The Canadian Dog Judges Association presents the following guidelines to elevate the quality of breed seminar presentations. These suggestions emphasize the presentation format, recognizing that presenters are breed experts who inherently understand the essential aspects of the breed necessary for effective judging.
Whether you’re an experienced judge or breeder offering seminars for the first time, these guidelines aim to facilitate the development of informative, focused, and engaging presentations.
Seminar Suggestions:
- Presume Basic Knowledge: Presenters should assume that attending judges have a foundational understanding of basic breed structure.
- Avoid Script Reading: Refrain from reading extensively from a script or the breed standard during the presentation.
- Provide Printed Handouts: Printed handouts containing the breed standard, relevant illustrations, and additional informative materials are highly recommended for attendees to take away and study.
- Utilize Breed Expertise: While AKC breed videos are available, they are generally unnecessary. Attendees seek insight into how the presenter, as the breed expert, interprets and evaluates the breed.
- Brief Historical Context: A concise history of the breed, focusing on aspects relevant to judging, can be beneficial. However, limit historical commentary as attendees can explore non-judging related history independently.
- Detail Specific Characteristics: Presenters should emphasize and prioritize the unique characteristics that distinguish their breed from others. This should encompass overall appearance, head type, coat or color specifics, temperament, and any other distinguishing features.
- Highlight Essential Virtues and Faults: Identify and prioritize the essential virtues judges should reward and the faults breeders are less forgiving of. Address common judging mistakes related to the breed.
- Provide Comparative Analysis: If the breed shares similarities with another, provide comparisons to enhance understanding.
- Visual Aids: High-quality live dogs, videos demonstrating breed-specific functions, and visual aids such as slides or computer manipulations can enhance comprehension.
Selection of Dogs:
- Optimal Number: Ideally, include around four dogs for the “hands-on” portion of the seminar, though some presenters may choose more or fewer.
- Quality Over Quantity: Select dogs of the highest quality available, as judges learn best from exemplary specimens.
- Show Condition: Dogs should ideally be in show condition and coat, reflecting what judges may encounter in the ring.
- Variety in Coat Condition: In the case of heavily coated breeds, including a “cut down” dog or one out of coat can offer valuable instructional opportunities, provided they are of high quality.