Dear AKC Judges:
In its mother country, the Kuvasz is considered a national treasure—a heritage breed—and it is protected by the Hungarian government. The Kuvasz is not afforded such status in the United States, but the Kuvasz Club of America is concerned about the breed’s future, and our need to protect the heritage of this noble breed is paramount. It is our duty. The KCA will implement several things to raise awareness of the breed in an educated manner.
Protection of the breed also includes its heritage; what makes a Kuvasz a Kuvasz. The dogs should be shown as naturally as possible, as only a wash and dry would allow.
Our AKC Breed Standard states:
“Coat: The Kuvasz has a double coat, formed by guard hair and fine undercoat. The texture of the coat is medium coarse. The coat ranges from quite wavy to straight. Distribution follows a definite pattern over the body regardless of coat type. The head, muzzle, ears and paws are covered with short, smooth hair. The neck has a mane that extends to and covers the chest.
Coat on the front of the forelegs up to the elbows and the hind legs below the thighs is short and smooth. The backs of the forelegs are feathered to the pastern with hair 2 to 3 inches long. The body and sides of the thighs are covered with a medium length coat. The back of the thighs and the entire tail are covered with hair 4 to 6 inches long. It is natural for the Kuvasz to lose most of the long coat during hot weather. Full luxuriant coat comes in seasonally, depending on climate. Summer coat should not be penalized. Color: White.”
Today we are asking judges to stop putting up topiary-groomed Kuvasz.
The Cambridge Dictionary definition of “topiary” is: “The art of cutting bushes into attractive shapes, especially of animals and birds, or bushes shaped in this way.”
The beautiful coat of the Kuvasz is lost for the sake of Conformation wins. Exhibitors lament that they have to scissor or they cannot win. Instead, it should be that they have to show a natural coat or they cannot win. That puts the ball in the judges’ court.
Mature males and females should have a mane, more pronounced in the male. Is what you see forechest? Do you see a nice neck going into the shoulders? Or is it hair? All shades of white are allowed; the shade of white should not be a determining factor in judging.
Rewarding full-body scissored Kuvasz is totally contradictory to the breed’s heritage and its value in general. If judges stop rewarding it, it will quickly become obsolete. We want to hear exhibitors say they cannot win if they scissor their dog. Please make it happen.
Respectfully,
Kuvasz Club of America Board of Directors and Judges Education Council
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