“Is anyone at fault, or are we all at fault? In my opinion we are all at fault.... THEREFORE BREEDERS, EXHIBITORS, AND JUDGES
ALL HAVE AN EQUAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PRESERVATION IN OUR BREED.”
6. Temperament: Intelligent, play- ful, sweet and non-quarrelsome. Important Note: The 6 critical el- ements of breed type listed above are in judging order, not in order of importance. All should be given equal weight in judging, regardless of whether they are visible on the go around or only on the table. “Dog People” come in three main categories; breeders, exhibitors and judges. All three seem to have opin- ions about the ailments of the breed. Instead of playing the ‘Blame Game’ I believe, from my point of view as an experienced breeder and handler, that we each have a responsibility to ensure that we take an active role in correcting and preserving the breed that we love. Breeders; breed the best Havanese possible following the guidelines set in the breed standard. Exhibitors; present the best example of the breed keeping true to the prop- er grooming and handling procedures when presenting in the ring. Judges; award the best examples of the stan- dard in the ring, at times making difficult decisions. Breeders, exhibitors and judges work- ing together in tandem as partners is the solution to what ails our breed.
that the dog they awarded the points to was the best they had to work with. Back to the blame game; breeders and exhibitors are not showing the best examples of the breed. So what can we do as breeders, exhib- itors, or judges? Is anyone at fault, or are we all at fault? In my opinion we are all at fault. I like to compare this situation to an equilateral triangle; in geometry an equilateral triangle is a triangle in which all three sides are equal. Therefore breeders, ex- hibitors, and judges all have an equal responsibility in the preservation in our breed. Breeders need to stay true to the breed. Breeding the best possible Havanese according the ‘breed stan- dard.’ There will always be room (within reason) for interpretation of the standard. Exhibitors need to show the best example of the Havanese accord- ing to ‘the breed standard.’ Show the dog to its fullest extent, make it shine in the ring and limit groom- ing to meet the set guidelines of the Havanese standard. Judges need to award dogs that are the best examples of the breed type as they understand it, encourage new
breeders and exhibitors when pos- sible, and withhold ribbons if and when necessary. Havanese Judges’ Education has an excellent guide: Havanese Breed Type at a Glance. This guide outlines the six critical elements of the Ha- vanese Breed Type (ie: What makes a Havanese unique amongst toys?): 1. Topline: Straight, but not level, ris- ing slightly from thewithers to rump… the result of moderate angulation fore and aft combined with a typically short upper arm. 2. Outline: Slightly longer than tall, with head carried high and tail arched over back. 3. Gait: Springy, with moderate reach and drive, showing free reach and good extension. Not stilted, May show flash of pad coming and going. The topline holds under movement, neither flattening nor roaching. 4. Coat : Soft, silky, wavy and abun- dant. May be corded. 5. Expression: Broad backskull and large, dark almond eyes; correct ear set follows line of skull; full rectan- gular muzzle is slightly shorter than backskull. The expression is soft and intelligent, mischievous rather than cute.
T op N otch T oys , O ctober 2019 • 53
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