The Italian Puppy Of The Year, Foreign Judges...
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the dog without moving it or really touching it, which was worth up to 200 points and the third category was structure of the dog while being moved-again up to 200 points. In each category I awarded 0 to 100 or 200 points as some of the pups were timid to the point of really being unhappy while some would not move at all. It was a fun, different and I believe important type experience for everyone involved. Something to be explored here in the States for sure as a means to expand the meaning of what a show dog is all about. This all happened Sunday afternoon at about 2pm prior to the regular Groups at the Association Shows. It turned out there were to be two regular dog shows FCI style with CACIB’s and all about which we were totally unawares and that Gene was expected to adjudicate there as well although he had received no prior notice of this obligation. Fortunately just as we were heading for the pool in hot and lovely Messina friends at the show called us at 9:45 am and told us Gene was due at the show in 15 minutes to judge and evaluate some 90 dogs and two groups. As the call was coming in the driver who took us from Catania to Messina showed up to take us to “a dog party”. Gene threw on a suit, thank heaven his luggage finally arrived, and we arrived at this show which had over 1,000 entries fashionably Italian late. He proceeded to do some terriers and hounds and Group 7 but not 10, which was inexplicably taken away notwithstanding the catalogue which indicated he was to judge it. Eventually all got straightened out and I quickly want to add the problems were strictly a matter of communication and had nothing whatsoever to do with the Purina organizers who were perfect in every dog show detail. I spent most of the day watching Gene judge and he had some lovely Am Staffs and Staffies. I must say I think the FCI system of critiques is laborious and makes each class twice as long
as it should be but the exhibitors seem to enjoy reading and hearing what the judge says. Personally I find it contrived but that’s me. Of course they judge the Groups much differently in Italy than I have ever seen before as one neither pre-judges nor moves the dogs in the groups individually. Although one may do so if they so choose. The thousands of spectators who attended both days of shows really seemed to enjoy themselves and it sort of reminded me of the way shows used to be here in the States 20 or 30 or 40 years ago. Enthusiastic crowds applauding for their favorites and making the day a family outing rather than a quest for more and more points. Some of the handlers were quite good and many of the dogs in competition lovely and in good condition. The first night one of the top dogs in Italy was awarded Best-he a Clumber bred by Clussex in the USA. An adorable Chihuahua was Reserve and a nice Bobtail 3rd Best in show.
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aturday evening was a lovely club dinner held in the hotel we were staying in and among those on the panel was Ole Staunskjaer from Denmark accompanied by his lovely wife. The President of the Association was an interesting man who spoke no English but at least Gene was told that the next day he would be judging 75 dogs-Dachshunds, American Cockers and Goldens and two Groups 4 and 8. Additionally I think he was to judge the Purina Cup, too. Next day I dressed for the occasion, which was mea culpa time since I should have realized I would be drafted into judging if anything got out of schedule, which of course you know it did. Sort of like the handler who wears a suit to Montgomery but has
“One observation I cannot help but
make is that foreign judges who come to whatever country they adjudicate at have to learn how to adjust their eye to the differences between certain breeds in that country as compared to the country in which they live.”
nothing entered, just wants to see the event and within 5 minutes is working harder than usual to help out his counterparts. Well that’s what happened to me but fortunately it was for the Purina Cup, which as I have already explained I thought was a grand experience. I loved walking the grounds and seeing the excitement of the spectators and exhibitors as well. There was a great and huge food stand offering many Italian delicacies whilst right across the road-less than a twominute walk was a Patisserie with incredible Messina style cannolis and pizzas. I was taken there by some locals but did not tell Gene since he was busy working although I did bring him back a pizza--nice guy that I am! Watched a number of Italian judges and thought they acquitted themselves quite nicely-2 or 3 of the foreign judges--nonItalians were another story and one would have expected that all male judges would wear a tie and jacket instead of polo shirts or dirty looking shirts that looked as though they just came from cleaning the kennel. I was asked to judge around 2 pm and that experience is outlined above. Best the second night was reversed between the Clumber and the Chi with a different Bobtail-same owners and breeders though number 3. This was to my eye – that is the Bobtail - the exhibit of both days of the show- it was not shown on Saturday and even with a tail would be quite a contender here I would think. The line-up on Sunday was to my eye far superior than Saturday-true there were 500 dogs more than on Sunday but whether that would cause such a radical difference in quality remains to be seen. All in all we both had a great time and really are looking forward to our upcoming trip to Genoa. One observation I cannot help but make is that foreign judges who come to whatever country they adjudicate at have to learn how to adjust their eye to the differences between certain breeds in that country as compared to the country in which they live. For example the Bassets, few as they were, were so different and European and overdone than our Bassets as are the European boxers to the UK and of course to the boxers in the USA. It’s not that one is better than the other it’s an interpretation and understanding. Why for instance at Montgomery there was a judge who dismissed immediately 11 of her 13 American dog specials and kept only 2 foreign-bred specials in for BOB competition. That shows an individual with an unworldly attitude towards judging which is why certain people can judge anywhere in the world repeatedly and are invited over and over again as opposed to the individual who is seen once in a lifetime in that country unless he or she may control a show and invite the showchair back as a little tit for tat. Dog News 101