Tickle!

[Sue-Ram]

Of the links I posted above, only one of the judges is American, which is one of the neat aspects of Potomac. It is interesting to see our dogs through the eyes of people in the breed outside the US. Of course, Potomac draws entries from all over the world, but as an American exhibitor seeing mostly American-bred dogs, I like reading what judges from other areas of the world think.

The coat and otter tail comment stood out. Why would they deviate from the breed standard?

[JenC]

I can pretty much guess why Tickle beat the other girl in her class. Tickle was born knowing how to stack. The other girl was a little unruly. Tickle is perfect in the ring. Now she just needs to be the right look for the judge.

[Shelley]

The coat and otter tail comment stood out. Why would they deviate from the breed standard?

I don't feel that most breeders deliberately or intensionally deviate from the standard. I assume you are referencing this part of the critique?

"Beautiful feminine heads were in abundance with little sign of coarse skulls or short muzzles.The bitches I judged had some of the best coats and otter tails I have seen anywhere in theworld and the US breeders are to be congratulated on retaining these two very importantbreed features. However, some were far too over-coated which gave the impression of a‘longer coat’ – these coats tended to be more open which will do the dog no good whenswimming. These longer coated dogs quite often presented tails which were not tightlyclothed all round, but instead again were ‘open’ giving a brush like appearance. In thesecases, more is definitely not better !"

The Labrador head, coat and tail are hallmarks of the breed, any of those traits are missing, or lacking, or "too much" and it is outside the standard. The tail should be well clothed, but wrapped tightly, not like a bottle brush, and while most coats are double and correct, if there is a little too much length, or too heavy of a coat, it can become "open" and no longer waterproof. We have to remember that there is no "perfect" dog, and that as a breeder you have to strive for better than the parents in the next generation. It's not that these dogs aren't beautiful, or are they completely out of standard, its just the splitting hairs that judges need to do to find their winners.

[Sue-Ram]

Shelley, I was referring to dogs bred outside of the US. I got the impression from the comment that the coat and tail is not being retained and therefore changing the breed.

[dxboon]

Shelley, I was referring to dogs bred outside of the US. I got the impression from the comment that the coat and tail is not being retained and therefore changing the breed.

I don't think there is a deliberate non-adherence to the standard, but just that the different predominant lines in different areas of the world are producing certain characteristics in their respective populations. Our lines are being exported to Europe and elsewhere to improve (as determined by those individual breeders) certain things in their dogs, and other dogs' bloodlines that are more prevalent overseas are being bred in to programs domestically for other reasons. I don't think the judge's comment was meant as an admonishment to breeders where she is from (Europe), as much as a congratulatory note to American breeders for the work they are doing in their programs. Even in the US, you will find a range of looks (including undesirable open coats and bottle brush tails).

[Shelley]

Oh, I read that just as commentary on the high quality of Labradors in the USA, and was complimentary, not disparaging breeders in other countries. Just that we have done a better job on retaining good coats and tails which we have been criticized for from foreign breeders in the past.

Most judges have bugaboos, or one thing that bothers them the most, whether lacking in their own kennels, or something they are most proud of. Once you have had bad feet or a soft top line, (etc...) it tends to be what you look for and analyze first when judging. Perhaps she has had issue with our coats and tails in the past, (I know she has), so she is just saying that she (generally) likes the current state of our coat and tails and pretty bitch heads. :-)

[dxboon]

Oh, I read that just as commentary on the high quality of Labradors in the USA, and was complimentary, not disparaging breeders in other countries. Just that we have done a better job on retaining good coats and tails which we have been criticized for from foreign breeders in the past.

Most judges have bugaboos, or one thing that bothers them the most, whether lacking in their own kennels, or something they are most proud of. Once you have had bad feet or a soft top line, (etc...) it tends to be what you look for and analyze first when judging. Perhaps she has had issue with our coats and tails in the past, (I know she has), so she is just saying that she (generally) likes the current state of our coat and tails and pretty bitch heads. :-)

Jinx on your thoughts! :-) I love me a pretty bitch head -- like Jen's miss Tickle! :-)

[Shelley]

Jinx back at you!

I too like bitches with feminine, (not coarse and overdone) heads that ooze that sweetness. Tickle is one of those, she has a very sweet expression, so typical of a well bred Labrador bitch.

[Sue-Ram]

OK, Thanks.

[dxboon]

Jen -- bring Tickle to Nationals so I can give her a big kiss!!!