Explores the philosophy of dog show judging—balancing ideal standards, real faults, and the weight of breeding decisions.
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Speaking with a fellow judge and zoologist recently, we shared reflections about how pleasant it is to spend free time in the ivory tower. We were about to enter a conference hall for a national political event, so those quiet, sunny, airy rooms were far away from the crush of interests, both factional and individual, that we were about to encounter for several hours. At my desk in the rarefied air of the tower, I am free of influences, criticism, and real or practical concerns; I can contemplate the ideal. While these thoughts are unfettered by reality, they are significant, because this sifting and reasoning through of ideas determine conclusions that underpin my views, and ultimately, my actions.
I have occasionally reflected on the six definitions used to qualify1 dogs in Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) countries. (It does not matter where these definitions are used—on some occasions, such as open shows in the United Kingdom, judges do not qualify at all but jump straight into the lineup (classification2)—these musings are pure theory.) I first set my thoughts on this subject before the public in my short treatise Judging the Irish Terrier 3. Here, I pointed out that the two highest qualifications, Very Good and Excellent, are reserved for breeding quality; they describe entries that are very near the Breed Standard, with slight (barely noticeable) limits of a minor nature, and no noticeable limits in the major morphological groups, the axial and appendicular structures.
The defining difference between them is that Very Good describes a high-quality entry, and Excellent describes high-quality which also possesses distinction. Distinction is that air of superiority, a noble demeanor that leaves a trail of stardust wherever the dog goes. We have all met dogs of this category. You feel speechless for a moment, lost in admiration, you get goosebumps. These dogs are excellent. They do not come a dime a dozen; in fact, they are rare creatures.
If these definitions were true, there would be few ribbons distributed at any given show, and correspondingly few Champions made up for in each breed every year. My conclusion, therefore, is that Excellent is given to high-quality dogs with distinction, but also to high-quality dogs, free of noticeable limits, that present themselves well, and Very Good is for high-quality dogs with a few barely noticeable limits. Both of these qualifications indicate breeding quality, and few ribbons are still awarded, but more than would be if Excellent were a synonym for exceptional.
I had reason to revisit this subject while going over my Dachshund material before judging the breed at a recent show. This Standard (FCI) is a model of cynognostic principles applied to a breed. It is accompanied by a thorough comment on the Standard posted by the Welt Union Teckel (WUT)4 online, well-illustrated with numerous images. Under the heading Faults, all the limits previously addressed in the text are listed again and divided into categories under headings that use the qualification titles (point 66.1).
It starts with the mildest category: Excludes Excellent. The Faults listed are of a fairly serious nature, for example, if the dog has too little or too much ground clearance, is missing a permanent second molar (PM2)5, or if the bite is not the correct scissors but a level bite. The list is not short. However, the severity of the fault that would exclude Excellent for the Dachshund club is not my subject; I am curious about the starting point. The Dachshund club approaches qualifications from a different perspective than the FCI definitions. While the FCI General Guidelines add up qualities such as Distinction to reach Excellent, the WUT begins with Excellent and then specifies when you are to descend to a different level due to a specific characteristic and its severity.
Does this make a difference to the process of judging? Does it make a difference to the most important judges? To breeders? I was assured by a respected breeder of Dachshunds that dogs qualified as Very Good would never be considered by kennels for breeding. If this is true, here in Italy at least, we can afford that narrowing of the genetic pool, since we have a strong population in quality with high registration numbers, but this may not be so in other countries. In my own breed, the Irish Terrier, which is very low in registration numbers, we are greedy for dogs suitable for a given bitch. Some kennels do not exclude recessive carriers of hyperkeratosis, a pathology that has been nearly eradicated from our breed but could make a comeback if recessive dogs are bred from. Very Good is far from representing a stigma for our breeders.
In the ring, I cannot help approaching qualification like the WUT model, from the top. I give all entries full marks before they enter the ring. Like all judges, I see quality or limits before the dog has come to their stacked position in the class lineup, and then the individual examination is to confirm and identify the exact issues of the dog, and to check things one does not see at a distance. I always round up when in doubt.
