JUDGING THE JUDGES

Conformation: the form & structure, make and shape; arrangement of the parts in conformance with breed standard demands.


Conformation Dog Show: a competitive exhibition of dogs at which the dogs are judged in accordance with an established standard of perfection for each breed.

In the 1880's the first dog shows were held in Canada, under the rules of the AKC (American Kennel Club).

In England, the Kennel Club (KC) held its first show in 1859. It was a social affair, held by the aristocrats as a fund-raiser for charities.

Before the Kennel Clubs came into existence, shows were a meeting place where owners gathered to show off their breeding stock, many times amid much chaos and recounting of stories in a bar or a hotel. The dogs were mostly hunting dogs, working terriers and spaniels.

A far cry from what we experience today!

There are about 245 working-group judges in Canada (these judges are licensed to judge the dogs who are in the working group) and 121 all-breed judges (these judges can judge all 7 groups; sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, and herding).

So why would we need to go out of country for judges and pay the extra dollars for their airfare and accommodations?

Simply because there seems to be a disrespect and contempt for a large number of the judges in Ontario. Some of their judging skills smell worse than a three-week old liver treat forgotten in a jacket pocket.

If a judge doesn't want to be in the ring judging-why accept the assignment and be miserable to both dog and handler?

If there are judges who aren't familiar enough with the standard of a breed they are judging then perhaps the CKC should be reviewing their licensing practices.

A mandatory re-testing every five years for judges of the breed standards might not be a bad idea either.

There are also politics played in the show ring where unfortunately, many times, the best dog does not win.

There are various reasons for this, whether it's simply judges preferring a handler on the other end of the leash, or not being familiar enough with the standard of the breed being judged.

Perhaps some judge needs new glasses and can't recognize a dog who should be excused for lameness, limping around the ring-and instead points to it as the winner.

Exhibitor's stories abound in all breeds.

There's a difference between judges putting up their personal, preferred type and judges just not knowing the breed standard of the dogs in front of them!

One lady was horrified, after paying her entry fee, only to be asked by the judge, "What do you call this colour of dane?"

She politely answered that it's referred to as a Harlequin (black torn patches on a white base coat).

The judge then went back to her copy of the Great Dane standard open at the table and looked it up.

Not acceptable!!

Had it been me, I hope I would have excused myself from the ring and filed a complaint against the judge.

Knowing all we know about ring politics, we still enter our dogs . . . under judges who hopefully haven't been influenced by the glossy win-pictures of dogs staring at them from every page in the dog magazines that are sent to them free of charge.

Breeders want to get those ten points that make up a CKC championship, whether their dog warrants it or not, so we enter. Some of us pick our judges--some enter a show in spite of the quality of the judge lineup.

Interestingly enough (and high time) a statement was made at an Ontario show recently when the only day a judge from Ontario was judging Great Danes, they had the lowest number of entries. The other three days, with Australian judges, the entries were above normal.

I don't believe the over-all lower entries at shows are due to the economic downturn or the price of gas . . . or the hike in entry fees.

I believe we're just tiring of paying dollars to get the opinion of those who don't know or don't care about our breeds. Some of our judges seem to just be going through the motions.

No matter, we go to shows, we socialize, we discuss, we congratulate, we share our passion for our dogs.

Imagine dog shows being more like stock shows--where breeders come together to consider and inspect one anothers stock objectively, without professional handlers, or ribbons or a Best In Show rosette. A place where breeders and interested parties gather to compare, discuss, learn and share.

I'M NO JUDGE BUT . . . .

I ordered Pet Planet channel on Tuesday for one reason--to watch the four hour coverage of the 134th Westminster Kennel Club dog show. It was an extra three dollars for the month--a small price to pay to watch the best of the best, the 'champions-only' dog show.

Tuesday's coverage included the sporting, terrier and working groups--the working group being the draw for me.

Here's the link:

http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2010/video/breed/index2.html

These breeds were bred for the most part as the muscle of the dog world--the group of dogs who use their brains or brawn to serve man, either for herding, protection or rescue, engaging in some sort of physical activity to serve the hand that feeds and pats them.

