 ilk...
"...but when you have 10 or 20 dogs competing with equal "total" packages, bottom line, it boils down to a beauty contest."
Yeah, okay but only in the sense that Mrs. Universe has a set peramiter that she must adhere too and toss in strict muscle tone and conformation to boot.
Just because there are more dogs in the ring doesn't mean the judge is going to put up the most beautiful (that's too opinionated). He has to look at the factual. And how does he/she place the top 4 or 5? With over 20 dogs in the ring? Number 1-adheres closest to the standard; Number 2-adheres to standard, but his movement is slightly choppy; Number 3-adheres beautifully to the standard and would've been first, but doesn't have an attitude the day of the show becoming of a Yorkie (remember they view the whole package); Number 4-adheres to the standard but upon coming and going is considered to be out at the elbows.; Number 5-adheres to the standard and while he has the best coat of the bunch is lacking conditioning on the frame (a dog to watch in future rings).
Just an idea. I understand what you're saying and just agree to disagree. I would see (if interested) about getting back ringside and watching in person again just what takes place. Really take a good look at a sizeable class and you'll see what my example demonstrates. While some people find that to be stupid, those are the people no one wants to mentor. |