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YORKY CLUB MAGAZINE #6 -- November 2006

IN & OUT ... in Judges opinion

We thought it was interesting to know something more of Judges opinion about yorkie presentation, so we made this question to several international renown Judges. The number of replies is so high that exceeded the space available on this issue! We apologize if some Judges will not see their answer reported here: we thank them all for their prompt and precious cooperation. The second part will be published in the next issue (May 2007).

“I like handlers who are nice with their dogs and to their adversaries as well. Some are not very nice. I like handlers who move at a correct speed, not too slow and not too fast (like a sighthound). Free stacking is preferable.
I don`t like handlers who put a lot of strain on the leash and nearly strangle their dog (is unfair to the dog.)
To make it short... I like a perfect professional handler who is also a nice person!”
Martha Heine, Germany

"I believe the handler, whether a professional or owner-handler, should present his/her dog in peak condition and bring out the very best in the dog’s personality. The handler must always “showcase” the dog.
Ultimately, the handler can do a great deal to enhance the dog’s performance and presentation. In the final analysis, however, I judge a dog based on how closely it adheres to its breed standard as well as its showmanship."
Michael J. Feigelson, Alabama, USA

“In the Y.T. breed, there are several dogs that are not properly trained to walk at the lead in a natural way. The handler has to pull on the lead in order to make the dog raise its head, and this results into a very ugly and unnatural movement.
Neither do I like it when the handler brushes the dog’s coat all time, forgetting about keeping its dog in a correct position, in a way that shows its structure clearly. I check the coat when I do the individual judgement, and I don’t need every single hair to stay fixed in the right position during all the time the dog spends in the ring: I like it much more the natural way. What I like the most is a handler that shows a well trained dog, carefully following the judgement routine, paying attention to judge’s requests and moving the dog at a natural speed, neither too fast nor too slow. I also appreciate a good sportsmanship, whether winning or loosing, that creates a good feeling in the ring. This sport is meant to make friends and have fun.”
Carlos Salas, Spain

“What I like best is when a handler shows a very clean, well presented dog. I also like it when a dog is well-trained and used to being handled on the table. Furthermore, I like it when the handlers are observant and notice the way I want them to show and move their dogs.
I do not like dogs that are full of artificial coat ingredients and I do not like it when the handlers are trying to influence me by looks, expressions, sighs and general behaviour. I also hate it when the dogs are not groomed properly and when they are not used to being handled on the table or when the handlers are busier with their friends in or out of the ring rather than concentrating on their dogs and the way the judge wants them to show the dogs!
Generally speaking, I think Yorkie exhibitors are very pleasant in the ring and I very rarely have any reason to get annoyed in the ring!!”
Dan Ericsson, Sweden

“I do not like when the handler has no respect for the dog and treat it like a subject. Like putting them on the table by leash and tail!! Or bring it around the ring so high lifted the front feet hardly touching the floor! I do not like it when a handler is very selfish in the ring and does not have a polite attitude to the other ringmembers, stack the dogs in front of other dogs etc. I also do not like when handlers tell the judge how many good results dogs has gained before that day.
What I like is, to see a good team between handler and dog, even when shown for the first time (handler or dog) there must be connection between the two and the dog must show pleasure and enthousiasme. If or when the handler is still a bit nervous it is the judge who should comfort the new commer a bit. We all have been there and can use a bit of support!”
Henny v.d. Berg, Holland

”I am quite comfortable with the traditional way that YT are shown in the UK. Exhibits moved on a loose lead with the ability to then free stand with confidence and composure is a definate plus for me. It is vital that a dogs health and wellfare is not jeopardized in the quest for length of coat and falls. Prizes should be awarded for the exhibits closest to the breed standard, not the best presented and handled, but it is great when it is both!!! The best handlers for me, are those who are not noticed.”
Ellis Hulme, U.K.

“As a judge of many breeds there are two things that irritate me more than any in the Yorkie ring. Firstly I hate to see the level of sophistication that is put into some topknots, often to disguise poor ear placement and carriage. Some times these are tied up in such a complicated way that is impossible for the ears to move! When - as a judge - you encounter such rigid structuring of the ears the logical conclusion is that this is disguising poor set and carriage.
Secondly I get furious when Yorkie handlers lift their dogs off their boxes, holding just the leash under the neck and the tail, so that the poor dog is “hanging”. This may be only for a brief space of time but it still represents great cruelty and inconsideration. It is commonplace in many terrier breeds, but it really upsets me.
Overall however I must say that the general level of presentation in Yorkies - particularly in Europe - is second to none and most of the dogs I have judged in the breed have been beautifully presented, with gleaming coats and sparkling teeth, and the cleverest handlers are those who move their dogs at the correct speed for their size, not racing around the ring at a speed more suited to a sighthound!”
Andrew H. Brace, U.K.

“First of all, what I expect in the ring, both from a professional handler and from a breeder or owner is a correct and polite behaviour. Sportmanship and politeness come before everything else; then for sure comes the presentation of the dog, which implies that the handler has to concentrate on his task and keep double-checking the dog, without showing off for himself (I’m obviously more tolerant when this happens with non professionals). I really value a nice fair play towards the other concurrents and the judge: I cannot tolerate people who swear out loud (when they loose... but there always has to be a looser!), who don’t congratulate the winners, who present a dog in bad conditions, dirty, badly groomed.”
Valerio Nataletti, Italy

“I like it when the handler pays attention to having the dog well positioned and quiet, and, while gaiting, he takes care that the dog holds a straight top line. There are handlers who, whilst having a good dog, don’t show him properly: when they are lined up, instead of letting the dog’s structure show clearly, they keep on moving their dog.
Even though in my opinion the structure of the dog comes first and the movement comes second, I penalize a dog for a bad handling, that is, I don’t judge positively dogs that look good in static, but are badly handled in movement.”
Roger Barenne, France