There are twenty-six breeds in the AKC working group. From the handsome Akita, who was used for hunting bear and sled work, to the Pyrenean Mountain dog--the Great Pyrenees, used for guarding livestock--to my breed of choice, the Great Dane, who was (and still is in some places) used not only to hunt but also bring down wild boar and bear. As well they were used as estate guards.

Just as an Olympian's body is a well-toned, muscled, finely-tuned machine, the mind and body of a working dog should be the same.

This must be evident in everything from a balanced mental attitude to the structural balance necessary for the physical functions the breed was originally required to perform.

At this show, in the working breeds, there was an abundance of very healthy-appearing dogs, coats glistening (hope so after spending hours with the groomer), eyes bright, and all the dogs strangely thrilled to be in a arena crammed full of people (record attendance of 32,000+), under glaring bright lights, where the temperature would have to have reached 75F degrees plus.

These dogs did what any dog worth its salt does best . . . please its owner or in many cases at shows, please the pro-handler, who it's been handed over to at ring-side,whether or not it's familiar with the handler. Most dogs knows their job in the ring and will perform with whoever is on the other end of the leash.

Perform . . . hmm, well, I guess that depends on what we're talking about. Conformation show performance is a vast ring away from function and ability.

In the ring, the dog gets to run in a straight line forward and return, then run around in a circle so a judge can evaluate/determine the quality of its movement (coming and going) and gait/fluidity of movement, top line, etc. (going around).

I'm no judge although I do enjoy studying movement on any dog, whether it's a mixed breed loping along the waterfront or a dog performing in the show ring.

One structural issue kept catching my attention in almost every breed I watched.

Toeing in.

We would refer to the same problem in humans as being pigeon-toed and steps would be taken to correct this.

Samoyeds, rotties, boxers, danes; no breed seems exempt from this structural flaw.

How have these dogs managed to win BIS's and more than their fair share of group placements around the country?? What the heck is going on???

The AKC Great Dane standard dictates "neither toeing in, toeing out, nor rolling to the inside or outside."

Do judges not notice there are more dogs toeing-in than not? I have mentioned this problem to a few breeders and judges and am met with, "Well, yes but the dog's side movement is wonderful!"

Alright, so if we are averting our eyes from the designated pattern of the coming and going in the show ring and putting more weight on the side gait (some folks believe side gait should make up 70% of the movement evaluation), why do we even put them through the coming and going?

It's surely there for a reason. I understood it's to assess front and rear action. The dog's movement, is it clean? Does the dog move too close behind? Is it hocky? Does it single-track? Is the dog paddling? Crabbing? Is it elbowing out? Winging? Does the dog TOE-IN or out?

Perhaps so many dogs exhibit this fault that judges have decided to turn a blind eye to focus on the dog's positive attributes instead, since no dog is without faults.

I guess it all depends on what faults are more acceptable and which are viewed as lesser in the eye of the beholder.

Maybe somewhere down the road we'll be bringing the dogs into the ring and they can be judged soley on the best stack!

But come on--these are working breeds!

Movement is a measure of a dog's conformation.

Conformation is the reflection of the function of a breed.

Change a dog's movement and you change a dog's conformation.

I just didn't realize how wide-spread the problem of toeing-in has become across the board. It's a pity.

CAMELS and GOATS and LLAMAS--OH MY!

Since 2008, we in Ontario have celebrated 'Family Day', a provincial holiday, the third Monday in February. Communities across the province celebrate in different ways.

I couldn't help notice the street bustling with activity so early on a holiday morning as we headed down to the beach for our early morning exercise.

The restaurants full of families enjoying some time together, the stores open, bringing in much-needed revenue in one of the deadest months for any community that draws a great portion of its dollars from the summer-months tourist trade -good plan!

On the beach there are so many people wandering along the boardwalk it could be a day in July save for the cold wind and thin cover of snow still holding on.

