ALL ROUNDER WORLD …
A Forum for the DOG WORLD Annual in which Andrew Brace asks several busy all-rounder judges for their opinions on things topical
He speaks to Terry Thorn
My first overseas appointment was at a small national show in France in 1973, courtesy of the late Bobby James who gave me firm instructions to be very hard in my judgements and not to hand out CACs like confetti. I obeyed and gave out only two from a possible fourteen. My new experience came as quite a shock as the entry and overall quality could be likened to an Exemption Show in the UK – I was not impressed.
My judging career started as a Saluki specialist in 1964, later to expand into allied sighthound breeds later to be followed b y breeds from other groups.
Yes, as I added further breeds to my portfolio my perspective changed considerably. No longer did I differentiate between different types within my original breed but judged it as a whole dog with ‘type’ taking on a different meaning - soundness, quality and correct movement coming to the fore.
2. How much of a problem do you find minor differences in Breed Standards when judging overseas? Is it easy to adjust your eye? Have you found that type in a breed can vary significantly from country to country?
The differences between the KC and the FCI breed standards are, in the main, minimal and I find no problems here, however in many breeds in the USA there are marked differences together with many disqualification clauses. At first these caused me minor problems but after a few visits I quickly got the hang of things. I find that true breed type varies a great deal country to country, not in all breeds but perhaps gundogs are notable and here perhaps English Setters are the outstanding example.
3. What breeds do you feel have improved noticeably on an international level? Is there any particular reason for this? Conversely, do you believe that some breeds have deteriorated, and if so which?
Many breeds in FCI Group 10 (companion dogs) have improved greatly over the years alongside presentation. Poodles, Tibetan Spaniels, Tibetan Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus, Pugs and Cavaliers are examples. Breeds within this group have increased rapidly in popularity and it is pleasing to see that quality has improved along parallel lines. Conversely I find that FCI Group 7 (Pointers and Setters) appears to be on a downward spiral with many of the breeds not recognisable as what they really are. Weimaraners are a good example with American blood lines not matching the European.
4. In which countries, and under which systems, do you most enjoy judging, and why?
Out of all the different jurisdictions I find that judging in the U.S.A. suits me best. Having to work to strict procedures and timetables with large numbers of dog allocated to each judge, it makes one very efficient and this reflects when judging in the UK and mainland Europe.
5. Do you feel that the written critique serves a useful purpose? Is a system which provides individual critiques on every dog advantaged over those that do not?
Although I think that writing an individual critique on each dog serves a useful purpose it is mainly for the benefit of the exhibitor. Quite a number of these critiques are published in club magazines and internet sites and a copy is retained by the Kennel Club of the country concerned. Most are checked against other opinions of the same dog and this gives instant recognition of the shortcomings of certain judges. As a judge I prefer the American system where there are no critiques at all and secondly the UK with notes only on the first two placements in each class, which, incidentally is now a compulsory KC rule.
6. Do you find, internationally, that there is a tendency for breeds to drift away to the generic show dog rather than maintaining the integrity of breed type? As a judge how do you see your part in helping to check this, if it is the case? What problems do you feel the dog sport is facing globally? Have you found the legislation on cropping and docking to have had any marked effect?
I do find internationally that there is a tendency for breeds to drift away into a ‘generic’ show dog. In my opinion the main reason for this is the professional handler syndrome which appears to be growing in FCI countries and to a much lesser extent, the UK. The States is quite another matter! Mediocre dogs that are expertly prepared and handled, sometimes with aggressive handling techniques, win far more than they deserve from weak judges. A judge does not owe professional handlers a living and all dogs should be judged on a level playing field and placed accordingly.
The world in general is facing a crisis in obtaining venues for dog shows at affordable prices. For each hike in rents there has to be an increase in entry fees and this is hitting the poor exhibitors very hard indeed. Some of the larger venues have realised that they are in monopoly positions as far as dog shows are concerned and milk the shows accordingly. It is not just the UK but is far more serious across mainland Europe where entry fees are already hitting the £40 mark. This is why entries are falling and will continue to do so.
The banning of cropping and docking has already had a marked effect and many top breeders have called it a day. However had we been born into a world where tails and ears were natural we would have known nothing else and our aesthetic picture of the perfect dog would have been quite different. I must admit it makes no difference to me!
7. You have seen many thousands of dogs during your judging career. Could you name three that, for you, illustrate outstanding breed type coupled with that magical presence or charisma?
To name three dogs out of the many, many thousands judged is perhaps the most difficult question of all however, without any bias, I choose the Irish Wolfhound, Champion Drakesleat Kyak – the breed record holder and winner of several Best in Shows at general championship events. I, like many others, consider him to be the blueprint of this lovely breed. Kyak certainly had ring presence and charisma and would always take a mighty leap on to the winner’s rostrum before the result had been signalled. My number two would be Osman Sameja’s Yorkshire Terrier, Champion Ozmillion Mystification who is another breed record holder. I awarded this outstanding dog Best in Show at Crufts in 1997. His ring presence was phenomenal. For my number three I choose Mike Bottomley’s American Cocker Spaniel bitch Sh Ch Homestead’s Tiffany with Boduf, if ever a show dog had charisma it would have to be her! She put her all into both showing & moving. No small wonder that she broke all records in the breed with her massive count of CCs, Group wins and Best in Shows.
8. What advice would you give to someone who has expressed an interest in judging beyond their own breed?
My advice for any budding multi breed judge is to fully concentrate on all the breeds allied to your own and build up a good portfolio of dogs judged. After which select three breeds, that really appeal to you, from another group and do the same. Attend as many breed lectures as possible and keep in contact with breed club secretaries to update you C.V. at every opportunity. Once you are approved to award three sets of CCs in your own group then you should apply to the organiser of the Judges Development Programme to further your education in the rest of the breeds.
Completely honest and unbiased judging will get you noticed far more than the “scratching back” syndrome.