Question of the Week

Steven Herman

Wesley Chapel, FL

That our Breed - German Shorthaired Pointers - are to be short backed and loins even though they are to stand over a lot of ground (maintaining good angulation).

 

Amy Kiell-Green

Flemington, NJ

Size does matter.

 

Randy Garren

Apex, NC

I am so glad to have the opportunity to answer. Concerning Poodles, we are losing the “light springy action” that is a very important breed characteristic.  Yes, a poodle definitely should be able to bring a bird back to you.  However, a poodle does not move like a typical sporting dog nor does it carry itself like a sporting dog (head up, tail up). By the way,  this is one of Annie’s quotes.  I wish it was mine!

 

Shelley Hennessy

Toledo, OH

Chinese Cresteds!  The breed is rectangular,  NOT off square, NOT slightly longer than tall! RECTANGULAR!   The word “rectangular” is actually in our standard!!!

 

Susan Shephard

Deltona, FL

Pekingese:

The most overlooked hallmark of the breed is the rolling gait.  The roll is created by slightly bowed front legs, a pear shaped body with a narrow rear.  Correct conformation will produce a slight side to side rolling action from the shoulders.  When you see these haystacks racing around the ring with a pounding up and down action, stop rewarding that as it's offensive. 

 

Anney Doucette

Lecanto, FL

"PRIMARILY A HUNTING DOG" is in the first paragraph of our standard.

Don't know what is required of a non-slip waterfowl and upland retriever? Never spent a day in the field to have this knowledge?

Don't feel qualified to judge what a dog of that function needs?

THEN DON'T JUDGE OUR BREED.

 

Suzie Rose

Napa, CA

In Bulldogs, too many are put up who have no visible tail. The Standard requires a tail. And it should be low set. Many top-winning Bulldogs have an inverted tail, and/or set high up - directed toward the sky. It is incorrect, but also unhealthy. They get infected easily, and most definitely can go along with spinal issues that can contribute to Spina Bifida when these dogs are used for breeding. And they are used a lot because of their stats, not because of their conformation to the Standard. Please stop awarding these faulty tails!

Keira Nguyen

Gardner, MA

A Breed characteristic that Judges overlook is the American Eskimo was originally a miniature NOT A Standard… Lots of Judges don’t know that the German Spitz which is where the breed originated is a Small Dog.

They also overlook that an American Eskimo should have biscuit as a breeding dog, it means the dog will produce puppies with better pigment (black eye rims, black noses that don’t turn pink in the winter or overall and very black paw pads) alot of the pure white American Eskimo’s are put up for breed and the dogs with pink noses.

 

Iva Kimmelman

Stow, MA

Heads.

In whippets, our standard calls for "fairly wide between the ears", (which translates to a wide backskull), "eyes LARGE, round to oval" and a scarcely perceptible stop.

So why do judges keep rewarding narrow skulls, with no stop and greyhound heads with raisin sized eyes?

 

Cynthia Sisson

Mountainair, NM

Greyhounds

Muscular - one of the most common words in the brief greyhound standard.

 

Bryan Martin

Milwaukie, OR

Flanged Ribs in Basset Hounds, now seeing the concern in Dachshunds as well. Trimming Samoyeds like Bichons because they have a droopy coat!

 

Jinny Nealon

Plymouth, MA

In a comparison of the Continental breeds (GSP, Weimaraner, Vizsla) there are several nuances I could address. As I have said before it bothers me that many judge these breeds generically as simply changes in coat color as if changing their suits but if there was one specific thing that bothers me it would be the eye shape and color. The eye shape is almond shape and the color dark brown. Too many GSPs are showing up in the ring and winning with a round eye and lighter brown eyes. The entire expression changes as it does in so many breeds when eye shape and color are ignored or forgiven. That's not to say that a lighter eye in a puppy can be understood and that if a darker outside ring on the eye is present that these puppies may in time develop a darker brown eye but always remembering you are judging on the day not on what may or may not develop.

 

Pat Cunningham

Brainerd, MN

I come from OES and feel that the main characteristics are generally found by most judges.  That being said the issue is the failure to reward the dogs with the characteristics that are less frequently found in the breed these days like strong under jaw, forechest, and correct bone.

 

 

Edy Dykstra-Blum

Ocala, FL

In my breed Old English Sheepdogs, TOPLINE is often overlooked.

