Seminar

By Gwyn Hague

Anyone who has ever been to a Dog Show will have perhaps thought when a judge picks their line up and then best of breed, “Why that dog, why not this one”? It may appear to the onlooker that a gorgeous looking dog has not made it to the final cut, what does the judge know that an onlooker can’t see?

Reading the breed standard is all well and good but when judging a dog (whether it be for breeding or showing), in order to make an informed decision, a knowledge of conformation and movement is essential.

In recognition of this, the Kennel Club have appointed accredited trainers and invited Dog Clubs to organise seminars on Conformation and Movement and to provide hands on assessments as well as knowledge of the requirements of a Dog Show Judge and Ring Stewarding. On 3rd February this year a small group from the MSCGB attended a seminar on Conformation and Movement and the Requirements of a Dog Show Judge, hosted by the Northern Pyrenean Mountain Dog Club.

Mr Keith Nathan took the morning session on Conformation and Movement. He provided excellent handouts with detailed explanations on the conformation and points of the dog together with outline drawings of faults. His explanation of movement and how to assess the soundness of a dog was both interesting and educational and backed up by a video showing common faults. He demonstrated angulation on a very patient and lovely Pyrenean who allowed us all to feel his bone structure and stoically wore contrasting strips of electricians tape on his coat as a visual aid, (please see above). Whether or not you went on to take the “Hands on Assessment Examination, the seminar was outstanding and very informative to all who attended.

After lunch, Mrs Sue Hewart-Chambers continued the seminar with a talk on The Requirements of a Dog Show Judge which was interesting and informative. She explained the Code of Best Practice (as laid down by the Kennel Club) and the judge's responsibility to the exhibitor and to the breed they are judging. She covered how judges are invited to judge a show, what is expected of them when they are there and what is required or expected in the way of a critique after the show. It was a most enjoyable afternoon and we all felt that we understood the role of the judge far better. There was plenty of time for discussion and some of us went on to take the Kennel Club Examination.

Whether or not you wanted to take the KC examination or just attended the seminar, I would urge anyone with an interest in breeding or showing to look out for a seminar in an appropriate breed type. A greater understanding of how a judge may arrive at a decision and how to judge correctly is essential knowledge for any exhibitor. A list of forthcoming seminars is published in the Kennel Gazette or contact our Club Secretary who has a copy and will have details of ones coming up.