Why there are no Liver Nose Rhodesian Ridgebacks competing at the AKC Championships?

Question

They are more handsome and impressive than the black masks!

Answer 1

There are champion titled liver mask/liver nose dogs at the below link.
http://www.kushinda-ridgebacks.org/studdogs.html

Its possible that there just haven't been many liver nosed dogs shown in conformation, or it may be possible that judges prefer the black masked dogs. Breeders show what judges put up for the wins. Judges do usually have personal (and political) preferences that affect what dogs they give the points to. For instance, while in German Shepherd Dogs, the sable (agouti pattern actually, sable is a term that doesn't actually fit the color pattern), saddle pattern black and tan/black and red, bicolor (very dark black and tan/red) and solid black are all equally acceptable colors. However, judges and breeders widely favor the saddle pattern black and tan/red and a dog of this color and pattern usually has a much easier time in conformation competition than a sable, bicolor, or solid black dog of equal quality.

Talking to people who have finished liver nosed dogs or have taken points with liver nosed dogs, may be very informative. Ask them what judges are willing to put up a liver nosed dog or if there are judge prejudices against the color and why.

There must be some sort of prejudice against the liver nose among people who show Ridgebacks in conformation, since some breeders advertise "no liver nose" in their ads.

The wiki on the breed also offers clues to prejudice against the liver nose. Below is the link to the Wiki on the breed and excerpts from the article regarding the liver nose.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesian_Ridgeback

The liver nose is becoming more common for its importance in keeping the golden lionlike colour in the coat [recessive gene]] and is therefore not as common as a black nose. The livernose has been in the past poorly represented in the ring and was extensivly bred out at one time, untill its importance was recognised in the breed.

The original standard allowed for a variety of coat colors, including brindle and sable. Today, all shades of wheaten are permitted. While the deeper red were often favored by judges in the past, it seems now a gross section of colours and it is only time before there is another livernose champion announced, the lighter wheaten is now sought after too


While the standard uses the term "liver nose" AKC registration statistics on the same page, shows the usage of the term "brn nose:"

Official AKC breed standard
http://www.akc.org/breeds/rhodesian_ridgeback/index.cfm

The standard shows clearly that the liver nose is acceptable.

Excerpt from the Breed Standard-Head
Nose--should be black, brown or liver, in keeping with the color of the dog. No other colored nose is permissible. A black nose should be accompanied by dark eyes, a brown or liver nose with amber eyes. .

Answer 2

Liver Nosed Rhodesian Ridgeback

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why there are no Liver Nose Rhodesian Ridgebacks competing at the AKC Championships?
They are more handsome and impressive than the black masks!

Answer 4

I checked into this online and found at least one show where several of the big winners were not the black mask type. Look here: http://www.rrcus.org/assets/html/specialties/Specialty73/index_results.htm

Answer 5

I don't know where you are, but I see more brown and liver noses than I do black masked.

Answer 6

DUH???

Cuz they're UGLY???