mmranch
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Nov 2010
Location: maywood, missouri
Posts: 36 |
I had this same discussion with a UKC judge in our area. I asked him what the dew claws had to do with the performance of the dog. He didn't really have and answer, but he did say because the rules say that they cannot be shown.
If you look at the genetics of all hounds, there is a mix somewhere to make the breed. Just like horses. There are only a few pure bred horses. Specifically two. (another argument)
But all of these hounds came from a mix of breeds to promote one of the now known breeds. Just like in people, sometimes there is a distinctive gene that comes through causing some sort of genetic flaw.
My personal opinion is that if a dog is to be judged on his confirmation, he should be judged in a way that is comparable to what he can do in performance. So, if a dog has a good hip and back and shows strength in his shoulder and ribcage to give him plenty of lung space so that he can do his job, I think that should be judged as a plus. As far as the ears and the head go, I think that the hound should have plenty of ear and a longer nose so that he is able to pick up the scent of whatever he is hunting. Hounds should be pleasing to look at, but they are built for performance and that should be the issue. I don't believe that dew claws have anything to do with the performance of a hunting dog other than the fact that they can get them hung up on something and can be easily torn.
This is just my personal non professional opinion. Although the conformational judging or aka Bench Dog has gotten to the point that it is very political, just like any other sport. I have seen dogs who didn't show at all, they had to be drug around the ring and refused to stand on the bench get the trophy just because of the person who is showing them or because they had a certain name on their papers. I think that this is part of showing in anything, it does happen regardless of what they say. I would hope that the coon hunting judges would set an example to our youth in that it doesn't matter who the handler or the owner is But unfortunately, that isn't the way the world is now, I can't change that, I just have to learn to deal with it and play the political game the best way I can without being immoral about it. Enough said.
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12-25-2010 01:35 AM
