Show Dog Faults

Someone asked if I would show a picture of a hooked tail. Shall try to get a good one to post. All registered breeds have their "standards" (of perfection), a written description of what that particular breed should look like. Each breed has its own standards. No dogs are perfect, all having some faults/imperfections, but it is often the degree of the fault that makes the difference. Some faults are disqualifying faults, such as patches and undershot bites, meaning those dogs can not be shown at all. Other faults are major faults such as cowhocks or flat feet, faults that are very serious in nature and in the case of Dalmatians those faults of soundness might prevent a Dalmatian from doing his historical job (coaching). Other faults are more general, and how they are viewed by a judge or breeder depends on the degree of faultiness. A dog with a slightly long back is less faulty than a dog with a very long back. A dog that is way too heavily spotted is faultier than a dog who is just a little too heavily spotted.

Because the standard is only a blue print, and because we all interpret things differently, a heavily marked dog may appear to be faultier to you than it does to me - we may see things differently. A dog may be larger than I prefer (but still within standard) but it may be just right to you. Some faults are more offensive to some people than to others. I object to short legs and/or long backs - the proportions of a dog, and it's resulting outline are very important to me. That may not bother others nearly as much as it bothers me.

Judges judge dogs based on THEIR interpretation of the standard. That's why results vary from show to show. The best dogs generally win, but not always. Dogs are judged on how close they come to meeting the standard, but not every judge or breeder will agree on everything.

If you've never read the Dalmatian Standard, you can find it on the Internet, on the AKC site, the Dalmatian Club of America site, or just be Googling Dalmatian Standard AKC. If you want a standard with an explanation of each section and pictures too, buy yourself a copy of DCA's book, "The Official Book Of The Dalmatian" you can find it on EBAY or various booksellers. I did the text on that chapter and my daughter Jess did some excellent drawings, plus we have great pictures illustating many of the things described in the standard. Even breeders who have read the standard in the past need to look it over from time to time for reminders. Now, what is the correct eye shape? What does the standard say about ear placement? Little things like that make a good Dalmatian a good Dalmatian, and we need to be conscious of the things we need to improve or retain when we do a litter.

The standard says that the Dalmatian tail is tapered, is long enough to reach the hock and is carried in a slight curve upward, meaning it is carried just a little above level. Bad tails include those carried straight up (correct for a Beagle), those with big curls (correct for an Afghan) and tails carried over the back (just right for Norwegian Elkhounds). Anything in between a perfect tail and the other extremes has to be judged on the degree of faultiness.

Oops, running out of time - to be continued!