Page 65 - Chow Life - Summer 2017

A Judges Critique for exhibiting dogs with excellent temperment. In very strong female classes overall,

my placements were:
Aiming for perfection, overall I would have preferred females
with:
Baby Femmine – 16 entries, 3 absent, 11 Very Promising,
1. more length of neck to provide the dog with a higher sight 2 Promising
line for better function and a more proud, dignified bearing
and general appearance;

2. when viewed from the rear, straighter alignment of hip, stifle
and hock joint in one or both rear legs, to create more sound-
ness, endurance and stamina; or, as was noted in a few exhibits,
no flexing forward of the hocks when standing.
3. a longer upper arm to balance the scapula and place the
front leg directly
below the withers, to create more physical balance and free- 1st: Ai-Shang Pangaa, #19 (left photo below)
dom of movement; Sire: Ai-Shang Khan Sami
4. a bit more length of leg to create the ideal square upstanding Dam: Ai-Shang Jerby-Juno
silhouette and more functional agility; and Breeder: K. Pal, Owner: Kristin Pal
Red rough: Excellent bone, compact, square, with good balance. Correct
5. a smaller, thicker ear to withstand the elements and provide bite, good pigment, eyes and overall head proportions. Prefer smaller
more protection. ears. High tail set. Well muscled. Moved very well coming toward me
although due to inexperience, did not show as well as she could, when
moving away.
As much as our modern Chow Chows are adorable, dearly
loved companions, it must be remembered that dog shows are
not beauty contests; their purpose is the selection of breeding 2nd: Grace Shen Te Chows, #26 (right photo above)
stock. The FCI breed standard is very clear: the Chow Chow’s Sire: King of My Heart Santa Haus
original function was to guard and hunt. This ancient breed Dam: Bajadera For Shen Te Guards of King
was developed to perform its jobs in the severe geographic and Breeder: A. Jurcan, Owner: Marco Alfredo Zampieri
climactic conditions of Northern Asia; and in particular, China. Red rough: Compact, correct neck, attractive head, dark oval eye, very
Given the breed’s 2,000 year history of survival in this harsh balanced. Prefer more size (height).
environment, it is essential that the Chow Chow’s mind and body
be capable of surviving the coldest, leanest and most threaten-
ing conditions. The breed was perfected to be agile, compact, 3rd: Love is On the Air at Tin Pan Alley, #29
and capable of great stamina; while at the same time, being an Sire: Ch Moima Gengis Khan
independent thinker (i.e. aloof) yet loyal. These essential qualities Dam: Gypsy Black Satin Doll
require a Chow Chow that has the correct anatomical structure Breeder: A Pivato, Owner: Gordana M. Zupanc
and ability to breathe freely, to see its surroundings without Black rough. Very upstanding. Prefer more oval eye shape and more fill
impediment, and to work for long periods of time while conserv- under the eyes to give a broader muzzle. Size, bone and balance very
ing energy by moving with a distinctive stilted gait. Keeping the correct.
FCI breed standard, function and rigins in mind, I sought a well
balanced upstanding Chow with a square profile, possessing a 4th: Lux-Chow’s Audrey Madame Velvet, #30
strong ability to function. The FCI standard emphasizes these
important proportions: “the distance from withers to ground is Sire: Ch Hary-Ming Shang Velvet
equal to the distance from elbow to ground.” My choices were Dam: Pepper Moon dei Leoni Imperiali
made with these criteria in mind. I observed these qualities in Breeder: H. Liebich Lux, Owner: Heidi Liebich Lux
many exhibits as a result, it was truly a pleasure to award “Excel- Red smooth: Upstanding, balanced, pleasing head with correct neck car-
lent” to many correct and typey examples of the breed. riage. Prefer more compact body. Good bone, clear oval eyes.
Chow Chows awarded “Very Good” were, on the day, less fit
for effective breed function, due to one or more of the following Juniores Femmine, 14 entries, 3 Absent, 8 Very Promising,
faults: a) short on leg, b) lacking a healthy “clean” eye (entropian), 3 Promising
c) labored breathing; or d) lacking rear soundness (typically com-
promised by either an inward turning of one or both hocks, or
one or both hocks slipping forward and out of joint alignment).