AndrewHBrace
The Need for Self Confidence in the
Judging Ring
Some years ago, when I was quite young, I remember being privy to a
conversation that took place at a dog show where two quite elderly all-rounder
judges who had been kind enough to take me under their wing were explaining what
qualities were essential in an effective dog judge.
One comment that I never forgot – probably because at the time it puzzled me
to an extent – was “the dividing line between self-confidence and arrogance is as
thin as a piece of cotton”.
This observation had been made as the direction the conversation had taken
had brought the two sages to a point where they were discussing judges who prefer
to simply play follow-my-leader rather than actually JUDGING the dogs in front of
them without the advantage (or disadvantage, depending on one’s viewpoint) of
knowing what individual dogs have won, how they were bred, owned and such like.
They made the point that occasionally dogs do crop up in breeds that are very much
ahead of the majority with whom they compete at breed level and often such dogs,
with sensible campaigning, rack up mighty records of which they are entirely worthy.
However, it was stressed that all too often such dogs have only to walk into the ring
for them to be handed the Breed ribbon, regardless of their condition or performance
on the day, and regardless of the competition. Many big-winning dogs, although their
wins have been entirely deserved, do on occasion win automatically to reinforce their
record, when one of the “sheep” is judging.
I have written many articles in the past on the subject of the necessity to judge
dogs “cold”, without giving any consideration to previous form or any of the other
extraneous garbage that can cloud a judge’s mind if they let it. To many judges,
rubber-stamping a top winner is a safe option. In so doing they rock no boats and
join the band of the dog’s previous admirers. If the dog has been JUDGED and
found to be up to the mark, then the win is deserved. If it is not however, because
there is superior competition waiting in the wings to be discovered, then the
unremarkable judge has abandoned his obligation to the breed.
That said, it must be emphasised that adopting the role of giant killer and
going out of your way to demote the reigning superstar in a misguided attempt to
prove “honesty” is nothing short of foolhardy and morally wrong. Denying any dog an
award it deserves is more of a crime than making a dog win an award it doesn’t.
Some people fail to see the difference but it is there, albeit subtle. Judges often
subconsciously like to do something different, to find something new and thus avoid
the “well that was predictable” moans ringside, but discovering for discovering’s sake
when the requisite level of merit is not present to topple the opposition is highly
irresponsible.
So in my formative years I was well aware that it was necessary to judge
every dog as if it were a stranger, ignoring any information I may well have about it,
and as a result I have frequently added to the wins of great ones, but at the same
time not been afraid to raise eyebrows by finding something way down in the classes
and taking it all the way through when it simply was the “Best of Breed”.
However the need for self confidence is perhaps even greater in another
context, if we closely examine the responsibility of judges and assume that they are
not in the centre of the ring to merely hand out ribbons.
It is a fact of life that, whether we like it or not, breeds change. Not all breeds,
but most breeds with the passage of time undergo subtle (and sometimes not so
subtle) changes for a variety of reasons. Sadly few of these changes are function-
related improvements; the majority come about as a result of fads and fashions are
often fall into the category of unnecessary exaggeration.
Whether it is down to the success of a particular dog or an influential handler,
nothing inspires exhibitors more than success, such is their desire to win. It is said
that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but unjustified imitation can also be
damaging when it becomes widespread.
Anne Rogers Clark coined a wonderful expression when she first started
talking about the “drag” of a breed, referring to a fault that has become so
widespread in a breed that it is almost endemic. Annie felt that judges should be
aware of any such faults and, when they judged, penalise them heavily. At the same
time she felt that dogs who excelled in the “drag” area should be looked upon
especially favourably, all things being equal.
One fault may well be considered a drag on a breed, but when several gain a
foothold a breed will see a complete shift in type as the breed takes on a new look.
This can be related to overall balance, to head shape, to expression or coat texture
and here we come to the need for self confidence when a judge faces a breed where
the majority of the entry have drifted away from typical.
The great judges of whatever generation had crystal-clear mental pictures of
breed type and what elements contributed to achieving it. They understood which
faults could be tolerated and which should be dealt with harshly for fear of the
consequences. Such judges invariably had stockman outlooks and both knowledge
of and success in breeding over a period of time. They could deal with the dogs
brought to them cold and would deal with each individual in direct relation to its
breed standard.
Sadly there isn’t exactly a surfeit of iconic judges around these days; they
have been in many cases replaced by those who fall into the “I know what I like”
category and whose idea of breed type is very much dictated by the majority of dogs
that are around at the time, and this is where we get into dangerous waters.
When faced with a class of 20 dogs, 19 of one shape and “type”, and just one
that looks different, the majority of judges will assume that the odd man out is wrong,
when in truth it could well be that this is the one dog that remains faithful to the breed
standard and it is the others, in numbers, that have drifted away from it. When faced
with this kind of situation it requires not just knowledge but great self-confidence to
put the “different” dog at the head of the line. I was put in that position not that long
ago, judging in a country, far from home, a breed which I have been around for close
to fifty years. It saddened me to see so many dogs that had completely untypical
heads, short legs and incorrect coats that were hideously barbered, yet in amongst
this jungle of mediocrity was one shining star, free of all these “drags”, and so the
words of my wise old mentors resounded in my brain as I made the decision to give
the odd man out not just the breed but the group. Sadly in a circuit of twelve shows
he won the breed on just one more occasion, being beaten in some instances by
dogs that had not be graded higher than Very Good under me.
Whenever we step into the ring to judge a breed we should be confident in our
own minds about breed type and all that it involves, and not just merely go with the
majority, because we could be doing the breed a great disservice and no self-
respecting judge would ever wish to be accused of that.
© ANDREW H. BRACE
(This article may not be reproduced in any form without the author’s
permission)
Welcome to my new website where I hope you will find lots to interest you, whether you are an exhibitor, breeder, judge or just a committed dog lover. Over the years I have had the opportunity to interview many of the icons of our sport and lots of their wisdom has been included in the Webinars. My involvement with purebred dogs has allowed me to travel the world, meet some amazing people and get my hands on countless outstanding dogs. I hope that this website will allow you to share some of the pleasure that dogs have given me.
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