Where all these owners and their dogs are other days remains a mystery to me but they're out in force today, taking advantage of the off-leash privileges we enjoy.

After meeting and greeting and playing with a select few, we head home via Kew Beach Park for some well-deserved breakfast.

Journey is leashed up but instead of heeling at my side, she's pulling me forward, her nose high in the air-scenting something....I check around for any raccoons who might be getting home later than they should be. Nope.

Perhaps an in-tact male has been here before us and left a pee-mail scent she's sussing out. Nope.

There's an excited urgency in her movement now as she drags me along behind her. As we round the corner I understand.

There, at the top of the park, are two camels. There's a whole petting zoo as part of the Family Day celebrations.

Forgiving Journey my throbbing shoulder, we move toward the area. Journey is now beside herself with wonder. I guess she always thought she was the biggest animal in this park!

Dogs always greet the scent of an unknown species with joy and bafflement. I can almost hear the wheels going round in Journey's brain as she tries to categorize these creatures. Her predator instinct kicks in and she realizes this is prey....somewhat daunting in stature though!

I love to see any dog connect with its inner-hunter-function and instinct in balance! Unfortunately there are far too few people who will ever experience this magic with their dogs.

Journey has now pulled herself up to taller than her full height, jowls puffing, nose quivering, shaking with excitement as we draw nearer.

I'm not a fan of petting zoos. There's no joy at all for me in watching these magnificent creatures in a pen smaller than I'd ever consider keeping anything larger than a guinea pig in. There are people three-deep around every pen, kids prodding the animals and poking them with whatever is handy.

My heart cries silently as I watch a kid with her father sitting on one of the camels. She is complaining because her ice cream has fallen off the cone and is slowly dribbling down the camel's coat.

Journey's nose is poking through the fence gathering information on these monsters who've invaded her park.

We visit the alpacas-with their dark brown liquid pools for eyes.

We stay a safe distance from the llamas, who are known chargers. They make it clear they are not intimidated in the least by Journey's inquisitiveness and will take care of her if she crosses the line!

The goats were for the most part friendly enough with her, although when the female started to paw the ground and lower her head, I realized I'd best move Journey back a safe distance.

An announcement came over a loud speaker letting us know the doggy dress-up contest was starting at the gazebo in the center of the park.

We opted out of that and left the crowds, heading home.

Journey was exhausted when we got home. After filling her belly, she curled up wearily. Her whimperings and movements as she lay sleeping told me she was free now to give chase to those camels and goats and llamas---oh my!

A SOUR TURN

We had some friends come visit from out-of-town today, accompanied by their sweet, if not overly self-conscious and insecure Great Dane.

Although a bit colder and windier than what's comfortable, there was sunshine! We bundled up and headed out to the beach for some off-leash time.

As we neared Kew Beach Skating Rink, it was evident from the cacaphony of sounds there were families out on the ice, enjoying the day.

It was as we rounded the boards that my day took a sour turn.

There, tied to the fencing, sitting on the frozen snow was a chocolate lab, shivering and staring in at the rink. Behind the dog was what appeared to be a set of ice skates.

I believe most dogs-except perhaps the seniors and infirm, benefit from exercise in our winter climate...if the dog is moving. If on the other paw, the dog is tied up, can't move more than one foot in any direction and its body starts to shiver-that's not good....or acceptable.

I really tried to ignore the situation and move along with my company toward the beach but ended up doubling back. My dog and I approached the shivering dog and I knew before I gave it a pat on the head what my responsibility was.

I approached the entrance of the rink and questioned in a loud voice, "who does this dog belong to?"

A male came skating over, followed by a female and told me he owned the dog.

I told him the dog was shivering and perhaps it needed to get inside and warm up.

The owner got a bit prickly at this point and told me to 'take your self-righteous attitude elsewhere.'

I could feel my blood-pressure warming up my body and had to ask him why oh why would he not take the dog for a walk, take it home then go skating??

He and his female partner then became verbally abusive. The dog still sat shivering.

