SIZING UP THE TIBETAN MASTIFF By Rick Eichhorn
A s judges, on any given day, based on the entries present in our ring, we are responsible to select our winners. Ideally, we have a working knowl- edge of the breed standard and experience in judging the breed before us. With a rela- tively rare breed like the Tibetan Masti ff , “relative” is the operative word. Which standard (AKC, FCI, CKU, or ???), which preferences and which variety or type come into play and are prioritized as we make our decisions? When in doubt, do we play it safe, or venture out, go with our gut and make a statement? As a breeder-judge with thirty five years invested in this breed, and having judged TMs in the US, Germany, Holland, the Czech Republic, Taiwan, Russia, Estonia and numerous times in China (writing this
very article en route to Beijing now), I can o ff er my experience and insight as to what makes a proper Tibetan Masti ff for me, and suggest how to prioritize your place- ments. And second guessing yourself after you have handed ribbons out can be par for the course. I have to admit, there have been occa- sions when even I look back on my win- ners and I surprise myself. But such is the nature of judging dogs. Each of us has a method or formula by which we reach our decisions. Do we narrow the field by correct movement and structure and then select for type from those sound examples of the breed, or do we make our first cut based on correct type and then find the overall soundest dog? Half a dozen of one, six of the other. I can tell you what has served me well and hope that it inspires others and equips
them with an expanded skill set. I watch everything. From how the dogs behave at ringside, to how they enter the ring, to how they line up and how they interact with the other dogs entered. Everything potentially counts and lends perspec- tive. In the initial lineup, I take a long,
(Left) Beautiful head study of a mature adult gold sable male with desired type and expression. (Top) Four black/tan TMs showing the variations in the shades of tan, and the amount of tan. (Bottom) The various shades of gold detailed and preferred in breed standards. 4 )08 4 *()5 . "(";*/& " 13*- t
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