 

Margaret P. Kotin

Avon, CT

American Cocker Spaniel "Above all, he must be free and merry, sound, well balanced throughout and in action show a keen inclination to work."

Dogs that slouch around the ring, dogs with their tail down, dogs that look apprehensively around and outside the ring, dogs that look nervous or harried, dogs that are not "free and merry" are not cocker spaniels.

 

Susan Kwiatkowski

Lebanon, NJ

Judges overlook sickle hocks and put dogs up over dogs with correct hocks.

 

Denise Cronin-Kerby

Setauket, NY

Wheaten Terrier:  Adequate flow of coat!

 

Nancy Russell

Walsenburg, CO

The Alaskan Malamute standard calls for Snow Shoe Feet.  At the time this standard was written Snow Shoes were a rounded off rectangular shape which means the Malamute foot is not round but longer than wide and large.  The larger the better as it keeps the dog on top of the snow.  A small round foot would punch down into the snow which would impede the dog's pulling ability as well as his stamina.

 

Sandy Harris

Basking Ridge, NJ

In my own breed, the standard calls for a body that is slightly longer than tall. The standard also states that it should be well let down in hock. Instead, the dogs being shown and placed are taller than long, with the metatarsal bones way too long. I can't blame the judges for overlooking important breed characteristics in breed judging. They are only able to judge what is presented to them. I have to blame the breeders for ignoring the standard. However, when it comes to Group judging, the judges must be held responsible

for awarding placements to dogs that are so far from the standard that they look like a different breed. Unfortunately, this is rampant in a few breeds. The standard says "level back"  and describes in detail coming and going. Yet the judges are consistently awarding Group placements to dogs with severely sloping toplines and over-angulated rears, who wobble when standing on the weakened hindlegs, wobble when going away, and paddle when coming in, then the problem is with the judges. I questioned a judge while watching this happen and was told, "This breed is judged differently, and the only thing that matters is exaggerated side movement." In those cases, the judges are the problem. Until breeders begin to breed to their standards rather than to the current "trend" (or worse), judges will only be able to judge what is presented to them. However, the judges become the problem when they place incorrect animals in Groups (and even Best in Show).

 

Gay Kuehnel-Hisatake

Trenton, NJ

This is a tough question for my breed, Alaskan Malamutes. We are not a cookie cutter breed and have a variety of styles, making it difficult, at times, for some judges to find the most correct dog in the ring. The word moderate seems to be forgotten, and bigger is better often takes precedence. Our ideal calls for a 25 inch 85 pound male and a 23 inch 75 pound female. We want a strong, athletic, but moderate dog, who can go the distance in extreme conditions. With regard to the head; the muzzle is large and bulky, but please remember that "stop" is not mentioned in our standard, which states, "the topline of the skull and the topline of the muzzle show a slight break downward." I encourage anyone who is new to our breed to review and study our standard.

 

Beverly Vics

High Point, NC

Regarding which breed characteristics judges overlook in my breed. My breed has been Akitas since 1972. The breed has almost lost it's most treasured characteristic of the small.... thick, rounded tip.... FORWARD TILTING ears. To many winners these days have pointed, thin, large, straight up ears. Just because a handler faces the dog's muzzle downward, causing the ears to APPEAR tilting forward, is NOT correct. The ears should tilt forward (on lateral/profile view) when the muzzle/skull are facing straight forward parallel to the ground/floor. This is the breed's most treasured and unique characteristic. I wish judges would stop rewarding incorrect ears, especially in the groups! Another pet peeve... eyes that angle downward... Eye rims should be somewhat triangular in shape. A line from inner corner to outer corner of the eye, to the base of CORRECT ear placement should be level to slightly upward. Not downward. If the line is tilting downward then both the eye AND earset are incorrect. Third... Standard clearly states "strides of moderate length". This does NOT mean a dog flying around the ring like a german shepherd or rottweiler. Shorter powerful, balanced strides are correct. This is a powerful dog that is built for rough terrain. Correct leg length to body depth proportions are essential, with strong moderate stride lengths.

 

Pat Wolkin

Mountainside, NJ

Flatcoated retriever

Tail set. Judges see so many bad tails I don't think they notice them anymore.

