There is a standard set out for each breed of purebred dog and the Dog Show Judge is looking for the dog in his ring at THIS show that comes closest to conforming to the standard for that breed.
There is a Book of Standards and a judge may refer to it at any time to refresh his memory of a certain breed. Often it may been seen on the table in the ring. This is particularly handy for a judge at an International Show where there may be a few breeds he may have not seen very often.
In addition to the actual standard for that breed, a judge is looking to see how the dog is gaiting (that he is not limping, for instance), and he will notice how comfortable each dog is while he is being presented. (A fine dog can have an off day, just like people.)
It is good for the handler of the dog to pay attention to what the judge asks him to do. In other words, if the judge requests a straight down and back and the handler takes him in a triangle formation, that is not so good.
No matter what breeds the judge himself has owned, he should be looking for the dog in his ring that conforms closest to the standard for his own breed. He is also noticing how happy that dog is to be in the ring and taking a look at his personality.
A lot of times a person who has not been to a lot of dog shows will think that a dog that looked a lot like his own dog at home should have won. Well, there might have been something the judge noticed when he went over the dog that you would not know about. Perhaps there was not enough body under all that coat. Perhaps the dog was a little large (or small) when compared to the standard.
Judging dogs has nothing - (or should not have) to do with whether that judge would himself care to own that breed.
In fact, people pick certain breeds to fit their personalities and their surroundings. Our past experiences with certain breeds tends to bring us back to them.
The picture above is from a Whippet Specialty, which means all the dogs were Whippets. A Whippet is a dog that makes a great family pet but he is a lot like a Greyhound. He likes to run and probably should have a large yard, but I have been told many times that the Whippet is a super family pet who enjoys sitting beside his master on the sofa.
We thought seriously about this breed - and I would have been thinner a long time ago had I chosen them instead of the Shih Tzu I owned, bred and showed for 25 years. Yes, it would have been more hectic keeping up with them!
When considering a breed yourself, do go to the websites for the American Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club. By the way, if a dog being purebred with papers is not an important consideration for you, take a look at your local animal shelter or humane society. Many dogs there are purebred but everyone of them needs a home.
www.akc.org
www.ckc.org.
