• I know what the breed standards are, but how many B's are we seeing now that are within the standards are being judged so?? I'm curious, because you see so many different types and styles. Does anyone else find the judges, a lot of the times, pick because of the faces they see? Or the colour? Or really don't know the breed standards? Is it as political in the US as here in Canada??


  • One reason for the differences in style and type is interpretation of the standard. Not everyone interprets it the same way. Also not everyone places the same importance to every trait defined in the standard. So I think it is normal to see variation in style and type, especially in a breed like basenji that is not man-made.

    As for judging, I think there are a wide variety of judges. They each have their interpretation of the standard and their own perferences when it comes to what emphasis they place on traits. There are some that seem more conerned with the wrong end of the leash, there are others that show a clear dislike for the breed, and there are others that give each competitor their time in the ring. I do not know what the politics are like in Canada but yes, there is politics involved in showing in the US as I am sure there are politics to showing worldwide.

    When you are showing the only thing you can do is to keep track of who you show to and what you think of them. There are many judges that I have not won under that I would definately show to again because I felt the did an honest job and gave everyone their time. There are others that I have won under that I wouldn't spend a dime on because they were rude and obviously disliked the breed. There are judges that wouldn't even watch my dog as they moved, why bother asking me to move them if you are going to have your back turned as you talk to your steward about your lunch arrangements? But the only thing I can do is take note of who they are and not give them my money next time.


  • @nomrbddgs:

    I know what the breed standards are, but how many B's are we seeing now that are within the standards are being judged so?? I'm curious, because you see so many different types and styles.

    People interpret breed standards differently from one another and what one breeder or judge feels is correct, another breeder or judge may feel it is not. This creates variety within each breed.

    Does anyone else find the judges, a lot of the times, pick because of the faces they see? Or the colour? Or really don't know the breed standards? Is it as political in the US as here in Canada??

    Sometimes the professional handler has presented their dog far better than the non-pro and this contributes heavily on wins. For many people though it is easier to cry "politics" than to accept the fact that the dog who won was the better animal and/or better presented. And yes I have witnessed judges who appear to be "clueless" about the breed standard but luckily they are in the minority.


  • @nomrbddgs:

    I know what the breed standards are, but how many B's are we seeing now that are within the standards are being judged so?? I'm curious, because you see so many different types and styles. Does anyone else find the judges, a lot of the times, pick because of the faces they see? Or the colour? Or really don't know the breed standards? Is it as political in the US as here in Canada??

    I think that many are within the standards… like with everything there is chocolate and vanilla... and there are differences because each dog is different and people breed for different things... obviously each breeder has their "hot" points.

    I don't fing the judging all that political, yes of course there are times, that they pick the end of the lead and not the dog, but more times then not that is in BOB not the classes so much. And judges like breeders have "hot" points, things they weigh heavier then others...


  • I must say we had one judge that we KNEW without a doubt did not even know what to look for. Out of 7 B's, all the Red's placed. While I admit there were 2 that should have placed, definitely, there were 2 that were definitely picked b/c the judge didn't know what to look for. He didn't look at the dogs at all in the ring and wouldn't touch them on the stand. I kind of enjoy showing to SA judges b/c they don't seem to know the faces on the end of the lead and will look at the dogs.

    My personal thought is a lot of the dogs now seem to be oversized. But I seem to recall a few years ago everyone in the ring had big feet. Do these things seem to cycle??


  • I think things/types go in cycles…. we have seen it in California... for a while all the males and bitches were to the larger side... now they seem to be to the smaller side.... However, seems I always had the "odd" man out... ggggg


  • From a bystander's view in these events, IMO

    I think to some judges, who is showing the dog is a definate factor.

    R/W seems to be the favorite color.

    I'm not sure the best dog always wins.


  • @Basenji_Boy:

    From a bystander's view in these events, IMO

    I think to some judges, who is showing the dog is a definate factor.

    R/W seems to be the favorite color.

    I'm not sure the best dog always wins.

    I think we can all say that…. I don't disagree with you at all... however, I believe it all comes out in the wash....


  • @tanza:

    I think we can all say that…. I don't disagree with you at all... however, I believe it all comes out in the wash....

    I used to think that it didn't, but the more I watch I do think it does all come out in the wash, which is good. If it didn't there would be a lot of people just give up.


  • @Basenji_Boy:

    I used to think that it didn't, but the more I watch I do think it does all come out in the wash, which is good. If it didn't there would be a lot of people just give up.

    Exactly…..


  • I agree with everything that Pat, Lisa and Robyn have said in this thread (oh, and you too BBoy!).

    For the most part, I think it is fair competition at least at the Winners Level..and to some extent the BOB level.

    Where it gets frustrating is when you have someone in your area that consistantly has very nice dogs AND is well known by the judges…feels like you can't win then unless you have a stupendously great dog.

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