Hi
Interesting topic
With any Standard judged by humans and not a robot or computer the subjective
factor is in place ---undeniable
There are certain objective aspects that are not subjective or at least should
not be
There are 3 judging parameters that all should recognize ALL EQUALLY
important!!!
1. TEMPERAMENT
2. STANDING ANATOMY
3. MOVEMENT
While subjectively is present to some degree it should be least with Temperament
Morton
"You must live with a great dog to discover what makes them different and
exceptional or you miss one of life's great joys"
Morton Goldfarb,M.D. FACS
On Jun 27, 2015, at 2:47 PM, RivendellP <RivendellP@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hiya all...
The “Standard” is a blueprint to as close as possible...the perfect dog.
And...as the Standard states...”unmistakable when present”. That
said...Judges are not all cookie cutter imprints that will do the exact same
thing. We do our best to judge dogs to our own interpretation of the
Standard. John De Hope (GRHS) & I used to talk for hours on end discussing
just such questions that Kathy posted below. The phone would ring in the
middle of the night and it would be John asking me which fault was more
important to me? Sometimes he would take “pro” & I would be left with “con” &
then we would switch sides. The bottom line in our discussion was Judges
interpret the Standard differently so it is up to the exhibitor to take their
dogs to the best Judge for their dogs. Sounds simple...right? Not so much as
we’ve found in our 35 years in the sport.
Our breed is one of the most utilitarian on da planet. They are different
pegs that fit in many different holes from Police work, guide dogs, working
(as in herding), service dogs, to serving our country in times of war &
peace. They react equally well in the various segments of our sport...i.e.,
conformation, obedience, rally, agility, & herding. That said...there is one
attribute that serves them all well in each venue...correct structure. If
that structure is correct they will be able to accomplish each task with
greater ease. If that structure allows them to move with an “ease of motion”
(also unmistakable when present) they will accomplish each task with less
expended energy that also allows them to do any task longer than a dog whose
structure is less correct. I once wrote an article on motion with
illustrations from noted artist\exhibitor Syd Mailburg. (GRHS) I still have
them but don’t know if I can somehow transfer them to “Da List”? Syd made
the illustrations from pictures of actual dogs in motion & captured the
depictions as only she could.
Imagine a line that runs parallel to the ground. That line runs through the
prosternum of the dog and out the ischium on the croup of the dog. If the
line remains parallel while the dog is in motion, the energy expended is the
least possible to accomplish a dogs task. If the line runs up or down from
parallel, more energy is required to achieve the desired number of steps to
be taken. It’s easier to explain with the illustrations for reference...
It is a good discussion for all on “Da List”...oldsters & newbies alike.
Paul
PS...GRHS means God rest his\her soul...both John & Syd have left this
life...but left their impressions for all of us to appreciate.
Educational and informational. We need more of this type of discussion on the
list. I would also like to read about competition training in obedience,
tracking, and herding.
Thanks
John, Rita, Callie, and
On Friday, June 26, 2015, Kathy Martin <foxtrotgsd@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
OK.....I'm sure I would agree with you on that one VBG. However, does that
mean we should look to change the standard? If the size/weight listed in the
standard are simply the "desirable" traits, does that mean that under/over
are "undesirable" traits? If we choose to ignore the size/weights specified,
does that mean we can pick and choose which parts of the standard we adhere
to?
If it's OK for a dog to be an inch over size, does that mean being an inch
under the desired size is also OK? In reality I doubt there are many judges
that would put up the "under" size. Let's hear from some of those judges out
there!
Just throwing these thoughts out there for purpose of
discussion.....remember, it's all FB's fault. He asked for discussion topics!
For the record, I'm the first to admit I love a big boned "hunky" masculine
male dog.
Kathy Martin
