G'day,
My 11mth old Maremma bitch was refused her challenge because the judge said "her legs were everywhere."
I recorded the puppy in the ring, and she was a little bit excited, trying feebly to reach the handler's bait as she ran. [Yes, we have ensured a stricter control on bait quantity and location from now on.] But she is a puppy, and it was a cool evening show, which always seems to 'frisk' up the dogs, perhaps especially those of cool climate breeds.
She has earned 87 points in the last six months, was BOB in the Perth Royal Show, and has even beaten a magnificent full grown male (close relative) in the ring recently.
Of course I recognise that the judge must base her decisions only on the dog's performance in the ring at the time, but the puppy was just a little excited, and the judge asked, and was answered twice, the dog's age. She had also examined the puppy's body very thoroughly, concentrating on her hips and rear legs. She even checked under the paws, presumably to see if the hair had been trimmed, although that is not a requirement for Maremmas. Any excess hair underfoot is probably a blessing for a Maremma out in the bush, but as we have raised her to be a family guardian, living in suburbia, we do trim her paws lightly anyway.
The point being that the judge knew there was nothing wrong with the puppy's joints, proportions, or stance.
Shouldn't she have at least asked for a "straight away and back" if she genuinely believed she needed to see the puppy's gait better?
Finally, there seemed to be a lot of agreement from the breeders around about, that a puppy was recognised as still in training and could not be refused simply for "imperfect form" in the ring.
Can anyone please confirm the guidelines relating to refusals and any specific allowances for the younger classes?
Thanks, Peter
