We have posted on this blog before about what some exhibitors see as very poor judging, and the choice of judge chosen for up coming dog shows, Here ,and Here ,and Here
At this years Irish Dachshund Club Show Mr Axel Komorowski from Germany (Pictured left) was appointed as judge, and as per the glowing reports both during and after the show, he carried out his duties in an efficient, professional, and extremely knowledgeable manner.
For the schedule of the show Axel wrote a small piece about his history in dogs, and about the studies that he had to undertake in order to become a breed specialist in his country.
This caught my attention, so I asked Axel if he would be kind enough to write in detail exactly what he had to do in order to become a breed specialist for Dachshunds in the country of origin, and he didn’t let me down. I’ll let you be the judge of it, but the following sounds a lot more difficult and thorough than what it takes or has taken certain judges / exhibitors to become in their eyes a “Breed Specialist”
The career from a specialist for Dachshunds – Group 4
Germany is the homeland of Dachshunds. Therefore the German Dachshund Club (DTK 1888; see also www.dtk-1888.de ) is one of the biggest breeding clubs in Germany. We have more then 22.000 members and we breed more then 6.000 puppies per year. One of the most important objectives is to save the breeds in healthfulness in association with a body perfect in form – founded in the FCI Standard.
Therefore the club sets value on an excellent training for all judges. Before a breeder can start with his training to become a judge, there are some requirements.
1. An excellent reputation is needed for this person
2. The breeder must have bred minimum 3 litters
3. In the last 5 years the breeders must have shown his own dogs in some shows
4. An age from 21 years is necessary
5. The breeder have to be member in the club since minimum 5 years
6. The breeder must have organised minimum 5 shows or has worked as ring secretary in 5 shows.
If the breeder has fulfilled these requirements, he has to absolve two preliminary tests under two different judges, who have the qualification for training young judges. After the successful preliminary test the board of the club can admit the breeder for training.
The training judge has to absolve trainings in different shows and under different judges. He has to train in
1. 4 little national shows, which are typical for Germany to get only a grade for the dog, no CAC
2. 3 national CAC shows and
3. 3 international CACIB shows.
In these shows the training judge has to discuss his opinion in the ring with his trainer and he has to write for all dogs critiques. After the show he has to send the critiques to the trainer, who has to control and to adjust the critiques.
Also the training judge have to absolve some courses from the German Kennel Club (VDH, see also www.vdh.de ) in anatomy, genetics, kinetics and also a course about regulations of shows. After fulfilling these requirements and after 2 years the training judge is allowed to go in his first test.
This test consists of two parts. One part is theory, the other is practise. In the theory the training judge have to answer 100 questions in anatomy, genetics, kinetics, regulations of shows and the FCI Standard. It’s necessary to get more then 75 % in every specific field!
In the practice test the training judge has to “judge” minimum 10 dogs. Three judges, who are authorized by the club, will decide about both tests.
If the training judge has a successful test, he is allowed to judge the lowest level of shows we have in Germany. He is marked “Formwertrichter”, it means he is “judge for grades”. Now he can judge these national shows, only necessary to get a grade for the dog, for breeding and to get an expertise for the dog. Normally we have round about 25 dogs in these regional shows; they get only a verbal critic.
After two more years, after judging minimum 100 dogs, the “Formwertrichter” has to go in his second test. This test has the same construction as the first test … but other questions and other dogs to judge.
If he / she has a successful test, the breeder is now “specialist for Dachshunds”. After two more successful years as specialist, the judge gets the license to judge in foreign countries. 4 years after his second test its possible that he get the license from the club to judge the Group 4 in International shows.
Oh and by the way as per Dog World Weekly News Mr Brace in conjunction with Dog World is now giving a critique seminar on Sunday February 19, 2012 at Stafford County Showground
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