My apologies to Edward Albee for borrowing this column's title in order to
draw your attention to balance. The balance to which I refer is not that which
describes the relationship of a dog's parts. Instead, I ponder balance in how
Cavaliers are judge: the opinion of the breed specialist versus that of the
all-rounder judge.
At this year's first Cavalier World Congress, an all-rounder judge hinted
that breeder-judges often do not look past the head and tend to ignore, or not
recognize, structural faults. Not long after, a breeder-judge said to me that
some judges just don't seem to understand our breed, that they reward generic
dogs that are structurally correct but lack proper breed type. These opposing
statements are the crux of the balancing act that many judges are faced with.
Like it or not, we all bring baggage with us in our judging. Those who cut
their teeth on breeds that were bred for sport or work naturally gravitate
toward a Cavalier possessing the attributes of basic correct structure and
movement.
Other were weaned on breeds whose main purpose was to be pleasing to the eye
and soul through ornamentation and temperament. These judges are naturally drawn
to specific traits such as correct large, round eyes; skull shape; and rich
color. They may be forgiving of a less than perfect topline, or hindquarters and
shoulders that would not server well in the field.
For Cavaliers, there is a bit more to this than the old chestnut of type vs.
soundness. Cavaliers have been judged "in a vacuum" in this country for many
years, compared only to fellow Cavaliers. For six years now, their new venue has
placed them squarely beside breeds which have held their own for years in group
and BIS show rings.
Uptopia would exist if all judges knew structure and symmetry as well as
every nuance of breed type that breeders value in a Cavalier. In the real world,
just as there will never be a perfect Cavalier, there will never be a perfect
Cavalier judge.
To achieve a delicate balance, breed specialists must learn all they can from
those who understand structure, balance, athleticism and a harmony of all the
aforementioned qualities that sets a dog apart as superior.
Likewise, the all-rounders should continue to study our standard and
relentlessly question breeders about those qualities on which we place the most
emphasis in the pursuit of proper Cavalier type.
Personally, I don't subscribe to the idea of judging by what is best to send
into the group ring. To do so is to admit that one would judge the breed
differently at an independent specialty (where the BB dog would meet no further
competition) than at an all-breed show.
Let us not discount either end of the spectrum in this delicate balance of
judging. The somewhat generalized statements here do not imply that the
all-rounder knows nothing of type, nor do they infer that breeders know nothing
of structure and movement.
The delicate balance is a mid- ground where all of this knowledge converges,
enabling a judge to find a dog of superior breed type that is structurally
correct, and sound in mind, body and movement.
Once all judges are steeped in such knowledge, the additional challenge goes
forth for breeders to produce such a Cavalier - in order that the judge in the
delicate balance will have this marvelous specimen of a Cavalier to reward!