When I caught up to my company (and their dog patiently waiting to get to the off-leash area) I offered my apologies for what they had to wait through.

For the record---dog walking is a separate activity from....grocery-shopping, stopping into a restaurant for a beverage and brunch, going into the local bar for a few.

For the past 7 or 8 years, I've been walking the same route with my dogs. This isn't the first time I've come across similiar sights. In the cold of winter or the heat of the summer pavement.

Last year, I contacted Parks & Rec and requested they consider making a by-law disallowing tying up dogs while enjoying a vigorous, body-warming workout on the ice.

There's no signage on or around the rink, so I assume my suggestion/request fell on deaf ears.

Too bad for the dogs.

SO-- WHAT'S IT ALL MEAN?

Now that hip x-rays are done, I have a choice.

I can keep the information to myself and share with those I choose…

OR

I can send them (for a fee) to OFA-Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (America)…

OR

I can send them (for a fee) to OVC-Ontario Veterinary College. (Canada)

Keep in mind veterinarians are not radiologists. They can only offer their opinion as to whether or not the hips will pass or fail.

I had one of my girls, CH. Sandalwood What a Scandal TT x-rayed and the vet I used at the time told me he wouldn't suggest breeding her...her hips wouldn't pass, so not to bother sending in the x-rays. I sent them in anyway and they passed!

OFA is the most widely accepted data -bank for hip evaluation/certification, along with many other tests from thyroid testing to DNA.

Three radiologists, independent of each other, will evaluate and grade the dog's x-rays: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, with the last rating subdivided to denote the severity of Dysplasia---Mild, Moderate or Severe.

I don't understand why there isn't a 'very good' rating in there, as I'm sure there could be a vast difference between 'excellent' and 'good'). When I refer to something as excellent, I mean it's fabulous-great, positively the top. Good on the other paw denotes acceptable.

Good in any survey I've ever seen is always two steps below the excellent rating. Are the dog's hips at the top-end of good--bordering excellent or at the bottom-end, bordering on a fair?

For years, there have been nasty rumours circulating-involving the time of month one sends the x-rays in....if one gets them in between the 1st and 6th of the month (days may vary depending on who you're talking to) they will get a pass-if sent later and OFA has reached their 'passing' quota for the month, you're out of luck.

But don't despair... apparently people have been known to re-submit previously failed x-rays only to get a pass the second time round.

There are also rumours of people downloading a hip clearance certificate ( the same way one can for vaccinations) from the internet, print it out, white-out the dog's personal data, insert their own dog's data, et voila-their dog has a hip clearance of 'excellent'! Of course in this case, there would be no such dog listed on the OFA site but one would, I assume, produce said fake certificate to show to prospective puppy owners.

Once you've submitted your x-rays to OFA, if they fall within the first three classifications-excellent, good or fair, you/your dog gets a number and the rating becomes public domain, which anyone can view on the OFA site.

If the dog on the other paw gets a borderline; mild, moderate or severe report, the owner of the dog can choose to keep the information from the public/open data base.

What???

Well, that's most considerate-but it really doesn't help the cause. I believe if you choose to send the x-rays in to be evaluated-let the public see the results.

Then there are the unethical persons ( and they are out there-probably on KIJIJII) who confidently and proudly state their dog has had its hips x-rayed and leave it at that...without mentioning the results of the tests!!

Another choice is OVC at the University of Guelph, in Ontario.

OVC terminated their hip evaluations a couple of years ago for a short while but now have fully re-instated the program. OVC offers a 'Pass' without any sub-grading or a rating of Grade I-IV. With no sub-grading-did the hips pass just by a hair or are they excellent?

So this shows the comparison between the two rating systems:

OVC.............................OFA

Normal/Pass................Excellent

Normal/Pass................Good

Normal/Pass................Fair

Grade I........................ Borderline

Grade II.......................Mild Dysplasia

Grade III......................Moderate Dysplasia

Grade IV......................Severe Dysplasia

There's an interesting 'By Breed Dysplasia Statistics' list from OFA here: http://www.offa.org/hipstatbreed.html

When all is said and done, the rating should be a firm guideline for any serious breeder…which dog/line to keep in your breeding program and which to steer away from.