The truth is we love dogs; this love wants to be encouraging to breeders who share this passion, and it wants to credit dogs that are well-bred and are giving us their best that day. However, loving dogs is a double-edged sword; it is not a service to the breed to award a dog that is less than optimal. Judges have a duty to advise and direct breeding of the next generation, so we must give the stamp of approved breeding material with a great sense of responsibility. I had a Dachshund at my recent show with two joined coccygeal vertebrae, so I could not confirm this dog for reproduction. I said this to the owner-handler and suggested they take her home and love her to bits, but obtain a puppy from another bitch.
We are just notaries; we apply the Standard according to regulations. There is very little creativity or opinion involved, but hope springs eternal, and we eagerly cheer on our next class as it prepares to enter the ring.
Qualification
EXCELLENT may only be awarded to a dog which comes very close to the ideal standard of the breed, which is presented in excellent condition, displays a harmonious, well-balanced temperament, is of high class and has excellent posture. Its superior characteristics in respect of its breed permit that minor imperfections can be ignored; it must however have the typical features of its sex.
Notes This entry presents no noticeable faults in the axial or appendicular structure. Any secondary fault appears minor compared to the outstanding virtues and natural grace of the entry.
VERY GOOD may only be awarded to a dog that possesses the typical features of its breed, which has well-balanced proportions and is in correct condition. A few minor faults may be tolerated. This award can only be granted to a dog that shows class.
Notes There may be some barely noticeable faults in the axial or appendicular structure, but there are also important virtues. This entry should not be excluded from a breeding program.
GOOD is to be awarded to a dog that possesses the main features of its breed. The good points should outweigh the faults so that the dog can be considered a good representative of its breed.
Notes This entry has some nice qualities, but the faults are noticeable, and they are not countered by significant advantages to contribute to a breeding program.
SUFFICIENT should be awarded to a dog which corresponds adequately to its breed, without possessing the generally accepted characteristics or whose physical condition leaves a lot to be desired.
Notes This entry should be warmly welcomed but not encouraged to breed.
DISQUALIFIED must be awarded to a dog which does not correspond to the type required by the breed standard; which shows a behavior clearly not in line with its standard or which behaves aggressively; which has testicular abnormalities; which has a jaw anomaly; which shows a colour or coat structure that is not according to the breed standard or clearly shows signs of albinism. This qualification shall also be awarded to dogs that correspond so little to a single feature of the breed that their health is threatened. It should furthermore be awarded to dogs that show disqualifying faults in regard to the breed standard. The reason why the dog was rated DISQUALIFIED has to be stated in the judge’s report. Dogs that cannot be awarded one of the above qualifications shall be released from the ring with the rating:
Notes This entry has evident faults of a serious nature.
CANNOT BE JUDGED this rating is to be given to any dog which does not move, which is lame, which constantly jumps up and down on its handler or tries to get out of the ring, which makes it impossible to assess the gait and the movement or avoids constantly to be examined by the judge and makes it impossible to inspect teeth, anatomy and structure, tail or testicles. This rating is also to be given if traces of operations or treatment can be observed which seem to indicate that the exhibitor wanted to deceive the judge. The same applies if the judge has ample reason to suspect operations that were intended to correct the original condition or feature (e.g.: eyelid, ear or tail). This rating is also to be given in case of “double handling” (i.e. attracting the dog’s attention from outside the ring) – which is strictly prohibited. The reason why the dog was rated CANNOT BE JUDGED has to be stated in the judge’s report.
Notes This could be a handsome entry and the first impression may have been excellent. On closer examination you find faults that genetically carry the potential of ruining good lines in the breed and small traces make you suspect that import-ant limits may have been artificially corrected. Rather than risk a recommendation to breeders to use this entry in their breeding, better to let it go. The entry is free to compete another day, and if no one else notices anything, the dog can become a champion. If other judges notice the irregularity, you will have protected future generations of the breed. This is the right qualification also in cases of intractable behavior which is a polygenetic inherited trait, or for dogs complete-ly incapable of handling the show ring pressure. They fail to concentrate and need ‘outside’ help from ringside or fall apart altogether psychologically. Perhaps with more condi-tioning they can return another day to compete successfully.
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