Page 43 - The Labrador Retriever
P. 43
“THE LABRADOR’S BODY SHOULD BE COMPACT, WITH GOOD SPRING OF RIBS, STRONG BONE, A MODERATELY WIDE CHEST, AND A WELL, BUT NOT OVERLY ANGLED FRONT AND REAR.”
The details of the Standard describe a dog that can work effectively in the harshest conditions. The Labrador’s head is ideal for the dog’s function—from the wide, well-developed nostrils needed to scent fallen game; to the powerful muzzle essential to carrying heavy water fowl; to the ears that fit close to the head to keep out water and debris. The clean- cut, chiseled head is strong, but without exaggeration. The medium-sized dark eyes reflect intelligence and good temper, with a kind and approachable expression. Those judging the Labrador should never tolerate any indications of shyness or bad temperament.
The Labrador’s body should be compact, with good spring of ribs, strong bone, a moderately wide chest, and a well, but not overly angled front and rear. The dog is clothed all round with a hard outer coat and soft undercoat that virtually sheds water. Indeed, the Labrador’s coat and unique “otter tail” are two of the breed’s “distinctive features.” The Labrador’s coat may be the bane of many households where the breed’s heavy shedding is one of its few detractions. However, the coat is an essential element in the dog’s ability to perform its function, and should be an important consideration when judging the breed.
While ‘fault judging’ can be the refuge of those who do not know the breed, judges should be aware that current areas of concern for breeders are poor front assemblies, weak toplines, rounded croups and low set tails, too short legs, and faulty movement. These problems should be kept in mind when judging the Labrador.
Many Labrador breeders are frustrated by judges’ lack of knowledge about the breed, by the trend in Group judging to put up ‘hair’ and ‘flash’, and by the Labradors’ lack of placement in Groups. The Labrador is the workingman of the Sporting Group. He lacks the glamorous flowing coat of some breeds, and the flare and showmanship of others. His coordinated movement is typical of a breed whose work involves swimming and short bursts of speed rather than running over long distances. It lacks the tremendous reach and drive common to some breeds in the Group. However, any knowledgeable judge of the Labrador will focuses on the breed’s function, on what it is designed to do, not on what it should possess to be a successful generic show dog. Exhibitors have the right to expect that judges know the standard for the breed and can make an educated decision between type and soundness in each breed.
There are some very good judges of Labradors, and many judges new to the breed are taking every opportunity of attend seminars and study groups on the breed, as well as attending specialties. The National Specialty, which rotates across the country from one time zone to the next and includes a Judges’ Study Group, provides such an opportunity. In addition, there are numerous Labrador Retriever regional specialties held throughout North America that afford judges the chance to see sufficient numbers of Labradors to become familiar with breed type. Breed experts, both domestic and foreign, who offer a sounding board against which to evaluate one’s own judgments, usually judge these specialties
The Labrador Retriever is not an easy breed to judge. Those who wish to do service to the breed should approach judging with a firm understanding of the breed’s history, its function as a water retriever, and those characteristics emphasized in the Standard that make the Labrador a truly unique retriever. In the show ring, awards should never be given to shy or aggressive dogs. Judges should be aware that this is a natural, balanced, unexaggerated breed whose presentation should reflect the dog’s ability to do an honest day’s work in a cold water environment. The Labrador should be strongly built, powerful, and athletic, and should be neither cloddy nor weedy. A knowledgeable judge of the Labrador focuses on the breed’s function, on what it is designed to do, not on what it should possess to be a successful generic show dog.
BIO
Dr. Woods is a mentor and presenter for The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. Judge’s Education Committee. He judges Labrador Retrievers in the U.S. and Canada, and other countries. Dr. Woods owned and bred Labradors under the Waterdog prefix, and began judging in the U.S. in 1988.
