Interview with Benjamin Sánchez García, FCI All-Breed Judge: Insights on Breeding, Judging, Dog Shows, and Animal Welfare.
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Benjamin Sánchez García
1. My name is Benjamin Sánchez García, and I am based in Jerez, located in the southern part of Spain, a city world-renowned for its wine industry. Besides my passion for dogs, I am a veterinarian by profession. Currently, I work for the government, primarily in animal health programs, focusing on ensuring the well-being of animals across various sectors. This has given me a broader perspective on animal welfare and a deep understanding of different species, but my heart has always been with dogs.
My journey into breeding started formally in 1992 with my FCI kennel prefix, “Fraguel’s.” Over the years, my breeding program has evolved, and today, I specialize in Whippets, Spanish Water Dogs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and the Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz. However, my love for dogs extends far beyond these breeds. In the past, I have worked with many other breeds, which has allowed me to learn from different canine temperaments, traits, and physical characteristics.
As for dog shows, my involvement began in 1989 as an exhibitor. Interestingly, my first experience with dog shows goes back much further—to 1974—when I attended the Jerez Dog Show as a visitor at just five years old. That early exposure left a lasting impression on me, setting the stage for what would become a lifelong passion. I became a judge in 1997, initially for National Open Shows, and by 2018 I had earned my FCI International All-Breed Judge certification. This progression has given me a rich, multifaceted experience in the dog world, from breeding and exhibiting to judging.
2. The condition of each breed varies significantly, especially because I work with multiple breeds, each with its own unique set of challenges and developments. Overall, most breeds are in good health, and I believe breeders are generally doing their best to preserve important traits. However, I have noticed a concerning trend: the overall quality of some breeds has declined over the past 15 years or so. This is not just a localized issue but a global one. The quality that we used to see—both in terms of conformation and temperament—seems to have diminished somewhat. Part of this may be due to a shift in breeding practices, where the emphasis is sometimes placed on achieving fast titles or breeding for appearance rather than maintaining the full Standard of the breed. While most breeders are dedicated to preservation, some may prioritize other aspects which can lead to a dilution of important characteristics that make a breed truly distinct.
3. The state of the sport today varies considerably from one country to another. In my view, the United States has developed the sport more robustly than many other parts of the world, offering more opportunities for both exhibitors and breeders. However, in Europe, we are facing different challenges, primarily due to changing laws related to animal welfare. These laws, although well-intentioned, sometimes create obstacles for breeders who are working to preserve specific traits in a breed. There is also a growing “war” against breeding in some regions, driven by certain animal rights groups that don’t fully understand the role of responsible breeders in preserving healthy, well-balanced dogs.
In terms of judging, I don’t think it has evolved significantly in recent years. Judging is still generally solid, but there are areas where we could improve. One key issue is education—both for judges and exhibitors. We need to ensure that judges are consistently trained and up-to-date with Breed Standards, but equally important is educating exhibitors and the general public about conformation and the purpose behind our decisions. In today’s climate, many people don’t fully understand why certain traits are valued in a breed, which can lead to confusion and criticism of the judging process.
When it comes to the number of shows, I believe we’ve reached a point of oversaturation. There are too many shows, and as a result, the quality of entries and the prestige of the titles have decreased. Instead of focusing on quantity, we should aim for fewer, higher-quality shows that attract more entries and offer titles that truly mean something. The current “fast title” culture, where titles are achieved quickly and sometimes without real merit, is not beneficial for the sport in the long term.
4. Although I have never been personally involved in performance events, I appreciate their role within the dog world. These events offer a unique opportunity for dogs and handlers to bond while achieving performance titles, and they promote an active, fun way for dogs to showcase their abilities beyond the Conformation ring.
That said, I sometimes question whether performance titles contribute to our understanding of a breed from a preservation perspective. In some cases, focusing on performance might even contradict the goals of preservation, especially if physical traits that are essential for conformation are neglected in favor of performance abilities. This can be a delicate balance, and as breeders it’s important to maintain the breed’s original purpose and physical structure while also supporting other areas of competition.
5. Social media is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provides a valuable platform for promoting our breeds, connecting with other breeders, and reaching a wider audience. It allows us to share knowledge, showcase our dogs, and celebrate achievements in a way that wasn’t possible before. However, it also has its downsides. Misinformation can spread quickly, and the focus on aesthetics in photos and videos can sometimes overshadow the true purpose of breeding and showing dogs according to the Standard.
Moreover, social media can contribute to the “fast title” culture I mentioned earlier. People may be more focused on how many titles a dog has rather than the quality of the dog itself, which can be harmful to the sport in the long run.
6. From a European perspective, one of the biggest challenges we face is simply surviving. The dog show community is being attacked from multiple angles, particularly by groups that oppose breeding and the concept of purebred dogs. These challenges require us to be more proactive in educating the public about the importance of preservation breeding and the value of maintaining purebred dogs.
We need to focus on increasing the sporting aspect of dog shows and making them more accessible and engaging to the general public. Transparency is key—sharing our goals, methods, and the reasons behind what we do can help to bridge the gap between breeders and the broader community.
7. I don’t want to sound overly negative, but it’s hard to point to many positive changes in the sport lately. The difficulties seem to be mounting, and I haven’t seen as much progress as I would hope. However, we do have better tools and access to more knowledge than we did in the past. Advances in genetics, health testing, and breeding practices give us more control over the outcomes of our breeding programs, but at the same time, we face significant challenges in sharing this work with a broader audience due to
external pressures.
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