Anyone who is a Facebook user and who visits large dog shows regularly

could be forgiven for thinking that the most important part of the show is the big ring

where Groups and Best In Show are judged. The way our shows have evolved, and

the change in exhibitors’ mentality, have encouraged that assumption. (You only

have to look the proliferation of bragging posts where Group and Best wins are being

highlighted; more often than not the judge of the breed seldom gets a mention.)

However we should always remember that variety competition – where different

breeds compete with each other – is an inexact form of judging. You cannot directly

compare a Chihuahua with a Great Dane; you evaluate the subject dog against its

own Breed Standard, see how it measures up and place accordingly. It is actually a

subtle variation on the points system that was long ago present in the Breed

Standards.

We all love the glamour and the razzamatazz of the big ring and have had to

get used to the loud music, spotlights and elaborate floral displays but at the end of

the day this is something of a circus.

What we should always remember is that the most important part of any dog

show is THE BREED RING as this is where dogs can be judged directly against their

competition. I believe that this is sometimes overlooked, especially when judging

panels are formulated as all too often, when looking at show schedules, one gets the

distinct impression that some breeds have just been “tagged on” to judges who have

no great interest in, or experience of, the breed concerned to pad out their day and

make the show more economically viable. Is sufficient thought given to the

appointment of judges for THE BREEDS as it is in the breed ring where breeds can

be moulded, and indeed changed, as a result of the breed judges’ decisions?

The late Raymond Oppenheimer was one of the few geniuses I have ever met

and befriended. He was passionate, no he was obsessive, about his beloved Bull

Terriers in which breed he was considered the Godfather. However, beyond his own

breed he possessed infinite wisdom and common sense, much of which has

thankfully been committed to print. Raymond once discussed with me a theory he

had about the progress of judges. On the surface it appears completely outlandish,

but when you analyse the thinking behind it there is much value in Raymond’s

reasoning.

He suggested that when anyone first expresses an interest in judging they

should be invited to judge Best In Show at an all-breeds show. In the Best In Show

ring there will hopefully be excellent examples of their breed in contention, some

better than others, and, whatever the judge’s decision, he can do no great harm.

Having fulfilled several Best In Show appointments satisfactorily then, Raymond

opined, the judge should be invited to officiate at Group level. When they have

acquitted themselves well in several Group rings, THEN, and only then, should that

judge be trusted with an appointment to judge THE BREED. Raymond expanded

that it is in the breed ring where judges can actually shine and demonstrate their

absolute knowledge or, conversely, do the most harm.

Impractical and outrageous as it may sound, there is a lot of merit in the

thinking behind it.

So, whether it be when judging panels are being formulated, or win ads being

composed, we should never forget that the foundation of our dog shows where

breeds can be helped or hindered is actually the breed ring - which may be in some

far-off corner of a showground and a very long way from the limelight.

© ANDREW H. BRACE

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permission)