How far are we prepared to go with the preoccupation of our misconception of type? Do we distinguish between true types or do we help to create a fad or, at best, allow ourselves to “go with the flow” regardless of what the standard prescribes? Case in point: what has become common (almost to the extinction of what is correct) is to find Old English Sheepdogs higher in wither than at the croup. It is far better, in my opinion, to make an in-depth study of structure and movement as called for and/or should be known for the various basic breed types. It isn’t sufficient to pass a test on a breed standard as that only requires memorization–the important thing is to apply it.

These characteristics far easier to correct than, for example, to get and maintain a good front.

I like a Sammy smile but I insist that he should be able to pull a sled! Bravo to those among us who recognize greatness in a dog while openly admitting that they would prefer a better head or darker eye, etc. I will agree that the latter, in many cases, is more likely to happen. In my view, we do not have the right to judge solely on movement nor do we have the right to judge solely on heads or other obvious meristic characteristics. That is as it should be and one only of several reasons, for example, why the Performance Evaluation Test (Hands-On) has been a failure and a waste of money, kept alive to whatever extent only in an attempt to save face. This is the basis upon which respected judges interchange the same group of dogs because they rate factors differently in reaching a decision. More often than not, judging involves trade-offs. From the archives of The Canine Chronicle, June, 1992

7 year itch part 1