How I Judge The Dachshund by Dee Hutchinson
Download this page in PDF formatI bring the whole class into the ring and have the handlers set them up so that I can see the class as a whole unit. This is the time that I look for my type and whether I am pleased with the entrants as a whole or just a few individual dogs.
If the ring is large enough, I then take the whole class around and generally look at the overall movement. If I find one that I believe to be lame, then I go directly to that one and ask the handler to move it individually. If the entry is lame, then, of course, I excuse it. I now have a general idea of the quality of my class. Nevertheless, after I observe my class as a whole and before I continue with the procedure I follow in the ring, I would like to help explain how one comes to an understanding of “type”.
To be sure, it is a very individualized process. First, all judges must, regardless of their “instincts”, know the standard. It presents you with a correct picture, both in type and what the Dachshund looks like. Familiarizing yourself with the standard is important because it clears the judge’s perspective of any biases he/she may carry over from his and her knowledge of other breeds. Secondly, as to the actual determination of the individual’s preferred type, the judge must spend time studying the breed as a whole. He must observe them at the shows and he must study the various breed magazines with, as I said before, a sound knowledge of what the standard calls for. Slowly but surely, he will arrive at an understanding of what he/she likes as far as “type” is concerned. As long as a judge is honest with himself, he will be able to conscientiously maintain an individual taste for a particular type that is, finally, in accordance with the standard.
Now, for my ring procedure: I put the first dog on the table. I always view the Dachshund from the side. this gives me the overall view. I believe this to be very important. I next go to the head and check the overall expression and bite. I also check the front feet and forechest. I now go to the side of the Dachshund and check shoulders, keel and topline. Please, never stand in front and go over the animal. Most of the Dachshunds will automatically back off or pull back when being examined from the front. By going to the side, they will stay in the posed position. Then go to the back and go over the rear end. After that, I find that I will go back over the dog and check the head and expression again. During this time. I am reviewing the whole animal in my mind. Then I send the dog down and back and around to the end of the line.
After I have judged the whole class, I ask to have the dogs set up again so that I can review it. I am now looking for my personal overall type and picture. I take six or seven of my type and as them to go to the head of the line. These will be the ones that I want to work with. I then go over my other entrants and make sure I haven’t missed anyone, then I excuse them.
I now have six or seven Dachshunds that I want to place. I ask each to go around, one at a time. I am now looking for the overall type and for the best movement. After I have done this, I am ready to place my class. I put the entrants in the places that I want and ask them to go around again. I place my class at this time.
At this time, I would like to give some tips on judging the Dachshund. I do not believe in going down on them when they are on the ground, especially the miniature variety. Never, but never, go up to them from behind. If one must check something from the ground, please go to the front of the animal. If you want to check the miniature again, ask the handler to put it back on the table. You will not lose any time. The Dachshund is a Table Breed and they are trained to be judged and touched on the table. If you want to check temperament, then check that when they return to you in the individual gait, they will usually come up to you and stand or they may just turn their head away, not paying any attention. To be honest, one can tell temperament on the table.
Dachshunds are a hard breed to judge, but, if you understand the standard and what they are bred for, they are a fun breed to judge.
Submitted along with many photos by Nancy Prouty.
[…] http://www.dachshundhistoryonline.com/breeding/education/how-i-judge-the-dachshund/ […]