Chow Chow Africa education
Articles meriting serious consideration -
judge the chow chow
These pages are included in judges training
schemes around the world.
The calibre of information presented serve as a guide to both
judges and breeders internationally,
in the interest of preserving of the Chow Chow as a breed for future
generations.
The Chow Chow breed thanks all serious breeders and judges for their time & dedication.
Internationally
respected
judges and mentors of the Chow Chow
provide the important view of
breed defining characteristics.
Photos & illustrations submitted
by the authors as visual aids.
VERY IMPORTANT JUDGES' GUIDE:
According to every breed standard internationally,
the Chow Chow’s unique pendulum swing (stilted gait) is as important as the blue tongue and “oriental” scowl.
Overall balance of correct front and rear angles results in full extension producing the characteristic swinging gait.
Yet internationally this gait, a historic hallmark of Chow Chow breed type,
is not found in the majority of today’s Chow Chows.
Out of very deep concern, the Chow Chow Club Inc (USA) is pleased to present this VIDEO,
compiled by breed mentors/judges,
with the intention of guiding fellow judges in their evaluation.
Please study it and help our Chow Chows regain, and improve, this required element of true Chow Chow Type.
VIDEO: THE CHOW CHOW'S UNIQUE PENDULUM GAIT
INDEPTH EXPLANATION
& EVALUATION GUIDE
"What you see is what you get"
Judging of the smooth chow chow
by Gillian Claxton, UK (Chow
Chow Africa Website)
Unfortunately in many countries it is quite usual for exhibitors
to scissor
the coats of rough chows into shape.... so it is
up to the judge to penalise
where necessary or at least judge the dog and not the artificial
shape. When judging a smooth chow “what you see is what you get”.
The Problem of Balance in the Chow Chow
by Dr Samuel Draper, USA (Chow Chow Africa Website)
Results of this little examination are symptomatic of the problem of balance. Three out of four judges failed the exam outright.... When the judges were confronted with the Standard, their replies included....
Judging of the chow chow
by Diana Phillips, UK (Chow
Chow Africa Website)
The standard asks for an active dog. The Chow should be fit enough to move at a brisk pace and not amble along in the show ring. It is essential that the Chow is well-balanced. This should not be confused with size.
Judging of the chow chow -
a positive approach
by Linda (Love) Banghart, USA (Chow
Chow Africa Website)
As the evaluator gains experience and true knowledge of the Chow Chow, the history of the breed and current health and structural issues in our breed, they will hopefully attain a different approach to judging
Judging of the chow chow
by Mona Selbach, Norway (Chow
Chow Africa Website)
I think the judges play a very important part when it comes to the
future of a breed. What they put up in the ring to day, will most
certainly be the
mothers and the fathers of the Chows of tomorrow....Champions
and winner titles are vital to get your studs used and your puppies
sold.
Chow Chow Pigmentation
by Bernice Leroy, ZA (Chow
Chow Africa Website)
This article serves as an overview of the correct pigmentation for the Chow Chow to guide breeders and judges. We will approach each of the important anatomical points related to pigment by looking at what history tells us, various Breed Standard requirements, compare to genetics and interpret it all reasonably through these three filters.
Judging of the chow chow
Dr Jo Anne O'Brien DVM, USA (Wine Country Chow
Chow Assn Website)
The spine of the shoulder, if extended to the ground, should have an angle of 55-60 degrees with the ground. The shoulder and upper arm, or humerus, form an angle of approximately 110 degrees and the upper arm must be at least as long as the shoulder.
The Complete Chow Chow
by Dr Samuel Draper, USA (Chow
Chow Africa Website)
The Chow is a square dog. This squareness should
be stressed repeatedly. Every Chow Standard in the world today defines the Chow as
square, in that the body squares with the height at shoulder. Unfortunately,
some judges and breeders do exist that ignore - indeed shut their
eyes to this important attribute of the Chow. His squareness.
Retaining stilted / pendulum gait -
A different angle
by Bernice Leroy, ZA (Chow
Chow Africa Website)
Few can explain technically why the Chow Chow stilts, and equally
few have actually seen correct stilted / pendulum gait. If the greater
number of breeders cannot technically understand what exactly
brings about stilted / pendulum gait, how can they produce it, select
for it or educate judges? If the greater number of judges do not
technically understand or see correct stilted / pendulum gait, how
can they accurately reward it?
Preferred Breed Type:
Why The Stand-out Best dog can Be A Loser
by K Gammil (The DogPlace Website)
It is a "Judas Kiss" to any breed when a judge puts up a dog simply because it looks like the majority in the ring. It encourages people to breed to “winners” rather than to a breed standard. A bad front and bad rear working in sequence produces “balance”. Do two wrongs make a right?
The Reasons why Breeds Change
It takes a little time, but soon judges arrive at a situation where they get a class of six dogs – five of them are of the “new” rather off-beat type, one is completely correct. The knowledgeable and constructive judge will know enough about the breed to be able to say with conviction “This one is right – the others are wrong” and judge accordingly. Many other judges, however, perhaps lacking depth of knowledge of that breed, will take the easy option, assume that the five must be right as they form the majority, and the sixth dogs gets left out of the awards
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