREEDERS
I am taking a bit of a detour from my usual comments on structure and move- ment. I have been pondering the advent of the use of “preservation breeder,” which has caused this new angle in my column. If a Pembroke Welsh Corgi looks more like a Cardigan, does it matter how well the dog moves? Breed character is of primary importance in any breed. If, when looking at a dog of a spe- cific breed, another breed immediately comes to mind, that dog lacks breed charac- ter. Therefore, if at first glance a dog looks as it should in make and shape, only then should one look to see if it also moves as the breed is expected to move. Movement is an integral part of type, but “make and shape” come first. Now, on to the detour. Are there any dumb questions? That depends. If someone asks a question because they don’t know the answer (especially those new to the fancy and trying to learn about their chosen breed), I don’t think so. How else are you going to learn if you are unsure about something? Are there any dumb answers ? Absolutely yes! We all know those certain individuals who have the answer for any question, whether the answer is truly a fact or is just pulled from their fanciful imaginations. The best way to learn is to ask someone whom you think has the knowledge to answer. Sounds easy, but as we warn the wonderful people who purchase our puppies, social media and the Internet are NOT the best places to find information, as you have no idea if the person answering has been in the breed for 50 years or are on their very first dog. We encourage them to contact us, their puppy’s breeders, and promise to serve as 24/7/365 free tech service for the life of the puppy. What is the most important question to ask? Think back to when you were a child or as a parent. What was the question your children asked the most? That’s easy for all of us, as the answer is, “Why? Why, Why, WHY?” What is so impor- tant, for those of us who breed and show our dogs, about asking this question? I have heard so often the statement that because most of our breeds no longer have to perform the task(s) for which they were developed, why is it so important that they can do so? Herding dogs rarely herd, Terriers rarely go-to-ground in pursuit of game, Sporting dogs and Hounds rarely hunt, and Working dogs rarely work. About the only group of dogs that still routinely perform the task for which they were developed are those found in the Toy Group. I have consistently said over the years that we who proclaim to be “show breeders” must know the whys and where- fores of the essential breed characteristics that make each of our breeds unique.
“THE BEST WAY TO LEARN IS TO ASK SOMEONE WHOM YOU THINK HAS THE KNOWLEDGE TO ANSWER.”
58 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2021
Powered by FlippingBook