Bringing Into Focus: Spanish Water Dogs

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, September 2015 issue.

Bringing Into Focus: Spanish Water Dogs

January 1, 2015 brought a new year and new challenges for Spanish Water Dogs. On that date, the breed became eligible to compete at AKC shows in the regular classes. Like most breeds achieving full recognition, there was a rush to show our dogs and to compete in the big ring. It didn’t take long before we had our first majors, our first conformation champion, and some very nice group placements for the breed. With a whole nine months of ring experience under our belts, it is time to look at where the breed has been and where it needs to go. This article is based on our own observations combined with the very valuable commentary received from those who have judged the breed.

That experience and valuable input may serve to help us better visualize and evaluate the Spanish Water Dog. In preparing the standard for the Spanish Water Dog that has been adopted by the AKC, the parent club attempted to avoid some of the pitfalls contained in the FCI standard. Measurements were converted, translation difficulties rectified, and an attempt to clarify the word picture that we use for judging was made by the committee. Most of it is pretty good but, as anticipated, many judges superimpose their vast experience and individual priorities in their judging. This is as it should be, and it gives us the opportunity to share these “early returns”—let’s call it focusing on the issues.

COAT

One of the most controversial issues in SWDs centers on the coat. The standard clearly describes the coat as: “…the recommended length of the coat is between 1″ and 5″ to demonstrate the quality of the curl or cord.” We have encountered some problems in translating this word picture into reality. First, like the Puli, the Komondor, and of course the Poodle, the SWD is a corded breed. At work, the cords serve as insulation from both heat and cold. This is as true in the cold waters of Chesapeake Bay as it is in the mountains of the Iberian Peninsula. Nonetheless, we are told by those who work their dogs in open water retrieving that cords that are too long can absorb water, impede working ability, and cause the dog to tire prematurely. The same may be true of dogs herding in a very warm environment. There is no question that cords hanging to the ground, or even exceeding five inches or so in length, could impede the herding or retrieving functions of the breed.

Many breeders and exhibitors are struggling to discover an acceptable way to present mature cords in the show ring. The mature coat, like that of a hard-coated terrier, takes a certain amount of nurturing and care. While breeders and judges of other corded breeds have been most willing and able to help us in this quest, the fact that the SWD has a single coat that forms cords a bit differently and perhaps needs its own management protocol. Untended, the cords become matted and the hair within the cord turns color, necessitating that the coat be cut down. Many breeders have learned to separate the cords as they grow to prevent matting and, of course, a certain amount of regular bathing is required. The mature cord on an SWD has a small curly and wispy tip. The end is neither flat nor pointed but somewhat ragged leading up to the wispy curl. Anything else would lead to question about grooming techniques. That, of course, brings us to other parts of the standard which are cause for even greater concern.

PROPORTION

For most of us, e=mc² is a concept; for a few others, it is provable fact. One might well take that into consideration when reading the SWD standard where it states, “Measured from point of shoulder to buttocks and withers to the ground 9:8.” Being realistic, one will have to admit that this is a concept; although it may actually be harder to prove than Einstein’s theory. It is difficult to determine this close a ratio from across the ring and close to impossible under a corded coat. Given our very limited time to examine and evaluate an exhibit, 9:8 is apt to remain a concept or, more likely, in the future, to disappear from the standard. A significant problem arises when we mentally substitute the phrase “slightly longer than tall.” The very word “slightly” encourages individual perception and variation. How much longer than tall should they be? A “tad,” a “scosh,” a “smidgen?” It all leaves us back where we started.

In one of our early seminars, the inevitable question of length was answered with the response that SWDs might be closer to square than not. That’s close, but it really isn’t correct. So far, every SWD that I have seen is longer than tall. The only problem is “How much?” SLIGHTLY. Very, very slightly. Without a measuring device, you cannot determine 9:8 or even 11:8. You need to rely on good judgment (and later experience). Most seasoned judges will be easily able to do this. Excessive body length manifests itself in the rise over the loin and the excessive tuck-up discussed elsewhere. Many of the exhibits being shown are (or appear) longer than the standard intended. If the dog (or bitch) in front of you appears to be well balanced, then the body proportion is probably okay. You still have to make your best effort while examining the dog to find and evaluate the landmark points, your overall impression may be your final guide.

GROOMING

‘Any brushing, aesthetic trimming, or sculpting of the coat that alters natural appearance is to be severely penalized.’ The severity of the penalty is up to the judge, but ‘to the extent of being eliminated from competition’ comes to mind. If the brushing or grooming leaves the coat smooth or wavy, then, of course, the exhibit should be disqualified. Surprisingly, the large number of SWDs being shown since January has fostered a number of different techniques in preparation for the show ring. The fact that obviously trimmed and sculpted dogs have, on occasion, been rewarded leads to even more difficulty and misunderstanding.

