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Dillon and Cooper at
Central Ohio Dachshund Club Specialty

Dillon with his dog Cooper went Winners Dog and Best of Winners for a 3 point major at the Central Ohio Dachshund Club Specialty.  This was the first time Dillon showed his new dog, Cooper.  What a DYNAMIC DUO they make.  It was thrilling to see our soon to be 13 year old Junior take charge of his dog and enter the ring with confidence.  He allowed Cooper to move out beautifully and did a really good job stacking that big boy on the table.  Dillon listened to the judge and appeared thoughtful with all comments.  By the time he had done the triangle and went around, I felt tears burning my eyes with pride.

Dillon has proved to be a very good student that listens to instructions and puts them in practice.  He can be very hard on himself if he makes a mistake.  We keep reminding him we aren't saving lives, it's a dog show, but he is the type of person that has a strong work ethic and maintains a high personal standard.  With that combination I know he will be very successful in all his endeavors.

When he went back in for Best of Variety, he entered with well known professional handlers, very successful long-time breeder/owner/handlers.  I know he was nervous but it didn't show too much.  When he was pointed at the the judge said, "You young man are Best of Winners" I was just bursting for him.  When he immediately looked at me with that huge smile, I could have bawled with sheer delight.

He wasn't as successful at the second specialty Saturday or the All Breed on Sunday.  That is as life.  You win some and you lose some.  That is another great lesson for all of us, not just a Junior.  He can come out of the ring and tell you what he did well and what he could have done better.  It's important that he learns that if he was guaranteed to win each time out, that soon no one else would show up to compete.  He also must be a graceful winner and loser.  

Dillon is a great kid!   If you have thought about sponsoring a Junior, what are you waiting on?  It's so rewarding for you and the Junior.  You are missing out on those moments like we are having.  Every time Dillon successfully learns another skill or when he giggles with delight when playing with his dog or when he has a successful showing, that gives me indescribable joy.

Pam McClintock offers her thoughts and opinions regarding the state of The Dog Fancy in Canada. 

My Perfect World

In my perfect world,  the road to a dog show would be short, the judges would love each dog I presented to them, and my wins would be constant. Each breed has a standard and each judge who adjudicates upon a class of dogs can interpret that standard to his/her own desired specifications. But how then can interpretation vary to such a marked degree in so many cases. To interpret is 'to give one's impression ' as defined in the dictionary. Therefore I suppose it follows that when a judge is allotting wins in a class of  dogs, the decisions made are based on the standard as it has been studied and as it has been compared to the animals standing before him. What of the dog that is considered too large.  Not a disqualifying fault according to the standard,  but there exists in this written credo a variation of,  let us say,  2 inches lowest to highest and dog A is closer to the higher range in height. His other attributes adhere to the standard in terms of bone mass, colour, head properties and functional movement. How then does the baby get thrown out with the bath water because a judge proclaims that he is 'too large for me'. Perhaps this is the area of interpretation that requires some adjustment. If the written standard allows for height variations and providing these have not been exceeded, how then can an animal be too large. Faulting an otherwise worthy dog for personal height preference or any other partiality for that matter that does not apply to the written standard is unsuitable judging. For arguments sake, let us consider colour. A breed is recognized  in three allowable colours:  black,  white  and purple. with no one colour  being preferred over the other. The best dog in the ring is a black one but the judge on the day has freely admitted that he prefers this breed in purple. And so he awards the lesser purple dog. But how can that be when the written rules for the breed make no allowance for placing one colour preferential to the other. Personal choice cannot supersede  a judges' obligation to bestow honours on the dog most deserving,  providing all aspects of the standard are met in terms  of size, form, shape, and function.

If the standard is the blueprint for the breed , then a judge can be considered the building consultant, who must adhere to the written word as it describes each breed of dog. This is a daunting task when one considers that we have in excess of 140 CKC recognized breeds with more on the horizon awaiting approval. The memory required to recall height, weight, colour, and structure in a given breed is monumental.  Many exhibitors are dismayed when observing  a judge referencing the breed standard for information on a given trait.  Why?? Does this not indicate a desire to be properly enlightened and confident of one's choices before making the ultimate decision. There is no shame in admitting that the complexities and various subtleties of a breed can be easily overlooked when only mere minutes are possible to assess each entrant. Perhaps all breed judging status is beyond the scope of us mere mortals.  And while certain degrees of judging aptitude are applicable to many breeds,  it is the smaller distinctions that set each breed apart,  making them unique and singular in their appeal. Exhibitors  must shoulder a portion of the responsibility that encourages a  judges' ability to adhere to the standards. For example, when chows lack a stilted gait,  bulldogs do not roll,  and afghans are not elastic in  their stride, how then can one expect a judge to recognize a superior specimen if  one does not exist in his/her ring. If we are to request that judges scrutinize our breeds and reach conclusions about their worthiness as required by the standard , then we as exhibitors are compelled to provide dogs of merit. To succumb to fads and fashions that are currently the winning craze is to lose sight of the original purpose and destiny of the breeds The future of the dog is in our hands and in my perfect world,  each dog is a carbon copy of the standard with perfection and excellence being the paramount qualities that demand attention and deserve recognition. 

Pam welcome your comments, thoughts and ideas. Please share with her at:  pamm@niagara.com  or find her on Facebook.