Or, as has been said before, the right handler could finish a dead cat.
I agree that the show world has problems of its own and is more of a beauty pageant than a venue for evaluating breeding stock. Below is a bit copied from the Polish Kennel Club's (an FCI member) regulations. It seems to me a better approach to judging dogs than what is in place in America.
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"9. In the shows only healthy dogs can be showed, having a vet health certificate. Bitches who are pregnant or are in heat may not take part in the shows.
10. Dog shows are accessible for the public, and the organizers are allowed to take entrance fees. (What they usually do. Despite of this the public comes sometimes in big numbers)
II. Rules of the Dog Shows organization
Dogs may take part only in the following classes:
a) Puppy class - age 6 to 9 months (does not count toward championship)
b) Junior class – age 9 to 18 months (does count toward junior championship only)
c) Intermediate class – age 15 to 24 months
d) Open class – age above 15 months
e) Working class – age above 15 months, with a Working Dog Certificate organized for breeds, for which work tests are needed (including Golden Retrievers) The certificate of Working Dog is given to:
- defense dogs - with at least IPO I diploma
- hunting dogs - with at least III grade diploma on contests
f) Champion class - for dogs who have the diploma of an international champion or a national champion of Poland or from a different dog registry organization accepted by FCI
g) Veteran class – age above 8 years (does not count toward championship)
III. Rules of Judgment of Dogs in Shows
In the dog show the function of the judge may only be taken by a judge certified by the general management of the Polish Kennel Club or judges invited from different countries accepted by FCI, chosen from the list of international judges. On international dog shows only international judges from organizations accepted by FCI may judge.
12. & 13. While judging a dog the judge should take into consideration inherent flaws and those that were caught, physical and psychic health. The qualifications given by the judges may be one of the following definitions:
EXCELLENT may only be awarded to a dog which comes very close to the ideal standard of the breed, which is presented in excellent condition, displays a harmonious, well-balanced temperament, is of high class and has excellent posture. Its superior characteristics in respect of its breed permit that minor imperfections can be ignored; it must however have the typical features of its sex.
VERY GOOD may only be awarded to a dog which possesses the typical features of its breed, which has well-balanced proportions and is in correct condition. A few minor faults may be tolerated but none of a morphological nature. This award can only be granted to a dog that shows class.
GOOD is to be awarded to a dog that possesses the main features of its breed however showing faults provided these are not concealed.
SUFFICIENT must be awarded to a dog which corresponds adequately to its breed, without possessing the generally accepted characteristics or
whose physical condition leaves something to be desired.
DISQUALIFIED must be awarded to a dog which does not correspond to the type required by the breed standard; which shows a behavior clearly not in line with its standard or which behaves aggressively; which has testicular abnormalities; which has dental flaw or a jaw anomaly; which shows a color and/or coat imperfection or clearly shows signs of albinism. This qualification shall also be awarded to dogs that correspond so little to a single feature of the breed that their health is threatened. It should furthermore be awarded to dogs that show eliminating faults in regard to the breed standard.
Dogs that cannot be awarded one of the above qualifications shall be released from the ring with the rating:
CANNOT BE JUDGED. This rating is to be given to any dog which does not move, constantly jumps up and down on its handler or tries to get out of the ring, makes it impossible to assess the gait and the movement or avoids constantly to be examined by the judge and makes it impossible to inspect teeth, anatomy and structure, tail or testicles. This rating is also to be given if traces of operations or treatment can be observed which seem to indicate that the exhibitor wanted to deceive the judge. The same applies if the judge has ample reason to suspect operations that were intended to correct the original condition or feature (e.g.: eyelid, ear or tail). The reason why the dog was rated CANNOT BE JUDGED has to be stated in the judge’s report.
The four best dogs in each class are placed provided that they have been awarded at least the qualification “Very Good”."
From this link...
Polish Kennel Club and FCI Regulations
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Of course, partis would be disqualified under these rules also, due to the breed standard. But, since so much is being said about showing, I think it's interesting to see how much of the rest of the world goes about it.
