do not make good judges, as we all know. Judging is about
summing up the essence of dogs in a very short time. Actually, in order to succeed as a judge, you need an instant eye
for balance and beauty. When breeding, you can use years to
come to your decisions. For this and other reasons, breeding
and judging are quite different ballgames.
Espen Engh
judging the
Greyhound
Club of America
National
Specialty in 1991.
BOB went to Ch.
Lochinvar Leaps
& Bounds, a bitch
breeder/ownerhandled by
Maureen Lucas.
AS: What is your judging philosophy? Has it always been
the same, or has it changed slightly from the time when
you started?
EE: What has not changed is my outlook on the role of the judge
in the sport of dogs. Some judges seem to believe that dog shows
are organized for them and that they are the most important ingredient of the show. I strongly disagree. Without the dogs, their
AS: How is the knowledge and experience you gain from
breeders and their owners, there would be no dogs to judge. The
breeding reflected in your judging?
breeds, the breeders and the owners would probably survive just
EE: I do think a breeder will have a different approach to
fine without dog shows and dog judges. As a breeder, I have to be
judging than non-breeders. As a breeder, I may be more aware
able to evaluate the breeding results myself and cannot rely on
of the fact that my choices in the ring may have consequencthe judges to do so more accurately than
es on future generations. Yes, I do subme. Sure, a second opinion can always be
scribe to the Scandinavian notion that
we are judging the result of breeding,
I can get an emotional valuable, but I could always ask another
for his or her opinion. In a way,
but we also need to step up to the fact
high ... from watching breeder
that is what I am doing when I show my
that our decisions, at least collectiveand touching
dogs at specialties.
ly, do influence the selection of future
Another thing that has not changed
breeding stock. A lot of people breed to
outstanding dogs.
is the quest to learn more. [When] judgwin, and they will breed to winners. I
ing dogs, you are constantly studying
think that longtime breeder-judges will
and learning, and this is one of the main reasons why you
be less tempted to go with fads and fashion.
want to do it in the first place — to keep learning and improve.
I think they will often focus more on type and construction at
When I started out as a judge, I was convinced that I would
the expense of presentation and showmanship. The fact that I
only judge a few selected breeds, naturally the ones I had the
very often end up with bitches for BOB is a reflection of my being
most experience with.
a breeder, recognizing the value of good bitches over sometimes
For a long time, I stuck to sighthounds and just a few
perhaps more imposing but less correct or less typey males.
more breeds as that felt very comfortable and safe. Then
I came to a point where I did not find the judging all that
AS: So, would you say that a clever breeder will no
challenging anymore. The learning curve was not as steep,
doubt make a great judge as well?
EE: Unfortunately, no. There are many clever breeders that
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DOGSinREVIEW.com
JOHN ASHBEY
38
ENGH, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34
into their eyes gives me a lot of satisfaction. Consequently, I
can enjoy judging even quite ugly dogs, if we connect. But laying my hands and feasting my eyes on truly outstanding dogs
gives me an aesthetic kick like no other. I can get an emotional
high and physical reactions in terms of goose bumps and a
few tears in my eyes from watching and touching outstanding
dogs. So judging dogs is a very gratifying experience. I was
and still am attracted to the intellectual challenge of judging
classes of outstanding dogs, and I have been lucky to judge
some truly wonderful entries over the years.
AS: How do you prepare for your judging assignments?
EE: I read a lot before judging assignments. I have an extensive dog library and two four-drawer cabinets full of illustrated standards and compendiums that I have collected over
many years and that are put to use before appointments. By
reading through these, I get mentally prepared and attempt
to sharpen my radar for breed type. I will often bring a lot
of reading material with me on the trips and spend the waiting time in airports and on board airplanes reading about the
breeds I am about to judge.
I also read up on show rules and regulations for the country
in which I will be judging, if available. And I make sure to get
a good night’s sleep.