Went to Birmingham on Sunday - it was a lovely day.  Question - how is it that a dog can get judged best in class in one show and then another judge in another show a few week's later doesn't even place.  I overheard people at the show saying that one particular judge always selects the smaller dogs even though the slightly larger are still within the breed standard and sure enough, all the smaller ones did very well.  So this judge seemed to select size as most important criteria, another one might select coat.   I don't show but this perceived lack of consistency is something I just can't understand.  It must be really frustrating for showers - although I suppose it does allow more dogs to win or get placed.  Don't all judges get together at some point to agree on most important aspects.  Perhaps I am just misunderstanding the whole process.

Most judges have their own preference within the breed.
In my breed SBT you'll find quite a big differences within the breed, All judges like different types.
Some prefer more bully type, some prefer more terrier even though it suppose to be a good mix of the two.
Some like bitches small, some prefer them with some height. etc etc
Also colour comes into it, Some prefer Black, Black/Brindle and some prefer Reds, and of course some prefer pied. So basically it's down to the judges preference on the day,
You either have to be fussy what judge you go under, or put up with it :) even though it's quite annoying.

Mitch.

There is a difference between all rounders & specializts

All rounders are judges who may or may not have owned the breed, but who has judged enough dogs at the open level to add the breed to the ones they give CC's in. They tend to be willing to forgive  dogs fault if they are otherwise a good specimin of the breed

Specializts are people who have owned & showed the breed & usually done well in it. They teand to put up dogs like the ones they own & have bred as this is how they interpret the breed standard

Years ago you could win under all rounders if your dog was sound & showed well even if it wan't the best dog according to the breed standard, the better ones being not so sound or good showers

My Champion beardie won ther three CC's each with BOB under two specializts & an all rounder.(we retired her from Ch shows after she was made up as this was the norm then)She was extremely sound & well constructed her fault was a less than perfect muzzle but as she carried a good coat we could fluff up her muzzle to make her appear to have a correct one

Movement in a bread like Bearded Collies is very important in the job they were bred to do much more important than a perfect muzzle

You're not alone in not understanding judging - there are countless judges who don't understand it either ;-)

:D :D

with you on that one Teri :D

I've been under a few of them especially a very old all rounder who gave me BIS with my Afghan-doh never owned an Affie he was a beardie LOLOLOL But the judge is never wrong especially when you win ;)

Also of course an exhibit can not be showing well at one show or be out of coat compared to it's rival who just has that something more on the day.

At Birmingham my youngster had no sparkle at all, and showed like a sulky child when she couldn't have her way in the ring, and didn't look half the exhibit she was when she had some really good wins a few weeks earlier. 

Very often exhibits can be very close in quality and personal prefernces re size, colour or what have you may just decide things for that judge.

Some judges as everyone has more or less said will have a type and colour they go for on a regular basis and that is why you will see more entries of a certian type and colour under that judge than at other shows. Some place movement top of their list, others go for head shape, others like conditioning, then you get some who want it all in their BOB! Sometimes when you look down the line you can see that a judge has gone for the same type in all his decisions and other times you look and think what is going on her as no to dosg look the same. The beauty of judging is that you will never know (should never know) what the judge is going to do. Seen Ch. slung from Open before or placed 4th or 5th behind untitled dogs and a dog who is not far away from it's JW can get beaten by another that is nowhere near getting it's JW.

I have a thing you could all try.  In one particular breed at Birmingham show, there were 3 (I think) exhibitors who cut their ring cards into heart shapes, pretty?  Well it worked because top honours were won by them and not one of the dogs owned by these three exhibitors  were placed out of the first two in any of the classes they were entered in!  Quite enlightening I thought!
Dawn.

WoW, think i might try that on Friday at Richmond...do you think i should try another shape????
The way my luck has been going at the last few shows..anything is worth a try. :)
Karen.

Maybe a star shape would look good!! :)

wow i think i may try thay in the jh at richmond with my number card lol
fiona