E.
Katie Gammill,
AKC Judge/Exhibition
Editor
TheDogPlace.org January 2012
Study those Grand
Champions! Not only is it an opportunity to once again view their mature
magnificence, it is the best way to consider them for stud.
What
better way to evaluate and incorporate those lost virtues? Too many dogs flew to
their Championship and were retired before their time. Thanks to Award of Merits
and Grand Champions, THEIR TIME IS NOW.
In those older dogs, you can often see the “overall symmetrical appearance” once
taken for granted, before breeders started “breeding pieces” (Ref #1)
instead of dogs. Before some judges ceased to take the entire dog into
consideration when judging. Before the breed became a victim of type change.
Simply put, “type change” is the concentration of an obvious fault that becomes
so common place, it appears as a virtue. Overwhelming the ring, the dog correct
to standard is so different, it can actually appear incorrect!
Slowly, changes
are surfacing and some breeds are improving. Are these “Award of Merit” dogs
making a difference? Many judges found the introduction of the Select Awards
somewhat confusing. After participating in the awarding of Select Dog and Bitch,
I believe it’s possible the value of such an award may well have a positive
effect on our sport.
As more of these
past Grand Champions enter my ring, I am impressed with their virtues and
lasting quality. Some muzzles may be gray, but those old ones are something to
behold. At times, more than one dog and bitch qualifies for recognition. The
bottom line is most of these dogs love getting back into that ring! I can see
it in their eyes and carriage. Too many finished in a whirlwind of excitement
only to be relegated to a kennel for breeding purposes only. Sadly, “out of
sight is out of mind” and few breeders used them.
We have such a
dog. Finishing quickly, he could have an impact on improving heads and
substance. Beautifully sound, he moves well, and is outstanding in breed type.
No doubt he could continue to win Awards Of Merit but he’s a dog that loves to
show and hits the end of the lead quickly, and we are unable to cope with his
show ring enthusiasm. Therefore, he is a truck dog and buddy, his genes lost to
a breed that needs improvement.
If anyone asks
about pedigree on an Award of Merit entry, breeder-owners can recite 5
generations off the top of their heads. It shows a sense of direction and
purpose. There is a reason why such breeders produce outstanding specimens time
and again. They didn’t participate in the fast pace of “breeding to win”. They
bred to the standard. Such dogs were not a “flash in the pan” that fell apart
when mature. They improved with age and their longevity and lasting quality
speaks for itself. They are truly GRAND Champions!
I love the old
ones. They are dear to me. In our kennel, around age five, we seek homes for our
Champions. They go to those owners who purchased our dogs over the years. Spayed
and neutered, they begin their life as retired pets. They are loved, cared for,
and enjoy their retirement.
Our purpose is to
keep something from such dogs to go on with. It isn’t fair to put a dog in a
kennel for life while the younger dogs take precedence over time and money. IF
the decision regarding breeding is to move forward, then moving these dogs into
a permanent retirement home is our responsibility and our final act of love.
Occasionally, one sticks here forever but by keeping small numbers, each dog
receives the love it desires.
Every dog
deserves a lap to sit on, a scratch behind the ears, and the privilege of lying
at its owner’s feet during its waning years.
Our dogs have a
final resting place by our pond. Some owners return their dogs for burial here.
Each has a stone of recognition. Dogs are family. This runs through my mind when
Grand Champion dogs enter my ring, flaunting their happiness and prime
condition. Go and talk to the proud breeders/exhibitors of such dogs. They have
a wealth of knowledge. Perhaps with luck, something can be introduced into your
current program to enhance virtues that have melted into the past due to the
race for that blue ribbon.
Grand Champions
offer an opportunity for correctness to be re-assembled and passed on to the
next generation. Trends fade away with the next big thing, and “big things”
make our breeds appear differently than initially intended. Give those older
Grand Champions a second look. You may not only harvest what you see
physically, but perhaps hidden in those genes lurks a “greatness” just waiting
to be released!