Although clipping is allowed under the present standard, ‘the clipping is always complete and even.’ A dog in cords with little or no hair about its eyes, stop, and muzzle is not even and has probably been trimmed. Handlers, both owners and professional, pride themselves on their grooming ability. It is, after all, a dog show. The parent club stresses the importance of discouraging and penalizing aesthetic trimming, shaping, combing out, or other forms of grooming prohibited by the standard. Our compliments and thanks to those judges who dealt with the issue in the ring and those who have sought guidance on the issue.

TOPLINE & BODY

Many of the exhibits that have been shown since January display a slight rise over the loin and an amount of tuck-up that exceeds that called for by the standard. The standard is explicit in stating, ‘The topline is straight’ and ‘Tuck-up is slight.’ We wanted to keep it simple. If we were preparing an illustrated standard, I think we might add an explanation that the topline should be straight and level. Assuming the neck rises appropriately, one should be able to place a board along the back and not see daylight. It’s that level. Excessive tuck-up may either actually exist or be groomed into the appearance of the dog. We have seen multiple instances of both in recent months.

The words ‘elegant,’ ‘racy,’ and ‘agile’ are not found in the standard. ‘Sturdy,’ ‘robust,’ and ‘powerful’ are more accurate descriptions. The explanation we receive is that the dog ‘will grow out of it,’ and this may, in fact, be true in some cases, but we judge them on the day, and an overall lack of substance that often accompanies the faulty topline and excessive tuck-up most often stays with the dog for life. You all know that the only way to accurately assess the topline, tuck-up, croup, and a myriad of other anatomy is to get your fingers into the coat and down to the dog itself. To be brutally honest, it is not easy to do this when the dog smells. SWD exhibitors have been very diligent in recognizing this and bring their dogs to the show clean. We hope you will give each exhibit consideration in a thorough examination by reaching under the cords, but there is no reason to tolerate a messy, smelly, or unclean dog.

COLOR

Under the AKC standard as currently written, roan coloration or ‘ticking’ is entirely permissible. The prohibition for ticking found in the FCI standard was deliberately not carried over into the American version. Roan (in dogs) is described as ‘a fine mixture of colored hairs with white hairs: blue roan, orange roan, lemon roan, etc.’ That really leaves us a bit out of focus. In SWDs, some folks are calling it ‘tweed,’ while old hound guys like your writer call it ‘ticking.’ Regardless, you are going to see some very nice dogs that display fine white hairs intermingled with patches of black or brown. There is absolutely no objection to this. There is a good deal of ongoing scientific discussion about the genetic factors that lead to this coat color. ‘Roan’ is not the same in horses (where the roaning is widespread and connected) and in dogs where it may be confined to spots or ticking against an otherwise non-pigmented background.

The presence, size, and shape of the tick marks themselves are determined by genes separate from those which determine the color. Many breeds, such as the English Setter (belton), the English Cocker Spaniel, and more recently the Lagotto Romagnolo, have embraced roan coloration and included it in their standards. For now, both the American and UK standards are silent on the issue, thus fully accepting these markings. In the near future, we hope to complete a comparative DNA analysis to confirm that the gene responsible for roaning or ‘ticking’ is and has been a part of SWD genetics since its development. While there is no color preference amongst the allowable colors, dogs with roaning or ticking merit full and serious consideration.

THE FUTURE

After nine months in the ring, Spanish Water Dogs have delivered two or three Grand Champions, and a multitude of other dogs have finished. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. We’ve learned to show our dogs better than we did before being recognized, and we’ve gained a better understanding of the show process. It has become pretty clear that we have no endemic health issues in the breed, although there are certainly challenges in that area. We’ve also come to realize some of the more common faults in our dogs that were not so obvious before we began coming together for shows. Many of the champions that have been made up so far vary widely in proportion, outline, substance, and that all-elusive quality known as ‘type.’ This is not an uncommon situation for a newly recognized breed, and we look forward to seeing ‘type’ stabilize in the coming years. We are also hoping for more dedicated breeders and exhibitors to join the ranks, bringing their expertise and perhaps some new bloodlines.

From this writer’s perspective, one of the most amazing things (and I don’t use that word often) is the excellent reception that the judging community has afforded the Spanish Water Dog. Some judges have had prior experience with SWDs internationally and have taken the time to let us know of problems (and virtues) that they have encountered with these first entries. Others have ‘gone with their gut’ and applied decades of judging experience, calling or e-mailing later to discuss their placements. We’ve had so much excellent feedback from so many highly qualified judges that I can truly say that it is our committee that is getting Judges’ Education. If you are one that has shared your knowledge and views, we thank you. You are helping us to bring this exciting new breed into focus.