Unfortunately, just because the sire and dam both test clear of dysplasia, does not guarantee a litter of pups free of the disease.

It does however stack the odds in your favour that it won't be present!

HIP HIP HOORAY!

I'm planning on breeding my almost 3-year old girl in the near future. In order to ensure I've done all I can to produce healthy puppies, I will do some health testing. I won't be getting every test that's available but will cover the basics--heart, thyroid, hip x-rays and brucellosis. I expect the male we settle on using to have documentation on passing the same tests.

Hip xrays are an emotional test for any ethical breeder to do. If the dog's hips don't get a 'pass' on evaluation---you shouldn't breed your dog--no matter how beautiful it is or how many 'Best In Breed/Group' the dog has won!

Two weeks ago, I started searching for a veterinarian to do the hip x-rays. I wanted to ensure the same tragedy didn't take place as did with my last dog I got hip x-rays done on.

I had taken her to a vet who does alot of hip clearances. The selling point for me, although quite a drive to this vet's place, was a foam cradle that's placed on the exam table to hold the dog still and in place while the x-rays are being done. That also means the dog is not resting its spine on the hard steel tabletop.

After she had a light tranquilizer they were ready to do the x-ray. I asked if I could be of help getting her onto the table but they declined my offer and asked me to 'stay back.' Three of them hoisted her up onto the table and into the cradle. Within seconds, my girl, whose care I had entrusted to two vet techs and a veterinarian, squirmed out of their grip and fell three feet to the floor...onto her back.

Needless to say their warning to 'stay back' was no longer my concern. I was there beside her, helping her up and trying to calm her.

I then told them I would help get her back up onto the table. I figured we were there, she had been sedated-we might as well finish this nightmare and be done with it. I was standing at her head, calming her and we got the x-rays.

Never to return to that clinic, thank you!

Enter Dr. John and the Caledon Mountain Veterinary Hospital http://www.caledonvet.com/ in the delightful town of Caledon; which by the way, has been awarded the 'safest town to live in' in Canada for two years running (Macleans Magazine).

The receptionist connected me with a vet tech who I shared my concerns and past experience with. She patiently assured me they too had a cradle to place the dog in and had never had a dog squirm out of their grasp while on the table (would she have divulged this info??!). I decided to make an appointment.

This time, I brought along two people who I knew to have an abundance of calm, positive energy and who my girl is very fond of...just in case (thank you Mishelle & Sean!).

Dr. John and everyone who works along with him were very personable and caring. They spent the time needed to get to know the patient (Journey) before 'the hoist'. I was able to help put her onto the table, into the foam, without too much ado. I watched Dr. John gently place her rear legs into the required position (full extension) for a good read, then stepped quickly out of the little room while he did the x-ray. He asked me to keep talking to her through the door to keep her calm.

Journey squirmed abit--it's such an unnatural position for any dog to be placed in at anytime by anyone--especially in a place that's foreign to them! That position is usually savoured by a very relaxed, sleepy dog in the comfort, privacy and security of its own den.

X-rays done, Journey was carefully guided off the table and placed back onto the floor.

It was done!!

We met in an examination room where Dr. John spent more time, discussing the results of the x-rays. He put them up on a monitor and patiently outlined the details...the depth of the ball in the socket, the tightness of the fit into the socket, the roundness of the ball, the lack of any arthritic changes--all very much desired in a hip evaluation!

Hip Hip Hooray!!

I will follow-up tomorrow--x-rays done...now what?

COMMENTS: 1

I relate to the nightmare with hip x-ray. Just been through that recently. I had to find a new vet clinic to my hips, since the one that has done mine for years is gone now. The new place I decided to try was a nightmare....so now I'm still looking!! At least you found a good one in the end. :o)

D.W.