For many years the Scandinavian countries have had in place a well thought-

out and effective education programme for their judges, the results of which speak

for themselves. Whilst the Kennel Club in the UK has in recent years dramatically

improved its judges’ education, largely through the now defunct Judges’

Development Programme which had its critics as it was only available to judges who

were already approved for a group; it never embraced the principle of student

judges, yet in my opinion this is one of the strengths of the Scandinavian learning

curve.

Before applying to be a student judge, enthusiasts will have already

completed the basic stages of the formal education programme yet some judges do

not welcome the prospect of a student judge. Some say it interrupts their

concentration whilst others honestly admit that it is just an inconvenience. Personally

I take a slightly different viewpoint. Rather than interrupting the concentration I

actually feel it makes a judge concentrate and focus more, as you are constantly

aware of the need to explain all the nuances of breed type to the student and it is

obviously paramount to only make decisions which can be easily and logically

explained to the student.

I will never accept a student judge unless I know I have plenty of time to do

the job properly. I like around fifteen minutes before we start judging the breed to

discuss it in detail with the student, find out how much they understand its essence,

and ascertain what they consider are the “must haves” as regards points that

contribute to breed type, and what failings may be forgiven in context. I also take the

opportunity to discuss what Mrs Clark would have described as the present day

“drags” of the breed.

Long ago I had a student for Newfoundlands in Norway and, as an example, I

pointed out that in my opinion these “drags” include untypical heads caused by

narrow skulls, large loose eyes, too much drop of lip and too much stop (often

exaggerated by the annoying fashion of back-combing the hair on the skull and

pushing it forward to create a hideous Mohican/cockatoo kind of appearance).

Furthermore many Newfoundlands today are slab-sided with over-angulated rears

and often incorrect open coats. All of these points detract from typical and, as an

aside, when discussing Newfoundlands with students I always mention being told in

my formative years how similar the classic Newfoundland head is to a bear.

Once we have discussed the breed in detail, we continue with the judging.

Personally I always ask the student to join me in the centre of the ring when the

class assembles. I suggest they look down the line and see if anything in particular

takes their eye. We then send the dogs around the ring twice and I ask if any dogs

have surprised – or disappointed – when gaiting. We then commence the hands on

and the Scandinavian exhibitors are extremely tolerant and understanding when their

dog is used to illustrate either an outstanding virtue or a very obvious fault that can

be pointed out to the student. For example, when judging these Newfoundlands it

was useful to be able to have a few dogs that had perfect scissor bites apart from the

fact that they had two slightly dropped central lower incisors. This to me does not

make “a bad mouth” as some judges see it, but untidy dentition. After I have

completed my hands-on, the student can handle the dog whilst I dictate my written

critique to the ring secretary. We then watch the dog move together and the student

writes down his quality grading on the requisite form whilst I give my grading to the

secretary. This is done with no conferring as at the end of the breed judging I will

compare the student’s gradings with my own, write a brief assessment and make the

appropriate recommendation.

At the show in question the student judge for Newfoundlands passed with

flying colours and we were so fortunate that in the very first class appeared the dog

who was to eventually take the breed. Even at 13 months he was such an excellent

example of correct type to use as a benchmark and was for me an easy winner over

the more flash-and-dash Champions who “flew” around the ring that I suspect are

used to winning on a regular basis.

It often astounds me when talking to judges who come from countries where

there is no rigorous training how lacking their knowledge can be when it comes to

essential breed points, and I’m not talking about exotic rare breeds. I once had a

discussion with a charming lady who announced that she didn’t like the Lhasa Apso

in the group because its head wasn’t big enough. The Lhasa in question had an

exquisite headpiece and had won well under me in the past, so this led into an in-

depth conversation about Lhasa head type for which my friend was duly grateful.

At another show I had judged Cavalier King Charles Spaniels on the first day

and was surprised to find several dogs in the Champion class that were essentially

black with white and tan points (they were supposed to be tricolour) and terrier tail

carriages. They did not of course receive an Excellent grading from me, no matter

how good they were in other areas, yet the following day I was disappointed to see

one of these dogs appearing in the group. I casually mentioned to the gentleman

who had judged Cavaliers that day that he was obviously more forgiving of markings

than I was in the breed and he clearly had no idea what I was talking about. I did

however notice him later discretely pulling up the Breed Standard for the Cavalier on

his iPad and I imagine a lesson had been learnt.

In another groupside conversation I was a little taken aback when a lady

judge I have known for years admitted to be being surprised when she had recently

been told that Afghan Hounds should have big feet … I can only wonder what kind of

feet she had been rewarding when she had judged the breed previously!

As we see more and more judges progressing relatively quickly, it is obvious

that basic breed education is not always what it should be. Before anyone embarks

on judging a breed (the most important assignment in the show as it is in the breed

ring that the most damage can be done; the group and BIS rings are of far less

significance when it comes to THE BREED), they MUST have a thorough

understanding of Breed Type which is dictated by size, proportion, construction,

head, expression, coat, gait and character. This involves detailed study as so much

is all about subtlety and nuance. In so many breeds something as apparently trivial

(to some people) as eye shape and placement can be vital in creating the correct

and typical expression. But beyond studying Breed Standards, it is also important to

read as much as possible and talk to as many of the older breeders as are available

about the original purpose and function of the breed. Only then will a judge be able

to appreciate why certain aspects of the Breed Standard are required to be as

described.

As judges we all love to see beautifully presented and schooled dogs that

have that indefinable charisma which will always draw the eye, however if they do

not possess the fundamentals of Breed Type they are unlikely to ever contribute

anything to their breed, and sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the reason

why dog shows first began. A rigorous education programme for judges is one of the

best ways to ensure that our breeds maintain integrity of breed type and do not

merely become another fashion victim.

© ANDREW H. BRACE

(This article may not be reproduced in any form without the author’s

permission)