It's All About the Money!

Our purebred dog conformation events have been transformed. The first sentence in the AKC Mission Statement is, “The American Kennel Club is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function.”  I would suggest “...and breeding for type and function” needs reconsideration and updating.

Just about everyone will agree that conformation dog shows no longer highlight the best breeding stock to perpetuate the breeds. Clearly, many of today’s breed exhibits are not products of breeding for type and function. Rather they are the results of breeding for the accepted and often sought after exaggerations and extremes which produce dysfunctional show dogs. Such as bird dogs with keels similar to a prow of a sailing boat; spaniels with incredibly domed skulls; dogs with necks like a swan; galloping sighthounds with short legs and level toplines; or shepherds standing on nearly horizontal metatarsal bones, to name just a few.

The breed ring is commonly a crapshoot. The exception to this rule is if a professional handler is exhibiting then this may improve the odds of winning. Breed metamorphosis usually influences the unknown or uncertain aspect of dog show adjudication’ by incompetent or uninformed judges. In my article “What Are They Looking For?” I discussed the lack of knowledge and capability for some judges to explain ‘why they did what they did’ after they quickly point to a dog(s) in a class for a win.

There are numerous, interesting articles by respected adjudicators who recognize and discuss the transmutations taking place throughout the breeds. We talk about the arbitrary state of judging, and though everyone hears what we say, it seems no one is LISTENING because nowadays, to win, extremes and or generics are how you have to play the game. It is àpropos to quote AKC Judge and long-time breeder Katie Gammill here.

“The best of the best or one that looks like the rest? Let’s be honest. Something called “preferred type” is flooding the rings today and in many breeds, it has little to do with the Breed Standard. When “current type” does not equal correctness, the best dog can lose because in many rings, the fatal flaw is being a stand-out. Should we just BREED TO WIN or should we BREED TO THE STANDARD and expect judges to judge to the Standard?”

There is an abundance of ‘show breeders’ these days whose primary goal is to breed litter after litter after litter, often selling many or even all pups as show prospects in their maniacal obsession to achieve the most number of AKC champions produced for their breed. This itself has become its individual competition. Some may consider me to be very old-fashioned, or out-of-touch in my attitude towards conformation dog shows. The truth is I am only interested in conserving the original purpose of purebred dog show competition, breeding for and preserving type and function and protecting a breeds welfare. Sadly, it appears that an overwhelming anxiety stokes some breeders modus operandi, this being 'who will buy their puppies' and 'who will breed to their stud dog(s).' Setting aside any principles for the sake of a win.

Our sport has shifted gears. In the all-breed ring it is about marketing, positioning your dog to reach the highest pinnacles of achievements. It is about public relations and money. Money spent on advantageous grooming products, shampoos, conditioners, gels, hair spray, colored chalk, enhancing powders, Snoods and blow dryers. It is about money spent on training, shipping and freighting dogs off to handler’s kennels for extended periods. It is about money spent on airfare for handlers/owners/dogs, private planes, luxury dog haulers/vehicles, Professional Handler fees or exclusive contracts, and $$$ magazine advertisements.  

Breed ring competition now is a contest about who has the disposable income and or time to campaign their dog to accumulate Grand Champion achievement levels. Group level competition is about who has even more affluence and time to achieve Top-Ten group rankings. As one advances to the all-breed ranking system, it is an entirely different ballgame and parlay. It comes down to money and sometimes perseverance -- as to which of the financiers, breeders and owner(s) have the most fortune to finance their All-Breed Top-Ten quest and yes, career. It is all about the money and all about coming out on top.

This edited article was published in a previous version on the Canine Chronicle website. Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=9751

What Are They Looking For?

Have you recently heard this question ringside at a dog show? Perhaps even you have asked this a hundred times over. More often than not, it is posed rhetorically as a reflection or criticism of your observation. I am referencing the deliberations and decisions made by the AKC dog show judge. We all at one time or another have stood ringside and observed judges that have left us shaking our heads and muttering, “I must have missed something!” Even more frustrating is attending our breed specialties, and we are left altogether bewildered. Here, in particular, we ask, “What are they looking for?” The judges explanation is not forthcoming unless you attend a dinner where the judge says a few words about their selections, or you may read it later in the club’s publication.

At the all-breed level, we can surely solve this issue while improving upon the adjudication process. In recent times, there have been debates about adopting a few practices of the FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE (FCI). For instance, we now offer a Reserve Best in Show, and although I do not see a restructuring of the classes I believe we can and should adopt one other highly useful and logical method. We need to embrace the custom of judge’s grading and critiquing each dog entry. This is not just an enlightening tool for exhibitors, but a valuable tool for judges and AKC Field Representatives, as well. The latter I touch on further down. For those who are unfamiliar with FCI Regulations for Show Judges,

 “The candidate has to produce a consequent critique with the good and less good points of the outline and movement of the dogs and he must pay attention to the health and welfare of the dog.”

From there, the FCI qualifications given by the judges must correspond to the following definitions:

EXCELLENT may only be awarded to a dog which comes very close to the ideal standard of the breed, which is presented in excellent condition, displays a harmonious, well-balanced temperament, is of high class and has excellent posture. Its superior characteristics in respect of its breed permit that minor imperfections can be ignored; it must however have the typical features of its sex.
VERY GOOD may only be awarded to a dog that possesses the typical features of its breed, which has well-balanced proportions and is in correct condition. A few minor faults may be tolerated. This award can only be granted to a dog that shows class.
GOOD is to be awarded to a dog that possesses the main features of its breed. The good points should outweigh the faults so that the dog can be considered a good representative of its breed.
SUFFICIENT should be awarded to a dog which corresponds adequately to its breed, without possessing the generally accepted characteristics or whose physical condition leaves a lot to be desired.
DISQUALIFIED must be awarded to a dog which does not correspond to the type required by the breed standard; which shows a behaviour clearly not in line with its standard or which behaves aggressively; which has testicular abnormalities; which has a jaw anomaly; which shows a colour or coat structure that is not according to the breed standard or clearly shows signs of albinism. This qualification shall also be awarded to dogs that correspond so little to a single feature of the breed that their health is threatened. It should furthermore be awarded to dogs that show disqualifying faults in regard to the breed standard. The reason the dog was rated DISQUALIFIED has to be stated in the judge’s report.

Mandatory judging critiques have numerous advantages with the most obvious being that exhibitors receive an immediate explanation and grade. Moreover, the process can strengthen the overall quality of the judges pool. When a judge has to grade and explain ‘why they did what they did,’ it may accentuate incompetence. Frankly, most judges prefer not to look like a fool. Similarly, this process benefits both Judges and AKC Executive Field Representatives, as well. The critique is a written opinion and rating that serves as a tool to enforce an AKC Field Rep’s evaluation on a permit or regular status judge. Likewise, it can act as validation for a judge’s quality of selection when confronted and challenged by an AKC Field Representative, hopefully preventing an unfair, unfavorable evaluation.

Moreover, this elaborating and grading process may give some judges pause in accepting breed assignments that they may be both unqualified and uncertain in. If they are compelled to expand on the virtues or merits of a breed, they may hesitate to accept the assignment in the first place. This sure sounds better than the current system at all-breed shows where we have judges hastily, all in a cloak of secrecy, flick a finger or wave their hand at placements and awards, then rush to fill out their judging book. The satin ribbons and rosettes are handed out and finito!, the judge is on to the next breed...

This article was first published in a previous version on the Canine Chronicle website. Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=12388