 

Bobbie Wood

Cranford, NJ

The breed characteristic that I see overlooked more than I would like to is tail carriage.  Our standard states only one fault and that is low carriage of stern in motion.  When the dog starts to move, the tail should flip up over the back and fall to one side or the other. As breeders we work so hard to make sure our pups are well socialized and confident when we show them so they carry their tails happily over their backs.  I don’t think any of us expect to win when our dog is unhappy and fearful with their tails down.  To add to it, the tail not in the correct position distorts the whole silhouette of the breed picture that is so beautifully balanced to the eye.

 

Marlene Keene

Elk Grove, CA 

I’ve noticed in the 50 years of conformation showing my Rottweilers that judges tend to overlook my breed’s bite examination and dentition count. Some of this I have attributed to the apprehensiveness in their approach. They are fearful!

Sue Bauman

Allentown, PA

Judges need to use the wicket properly and ensure the handler is not improperly stacking the dog. The AKC needs to have refresher training for the judges as several judges, when asked to wicket a dog, stated it had been awhile since they had measured a dog.

 

Kathy Lorentzen

Chesaning, MI

English Springer Spaniel

The country of origin breed standard states in the opening paragraph ’The English Springer Spaniel is the highest on leg and raciest in build of all British land Spaniels.’

This is a breed defining statement. The English Springer Spaniel has more leg length and less bone and body for its size than any of the other British land Spaniels. The breed was created in England to hunt birds and hare over rough terrain. They had to be built to ‘go and keep going’ day after day. Any tendency toward heaviness, cloddiness, big round bone, big round rib, is distinctly incorrect. The AKC standard describes a breed that is active, agile and athletic, capable of great endurance. OVAL shaped ribs, not round. Bladed bone, not ROUND. Strong but never cumbersome. Always up on leg, never low, squatty or long. Racy in this instance does not mean fine or weedy. It means ‘fit to race’, in other words built to run, jump, leap and spring OVER cover.

Please be mindful of this when judging the breed.

Kate McMillan

Delisle SK, Canada

Apart from the essential quality that a miniature schnauzer be "robust", (meaning it is a heavier dog, inch for inch than its working cousins) the topline is to have a slight slope from withers to tail.

Not level and never higher at the hip! Far too many dogs in our breed  "run downhill" on the  move and it should be considered a serious fault.

 

Linda Tilka

Madeira Beach, FL

Ewe necks. It seems some judges don't understand what a ewe neck is. This is a serious fault in our breed. Totally throws the whole front end off, and appears the neck comes out between the shoulders.

 

Dyane Baldwin 

Newport, PA

The most important individual breed characteristic for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is its coat. This is of upmost importance to its work and correct breed type. The past 2 years I have seen too many judges do a perfunctory assessment of coats. Look at it once and then judge ignoring it. Dogs are awarded without much coat and/or out of coat !  Coats should be compared in last looks in classes or in Best of Breed competition. It is not just the waving as there MUST be undercoat. The outer coat has a somewhat harsh oily feel to it. No, the dogs should not smell - that is a dirty coat.  If the coat is pressed aside, you should see undercoat (often lighter in color). Density of undercoat is as important as the outer coat. You should not easily see down to the skin. Sometimes the outer coat is very waved but the undercoat is lacking or the outer coat is very soft-sometimes both !  These coats are not correct and should be not rewarded.

The waving styles can vary from a shorter dense tight wave with a springy feel; to an old marcel wave look; to thick heavy waves. These waving styles are all correct and not one style is preferred over another. The waving can extend down the tail (best coats do); on the sides and front of the neck and midway down the side-all with under coat. Some undercoat should be present in the areas too that may not have waving. A truly outstanding coat almost looks like a sheep's pelt-not very common but should be well appreciated when it is present.  What would be a pleasure it would be to see judges go back and compare coats rather than say another time around the ring.

Lynda Lamensdorf

Memphis, TN

FRONTS! Not just my breed either! I had this discussion with Dennis Sprung in 1991! In my breed a well put together front does NOT have to reach into the next county to move correctly. Steep shoulders are a curse. Well you DID ask.

 

Alicia Moore

Chesapeake Beach, MD

The judges do not care about movement in my breed.  Collies.  They place way too much on the head.  They are a herding breed!

