judging lurchers

[ryno 11]

i was recently asked to judge a lurcher show which i did but the dog i chose was by far in the best condition and a complete show stopper ,the problem for me is that i know from the owner that the dog has never seen a days work and it goes against the grain abit was i right to pick it or should i have picked a worker?what do you think?

[romany52 313]

You were right , you can't judge working ability in a show ring, your looking for good conformation and condition. It's a beauty contest, nothing more.

[x38 179]

You were right , you can't judge working ability in a show ring, your looking for good conformation and condition. It's a beauty contest, nothing more.

spot on :thumbs:

[CarraghsGem 92]

off the top of my head, what i would expect a judge to be looking for in a dog

 

health, comformation, fitness, condition are the most important things, fit for purpose is also a key consideration

many other areas that need to be considered but this article covers the very basics;

off an akc website

 

 

Criteria Used for Judging Show Dogs

Sean Murphy/Getty Images

Dog show judge examining Dachshund's teethIn a dog conformation show, judges aren't merely comparing the dogs to each other. Rather, they judge each dog against the parameters of the idealized version of its breed. In other words, when the judge looks at your poodle, Fluffy, he is comparing Fluffy to the written standards of the ideal poodle. The standards address various body parts and attributes, including:

 

• Balance: overall appropriate proportions in size
• Weight
• Size
• Eyes: color, size, shape
• Ears: shape, length, position
• Head: shape
• Muzzle: shape, length
• Whiskers: thickness
• Teeth: kind of bite (e.g. level or scissors bites)
• Tail: how it arches and sets (e.g. how high or low)
• Shoulders: bone, muscle
• Legs: muscles, stance, proportionality
• Coat: texture, length
• Color: accepted breed colors

A judge will use his hands to inspect the dog's body, including its bones and muscles. In addition to assessing physical characteristics like these, judges assess the dog's walk (gait) and attitude. For instance, criteria might require that the dog's attitude be cheerful, as for the beagle, or proud, as for the poodle. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has assembled these criteria for each of their recognized breeds. It gathers this information from the clubs and organizations that specialize in those breeds. The dog that the judges think matches its breed's criteria the best wins the competition.

 

 

 

[lurchermania 25]

crackin mate you done what was right in the show ring

[boyo 1,398]

you should always pick what you think is best lurcher on the day for looks condition conformation and presence and should be looking at a blank canvass anything you know about the lurcher work or otherwise should never come in to your thoughts when picking your winner on the day .

[Skinny 29]

if there was a class for lurchers that was aimed at purpose bred show and race lurchers I think it would reflect the changing definition of what a working lurcher is and give the judges the means to place a dog that is not hunted with out a moral dilemma.

[whin 463]

i would alway pick the capable dog strong feet good kneck chest and good back show dogs have neither the stong feet and build a good working dog man knows what agood running dog has balance juicy pads etc

[ryno 11]

thanks to you all i am glad you agreed i did the right thing its beauty contest!

[shushycatcher 219]

just have the old saying in your head when judging,'head like a snake,neck like a drake,back like a beam,side like a bream,foot like a cat and tail like a rat',a couple of allowances as thy are lurchers and not pure bred greyhounds,and i dont think you can go far wrong! atb shushy

[pagan 0]

i was recently asked to judge a lurcher show which i did but the dog i chose was by far in the best condition and a complete show stopper ,the problem for me is that i know from the owner that the dog has never seen a days work and it goes against the grain abit was i right to pick it or should i have picked a worker?what do you think?

I think you did the right thing, however, what gets a lot of peoples backs up is when there is a class specifically for working dogs and then the non working dogs are entered. This then puts the judge in a dilema as he/ she is not to know whether they are actual workers or not. I personnally would never enter my dogs into a "Worker Class" unless of course you class getting on and off of the sofa work

[shushycatcher 219]

it must be a really hard decision to make a choice between worker and so called non worker if you know about the dog.If there was a working class and the winner of that class won the best in show then others couldnt winge because it is in the line up with all the other class winners.I got reserve champ with my bitch at one show and when the judge was asked by a third party what swayed the decision,he said my bitch had a scar on her nose,and thats why i was reserve! So worker or non worker its up to you to pick the dog you think is best.Or prettiest.

[Flynn 314]

Yes it nothing more then a beauty contest as you cannot PROVE the lurcher works and you will be nobodys friend bar the winner, My Gripe is, Strung Up Necks and stacking,Lurcher dont have their heads and bodys like this when working so why showing? , we are not in the KC so i do no see the need for it!!

when i have judged i did not allow it, one lady who i have seem win MANY SHOWS, said her Lurcher could not move unless it was stung up ........... i dont think i was her biggest Fan or her Mine

Personally i like to also see a lurcher on the move in a triangle and then the usual feel over........

and the bred for purpose comes in at that point..........

You be amazed how many cant do a triangle the owners that is

[ryno 11]

just have the old saying in your head when judging,'head like a snake,neck like a drake,back like a beam,side like a bream,foot like a cat and tail like a rat',a couple of allowances as thy are lurchers and not pure bred greyhounds,and i dont think you can go far wrong! atb shushy

this is the exact poem my dad recited to me 2 mins before the first class,and although i got a bit of stick from working owners i did what i thought was right after all its just the judges opinion the dog i chose was the best on the day worker or not

[kenny14 656]

just have the old saying in your head when judging,'head like a snake,neck like a drake,back like a beam,side like a bream,foot like a cat and tail like a rat',a couple of allowances as thy are lurchers and not pure bred greyhounds,and i dont think you can go far wrong! atb shushy

this is the exact poem my dad recited to me 2 mins before the first class,and although i got a bit of stick from working owners i did what i thought was right after all its just the judges opinion the dog i chose was the best on the day worker or not

I think you did the right thing, as judge you chose the dog which on the day looked as though it could do the job.