JUDGING THE AMERICAN ESKIMO DOG
by BARBARA E. BEYNON
T his year, 2015, marks the 20th anniversary of full recognition of the American Eskimo Dog (AED) by the AKC. Most judg- es and aspiring judges have had plenty of time to see the range of correct styles (the word I use to describe variations of correct type) of Eskies in the show ring. The American Eskimo Dog, or “Eskie”, is a small- to medium-sized white Nordic type dog whose country of origin is the US. It is bred in three sizes--Toy (9 to 12 inches), Miniature (over 12 to 15 inches) and Standard (over 15 to 19 inches). Any Eskie under 9 inches or over 19 inches is disqualified. Other breed-specific disquali- fications are blue eyes and any color other than white or white with biscuit cream. Faults listed in the Breed Standard which are so severe as to compromise correct breed type include pink nose pigment, pink lip pigment, pink eye rim pigment and yellow eye color. Some judges believe that Eskie fanci- ers should remove their emphasis on Toy, Mini and Standard, but size is an essential element of correct AED type. Two disquali- fications are provided for size: Under 9 inches and over 19. Judges must also remember that in divided Open classes, they must pay spe- cial attention to the divisions of 12 and 15 inches and be prepared to measure an Eskie which does not meet the require- ments of its class. An AED which is found to be in the wrong class is marked as “Excused-Measured out” (it is only dis- qualified if it is under 9 or over 19). A real- life example which I witnessed was in an Open Miniature Bitch class during which the judge called for the wicket and mea- sured out an under-12-inch bitch. The bitch was not disqualified as she was between 9 and 19 inches; but she was excused
from the Miniature class because she was a Toy. The AKC considers the Eskie to be a “low entry breed”, which is good and bad for judges. Good because judges are able to continue with the approval process for new breeds; but bad because they may complete their permit assignments without ever judging an AED. Sometimes a judge will have only one outstanding exhibit, but they may be afraid to reward it because it looks different from the oth- ers and the judge does not want to justify the placement of the odd-dog with the
the Breed class as handlers for the Winners are found. If additional placements are required in the Breed class, judges must pay special attention to handler swapping. Recently I passed off my Winners Dog to a friend while I stayed on my specials bitch. I marked the entries for all of my dogs as eligible for NOHS; and the judge wanted to use my Winners Dog for NOHS Best of Breed. But when I passed him off, he became ineligible for the prize. The judge and steward thought that was the case and I assured them that they were correct.
“THE AED IS A TABLE BREED, REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE OF THE EXHIBITS ENTERED THAT DAY.”
AKC Field Rep. Sometimes an assignment may include only one of a particular sized Eskie and the judge feels that they must be constant in rewarding size. Judges have told me “I put up a Miniature for Win- ners Dog, so I had to continue to use Min- is”. Please do not fall into either of these two patterns. The Eskie is primarily an owner-han- dled breed, so swapping of dogs between classes will occur in the event of a large entry. While the handlers should not hold up your ring too much, they do need a little time to switch dogs and armbands. Typical- ly the most swaps and confusion come for
The AED is a table breed, regardless of the size of the exhibits entered that day. Even if the entire entry is comprised of Standards and the handlers do not make use of the table, please remind exhibi- tors that all entries are examined on the table. If a judge needs to recheck a feature, put the AED back on the table. Do NOT put two Eskies on the same table at one time! The Eskie is territorial and protec- tive of its handler; and whichever Eskie gets on the table first will likely challenge the other. As a breeder-owner-handler of many Eskies, I spend time training my dogs
196 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J ULY 2015
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