AndrewHBrace
The Pros and Cons of “Hang-ups”
Some years ago I read one of Geir Flyckt-Pedersen’s as-always excellent
“Babbling” columns in America’s DOG NEWS and several of his comments
resonated with me. The first was the question of judges having “hang-ups” which
often trace back to a peal shared by one of the breed elders many years ago. I’m not
altogether sure whether “hang-up” is actually the best term to use, as often these
individual breed points could be considered “must-haves” in a particular breed and
possibly prioritised to a greater degree by the old timers than they may be today.
I was fortunate in having several mentors who influenced my thinking when I
began judging and some of their casual asides stuck in my memory bank for all time,
never to be erased. On one of my very first visits to the late Gwen Broadley’s
Sandylands Labrador Retriever kennel I remember Gwen emphasising the
importance of hindquarters in her breed, particularly the well-developed second
thigh. I remember her drumming into me how the second thigh was essential to the
overall look of a Labrador and how it would affect its movement and sense of power.
Whilst I have always tried to be an “overall picture” kind of judge, there is no way that
I can look at a Labrador without homing in on its hindquarters and evaluating its
second thigh. Any Labrador, no matter how excellent in other areas, that has a
stringy, underdone second thigh will, I have to admit, fail to hold my interest to any
great extent. It may be considered a component part, a detail if you like, but it also
contributes hugely to the overall impression that any Labrador conveys. Is this a
“hang-up”? I guess some people would say so, but it’s a hang-up I can live with.
Talking of Gwen, who was always generous in sharing her knowledge with
those she considered sufficiently interested, another of her unforgettable bon-mots
referred to the Schipperke breed which Gwen told me should always resemble a
cloaked highwayman on horseback. Maybe a little fanciful in its description and
imagery, but it conveyed a picture that has stayed with me ever since.
Even though I have never had any personal experience of horses, I have
several friends who have and their constant repetition of the phrase, “no foot, no
horse” is something that has always stuck with me as it can apply equally to dogs
and is one of the aspects of any dog that subconsciously affects the appeal of the
whole picture. A handsome, upstanding Boxer which has all the essentials of the
breed, yet has weak pasterns and long, flat fleet, just doesn’t cut the mustard. Is this
fault judging? Possibly … but the feet will contribute to any working breed’s efficiency
and stamina.
I suppose, in truth, when I think about the whole subject of judges’ “hang-ups”,
I tend to be more tolerant of their insistence on functional virtues than those which
may be considered cosmetic.
One of those embarrassing lessons that I will never forget goes back to my
judging Boston Terriers many years ago at an Open show in East Anglia, an area
that was something of a hotbed of the breed. I judged them as best I could, being
very mindful of the specific markings called for in the Breed Standard. I was very
impressed with one particular dog that was noticeably undermarked and this played
on my mind so much so that I placed it Second behind a dog that was perfectly
marked but inferior in another area. (Faced with the same two dogs today, the less
well marked specimen would have won in a heartbeat.) In those days it was common
for judges – after judging – to mingle at the benches and discuss the dogs with
exhibitors. I was aware that several of the Boston exhibitors that day were very
successful breeders of long standing so decided to venture into the lion’s den and
ask for their opinion. One lady for whom I always had great respect, when asked
“How did I do?” tactfully replied, “You did a very good job, but obviously you paid a
little too much attention to the Breed Standard.” That had me totally flummoxed …
how could anyone pay too much attention to the written blueprint by which we all
should be judging? I asked her to elaborate which she did by explaining that the
breed people did not prioritise perfect markings. Markings should be considered a
secondary behind type, quality, balance, conformation and movement. That
conversation shaped my judging of Boston Terriers for all time.
Another confession in this particular “Babbling” was that of Geir’s being
accused of being unduly hard on his friends when judging. Personally I have never
heard such an accusation and most of my friends share my opinion that Geir’s
knowledge and integrity were unquestionable. His premature death robbed the
global dog world of one of its greatest talents. In this crazy world I suppose defining
“friends” is itself a difficult task and the term can mean different things to different
people. Geir, like myself, knew a lot of people who showed dogs under him. I can’t
imagine that when he was in the centre of the ring anything occurred to him other
than the relative merits of the competing dogs and getting them in the right order.
The only thing you can be absolutely certain of, as Geir confirmed, is that …
whatever your winning order may be there will be some ringside sages only too
happy the explain to the world and its wife WHY that particular dog took the breed,
and the only thing that won’t figure in the explanation is the dog’s outstanding merit.
We have to remember that when you are a rank beginner everything seems to
be crystal clear. Your life in dogs is very much a “them” and “us” situation and
demarcation lines are totally apparent. However, if you then stick with the sport and
achieve a modicum of success the waters become somewhat muddied. With
achievement will come further opportunities – to become involved with clubs, and to
maybe begin judging your own breed. As your involvement deepens so do the
chances of your every waking move being misinterpreted increase.
