judging dogs?

Question

Can any dog show judges out there tell me if allowances are made in puppy classes. We go to ringcraft classes and are getting our pup as well trained as we can,but I wondered if allowances were made for any slight discrepances. Also does any one know if it is a fault if a b/collies ears do not both lay the same?

Answer 1

Huggywell's remarks about the ears are valid.

As for allowances...every judge is different. But most who volunteer to judge puppy class competitions are those who have tolerance for youth, and some allowance is made.

They would not, however, tolerate a wilfully disobedient dog of any age.

Answer 2

There are usually allowances made for puppies, up to a certain age and to a certain point. Have a look at other pups you're in with, are they all well behaved? Remember it is the 'best dog of the day' that wins. So, if the pup beside you is behaving well and is conformation correct, they'll take the ribbon. Also, if your pup is perfectly behaved but has a fault, the other pup will still take it. I'm not familiar with ringcraft classes?? here we have conformation classes, I'm thinking it's the same? You can get a 'standard' for your breed, this will point out all the points good and bad that judges look for in conformation. You can get one from your breed club, or a breeder may forward you a copy.
It takes time so be sure and have fun along the way. Our dogs always loved to show off. We were only mildly perturbed when we lost because the dog, oh, left the ring to sit in the shade of the ring curtain and I didn't notice right away.

Answer 3

First, if you are going to show your dog you should know your standard. It will take some experience and study to be able to interpret a standard and recognise correct breed type, but the basics are pretty much there in black and white. AKC produces an excellent series of videos on the breed standards that should help you to visualize what is correct for your breed.

Secondly, judges are individuals, and as such have preferences. Some will forgive puppy antics in the ring, some won't. Some won't use even a well behaved puppy at all, some will reward puppies with points. The best will evaluate and put up the best dog, regardless of age. I have put puppy points on most of my dogs, and have finished some as puppies. It depends a great deal on the maturity of your dog. One of my puppies competed and finished from the open class with breed wins over specials and group placements! Others were slow to mature and didn't even begin to win until much later!

Answer 4

Even puppies with wrong ears according to the standard can win, as long as they are still growing. Ears can be hard to judge in puppy classes! Everything is hard to judge in a puppy class!! That ugly duckling could be BOB at Westminster next year! I've had a couple like that! Judges also take into consideration puppy behavior. Honestly, most judges would rather see a puppy acting like a puppy, than the robots that sometimes get in the ring.

My first time in the ring was with my English Mastiff puppy. He was gaingly, HUGE head, and looked more like a Dane than a mastiff(I entered him because we BOTH need the experience!). To make matters worse, he acted like he was on speed, tried to sniff everything, and wanted to play with the pup who won. When the judge did his exam, Gus slobbered him really good. He fell while gating because he was looking at the spectators. Needless to say, I left the ring thinking that I would NEVER do it again. Then the judge talked to me a bit. He mentioned my dogs sire by name, and said that is exactly what he had acted like at that age! Turns out, that judge(who does several shows a year in our area) was the one who awarded the finishing points on my dogs sire. He loved my pup, but Gus just wasn't the best that day(not even close). I finished him at 2 years, beating the pup that won at our first show!

Answer 5

As a judge I would prefer to see a puppy enjoying itself as opposed to a robotic dummy.
They should still know the basics but yes I would forgive a puppy.

The ears will be down to personal choice,but a good judge should know that young pups are teething and this upsets the lay of the ear.

Good luck and above all enjoy it,you take home the best dog.

Answer 6

OF COURSE IN-CORRECT ears are a FAULT!!!
DUH!
EVERY departure from the BREED STANDARD is a FAULT!!! Some are certainly less important than others.A wonky ear will be concidered less of a problem than being "hocky" for example.

Yes,judges can tell a pup from an adult!!! LOL!!! Sure HOPE so!!! And will take that into account....but a good ADULT will ALWAYS go up over a pup!
Have ***FUN***,OK? When you're in the ring,remember to ....BREATHE!!!! LMAO!

Answer 7

Every dog entered at an AKC show is judged against it's breed standard. Every dog's (in the show ring) owner has paid an entry fee for that particular judge's knowledge of the breed to judge their dog. The judge (of true merit)awards placings to the dogs that are good representatives of its breed after his "uninfluenced " opinion on the dog on that day. Not all judges are worth their merit. The key here is the breed standard written for your Border Collie and how well your dog represents that standard. Read the standard . Judges of merit will stick to it no matter who is in the ring! All dog handlers know the standard also. If your pup is in a "stagey" growth period, don't enter him in the show until he grows out of it. Find a good handler who will be true to YOU and your dog.

Answer 8

"Ears are of medium size, set well apart, one or both carried erect and/or semi-erect (varying from 1/4 to 3/4 of the ear erect). "

The above is a direct quote from the breed standard.
I cant help you with allowances on the puppy class, not my field of expertese.

Answer 9

Maybe some of these will help. Good luck with your pup.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=border+collie+dog+show+requirements&fr=ush-ans