 

Carol Horner

Bluffton, SC

I believe it’s the EXUBERANCE of the Irish Setter. I am a show breeder and I think the personality of my Irish has always been a trait I look for when deciding which puppies will be going on to the show ring.

This is especially important for new owner-handlers who can be nervous or subdued when they first start showing. I remind not to be overly concerned about their puppy if he falls into a blurry red ball when the judge does the individual inspection. Smile and enjoy the beautiful show puppy who is having the time of its life!

Let the puppy say “Look at me!”  and the judge often does. And when the tail wags the puppy, that’s exactly what I want!  EXUBERANCE!!!

 

Inge Semenschin

Richmond, CA

In Poodles I find judges miss square, tail is straight, we are losing heads, a good head is not snippy.   

 

Jim Tomsic

Pueblo, CO

Simple answer for Pugs:  Movement

For too many years, people have been told that the pug is a head breed.  The Pug Dog Club of America Judge’s Education even tells prospective judges and exhibitors that the pug is a head breed.  It is time to get beyond that.  The pug should not be solely defined as a head breed.  Certainly, a nice head is important, but there is hardly a pug being shown today whose head is not acceptable.  Some have dark wrinkles, some have light wrinkles, some have deep wrinkles, some have hardly any wrinkles at all, etc.  Yet, almost all are acceptable.

Movement, while often overlooked, is much more critical than head.  As pugs get more involved in performance events, it becomes even more obvious how important good movement is.  Fronts should stay within the width of the shoulders, and converge slightly as speed increases, not diverge (get wider) or flare out with each step.  Rears should follow, although to a lesser degree.  Going away, there will normally be a slight sway to the rear, commonly known as the “Pug Roll.”  From the side, the pug front should exhibit a good reach, not a short, choppy shuffle.  Likewise with the rear.  It should be strong with a broad range of travel, resulting in a good reach and strong drive, moving the body forward.  It too should not be a short, choppy shuffle.  A great example of pug movement is on the old AKC Pug video.  While no longer available, it can be viewed at: https://bitogoldpugs.com/AKCVideo.htm.

The only time a head should weigh in is during the final placement, when all other factors are equal.

 

Jeanne Nonhof

Plymouth, WI

“More bone than would be expected in a dog of this size.”  Hello, that is what the Written Standard for the Samoyed says very clearly.  Sammies are not the more lightly built speedy Siberian Husky nor the strong sturdy Alaskan Malemute or, God forbid, a white wolf.  Substance is required.

As long as I am ranting, I would point out the Standard says the Samoyed smile is very important. It is a big part of type. The Samoyed is the handyman of the North, able to do many different jobs.

 

Denise Borton

Kalamazoo, MI

The head of the Bullmastiff is the hallmark of the breed and the majority of the language in the standard is dedicated to describing it. Square skull with a square muzzle (which is approximately one third the length of the entire head).  A deviation of this breed specific characteristic could identify with other molossor breeds, thus the importance of recognizing proper and correct head type.  Particular attention should be given to the muzzle which should not be snipey, too long/short, down-faced, shallow or wedge-shaped. 

 

Barbara Burns

Freeport, IL

Gordon Setter:  This breed is supposed to be square, substantial and is not built like the other setters.  The front is suppose to have a "lift and reach" (not hackney) because of the heavy vegetation in Scotland.  By "substantial" I mean good bone, to absorb the rugged terrain in Scotland.  The rear has a structure different from the other setters.  We try and emphasis not picking a Black and Tan Irish Setter.  It seems to be a big problem with many judges.  We don't want Gordon Setters to fly around the ring like the Irish.  They should move slower and more methodical at a nice easy speed.

 

Isabelle Majerus

Akron, OH

#1: What was the main job this breed was bred to do?

      Can they still do it? Is the gait smooth and effortless for the dog to complete the intended work?

#2: Is there a distinct difference between a dog and a bitch?

      Are the dogs within their standard height? Especially if the standards do specify a range difference between both sexes?

#3 Is the coat or the overall structure and athleticism the most important aspect?

 

Jeanette Lowry

Falls Church, VA

Judges who truly know about the importance of Welsh Springer structure always examine the shoulders, forechest and muscular development of the front end to enable them to work in the field for long days.  Without these qualities, they will tire more quickly.  Very, very few judges bother and/or have the knowledge to really look for and evaluate this. If we’re not careful, that structural necessity will disappear.