Ever since I can remember one of the most frequently heard complaints at
dog shows is that of judges “putting up their friends”, and of course the complaint will
more often than not come from those who were standing down at the wrong end of
the line that day. I have had occasion to point out many times to those who are thus
complaining that when anyone first comes into the sport, they have no friends.
Logically they will gravitate towards people in the same breed who are showing the
same type of dog they are, possibly with similar breeding, and oftentimes friendships
will develop based on nothing more than the fact that they see the breed through
similar eyes and appreciate the same “type” – even though in those early days they
may not really fully understand what the word means. As time goes on they may use
each other’s stud dogs, exchange puppies or whatever, as their vision of the breed
continues to coincide. There will come a day when that first judging invitation arrives
… what to do? Should their friends show under them?
There seem to be so many different attitudes towards who should show what
to whom these days. I must say that I have found few people who believe that it is
perfectly in order for a dog to be shown under its breeder in the breed classes (as
was at one time permissible in the UK, provided the dog had been out of its
breeder’s ownership for a minimum period of twelve months). That scenario I always
felt was a question of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t”. Put up a dog that you
bred and you are demonstrating nepotism and crookery. Put down a dog that you
bred and you are publicly declaring a very low opinion of the stock you breed
yourself. It really was the road to nowhere. Strangely, in the UK it is still allowed to
judge a dog you bred if it comes through to you at group level, however I cannot
remember a case yet when this has actually happened as the usual course of action
has been, when the group judge is the breeder of a BOB winner, to perform what we
Brits love … “a lap of honour” … before retiring to tumultuous applause.
So as your career progresses, as exhibitor, breeder, show official, judge or
whatever so does your role change and the number of hats you wear increases.
There is now an overlap when you cease to be fish nor fowl.
The whole question of perception and propriety can get very cloudy in the dog
world and in my opinion far too many people get too hung up on what things look like
rather than what really matters. Yes, common sense should always play its part but
quite frankly I am more concerned with what happens in the ring as regards the
merits of the dogs competing than any relationships, real or imagined, between
judges and handlers.
I am always puzzled when I hear of close “friends” falling out forever because
they didn’t do as well as expected when one showed under the other. Surely
friendships develop gradually over a period of time based on, as I pointed out earlier,
seeing a breed through similar eyes. With friendship comes a level of genuine
affection but also respect; respect for opinions and respect for integrity. In over half a
century in the sport I have discovered that genuine friends who are worthy of the
name accept each other, warts and all. Their acceptance of their friends also reflects
the attitude they adopt when they come to judge dogs – they appreciate their virtues
yet see their failings in perspective, fully aware that no one is perfect.
Some of my friends have what are, to me, strange ideas about who should or
who should not show under them. Surely provided no rules are broken everyone is
free to take dogs under whoever they like. Many I know do not like “friends” showing
under them as they get embarrassed – preferring not to put them up, but not wanting
to put them down. Surely if embarrassing easily is your problem, then the centre of
the dog ring is not for you! It can be the loneliest place and requires the thickest of
skins. Judging dogs is not for the sensitive or faint hearted.
I have no problem with watching a specialist judge awarding most of the major
prizes to dogs that are sired by their stud dogs if - and it’s a very big IF – they are the
best and deserving of the awards. It stands to reason that if they own dominant stud
dogs they should produce the type that judge most admires. What riles me is
watching someone rewarding mediocre family relations whilst robbing superior dogs
that are not connected with their breeding. That clearly indicates one of two things –
ignorance or dishonesty.
Most of our judges regularly get to judge dogs that are shown by handlers
who are friends, acquaintances or possibly even past employees. Sometimes they
win, sometimes they lose, it all depends on the quality of the dog they happen to be
handling and the level of competition they meet. Judging dogs is not rocket science
… if you concentrate on what matters.
At judging seminars the attendees sometimes are visibly horrified when I
admit to them that nothing gives me greater pleasure than being able to put up a
friend when they have the best dog. That is not a crime. Putting up a friend when you
are robbing a superior dog in the process is. Ownership does not affect any dog’s
merits.
What matters above all else in the sport is that all dogs are judged on a level
playing field, evaluated without fear or favour, and the best dogs suitably rewarded.
Whatever dog wins you can be sure that the chuntering classes will be guaranteed to
find a reason why. It was ever thus and I daresay always will be.
Geir suggested the fact that we may all be a little paranoid, those of us who
become deeply involved with the dog world. I am sure that he is right, one way or
another, but maybe a little paranoia is no bad thing … provided it does not distract us
from what really matters, and that of course is the dogs.
© 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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