KENNEL NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 November 1940, Page 3

KENNEL NOTES

JUDGE’S QUALIFICATIONS. METHODS OF SHOWING A DOG. A competent judge must have a •‘natural eye for a dog” in addition to a knowledge of essential physical qualifications stipulated. Dogs may possess a desirable conformation and appearance, but fail to get approval of the judge because of faulty temperament or inefficient handling. Practice is necessary for both the dog and handler. Those dogs that go cleverly through their paces and pose so that the. judge sees them to the best advantage have been trained by a patient owner to move without pulling and to stand quietly in desired attiudes. Handling and pre-show preparation have much to do with the success of an exhibit. Soundness is one of the first things for which the clog is tested. The judge will want to ascertain if the forelegs are straight and well placed at the elbows, if the hind legs are parallel and bent neither in nor out. The judge's task is more difficult and the dog’s chances of success are smaller if it pulls itself awry by struggling and straining on the lead as it is moving.

Different methods are needed in showing various breeds of dogs. A Pomeranian may’ look at its best with the head thrown back, meeting the plume. A sporting terrier should be up on its toes, smart, alert. and full of fire and dash but not too boisterous or aggressive. Some breeds including greyhounds and Alsatians require to stand over a lot of ground, and should pose with the hind legs well extended. The experienced judge will study dogs as they enter the ring for the first time. By doing so he may observe some fault which the handler will perhaps later endeavour to hide. He may regard one of the incoming dogs as an outstandingly good specimen. However. he will not make any definite decision on any of the exhibits until he has had the opportunity of examining them closely. An early mental decision is often reversed when the judge comes to overhaul the dog. Faults and weaknesses are not always evident to ringsiders, some of whom may disagree with the judge's decision merely because from the distance they cannot see a faulty mouth, weak bone formation or other faults detected by the judge. Dogs are judged according to their uses and requirements. One of the first qualifications of a working dog is the possession of sound feet and legs. A good mouth is essential in all sporting breeds. In toy dogs or other nonsporting breeds irregular teeth formation is not regarded so seriously as in breeds which are expected to retrieve game or to fight for it. It is interesting to note the placement and shape of the ears of the various breeds. It will be noticed that the manner in which the ears are set on has much to do with the dog’s expression. The ears jf some breeds droop, others are erect, others again are V-shaped. Ears appear in many attitudes and help or mar the dog's expression for which points arc allowed or deducted. A faulty temperament may cause an otherwise good dog to lose the prize. A nervous bulldog or Alsatian is a pitiable sight. Many points are lost by dogs that refuse to show themselves because of a timid disposition or an over-aggressive manner in. the ring, particularly is this so if the offending dog is a member of a breed noted for its courage. Straight front legs are an essential quality in almost till breeds. Coat, although it is the first thing about the dog to meet the eye. is not as important as the animal’s physical development. All dogs should have a healthy skin, good supple muscles, deep brisket io allow good breathing and to be in good condition generally. Deafness in Dogs. Deafness is often found in white dogs when it is generally congenital and Incurable. It is also a frequent occurrence in dogs, especially old ones, as the result of an accumulation of wax in the ears. This condition may be cured by pouring a few drops of glycerine into the ears night and morning for a couple of days and then syringing them thoroughly with a solution prepared by dissolving a piece of soda the size of a walnut in half a pint of warm water. The treatment may be repeated a second time if necessary.