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When the S.C.C
(French Kennel Club) changed the C.A.C. (Aptitude Certificate of
Championship ) into C.A.C.S. (Aptitude Certificate of Standard
Conformity), they took a wise and courageous stand which no doubt must
have delighted every true dog-lover.
This decision probably came
after the beginning of the drift in judgments which favored brio of
presentation to the judgment of standard conformity. I cannot tell
whether, for any of you, this new attribution of the C.A.C.S. allowed
preserving the authenticity of most breeds. At any rate, I hoped this was
so, but, in so far as the breed closest to my heart, the Lhasa Apso, is
concerned, I fear this was no more than wishful thinking.
Otherwise, how could you
understand that in a breed whose ideal size should be 25.5 cm for males
(females being slightly smaller) champions measuring 30 and 32 cm (12" -
13") have been crowned whose progeny sometimes must be refused
confirmation owing to their too large size!
One cannot help wondering how
it has been possible with the same standard to judge dogs as dissimilar as
the Lhasa Apso as we first knew them and the present "modern Lhasa". What
has become of the breeders who are lucky enough to own dogs of the first
and beautiful stock. None of them are ever, or hardly ever, seen in the
rings. In the last French Championship on 6th June 1997 there was not one
to be seen.
The great pity is that they
left place for the new ones, for they had not realized what a unique
genetic potential they had in hand: of priceless value nowadays, seeing it
has practically disappeared. Those of you who still own dogs of this type
dating back to the former Hamilton and Anapurna stocks should have the
courage to come back and should not allow today's stars to impress them,
for very soon, quite certainly they will be needed.
The S.C.C. ought now to make it
compulsory for posters of the standard to be displayed in the rings. This
would remind everyone that a value of the breed doesn't lie in the dog's
grooming and the way in which it is presented but in the respective
characteristics with which nature has endowed it. Exhibitions should not
be confused with shows (spectacles). Of course, nature must be helped but
must it be distorted? Unfortunately this is what happened with the Lhasa
Apso. Every thing has been altered; its morphology, its gaits, its coat,
its attitude and even its colors.
Regarding the morphology, size
is not the only problem; the general bearing of the dog is different with
a very steep front assembly prolonging a long neck. Either they are very
heavily boned and their weight is about 9 or 10 kg., or else they have no
substance. In either case their outrageously long hair hides their
defects.
Their gait with back paws
lifted high up to show the pads is not an Apso feature. As to the coat,
cosmetics may do all kinds of things but they can't give back goat hair!
(Ed. The French standard mentions "Poil de Chevre" or hair like a goat -
taken from the alleged origin of the name "apso" from the Tibetan "rapso",
a long-haired Tibetan goat.) Where are the lovely black ear fringes, where
are the black beards and moustaches? They are still to be seen, though
very rarely, on certain shaded grey dogs. On the other hand, one sees lots
of a pale apricot color vaguely similar to that of certain American
Cockers.
How can such a change have
occurred within the last few years?
1.1 - Lack of rigor with regard
to the standard and, in certain countries, non respect of the standard.
2.2 - Exaggerated selection in view of obtaining a more spectacular type
of "show dog". This unavoidably leading to degeneration due to the many
qualities lost on the way. 3.3 - Possibly even mixing with different breed
in order to obtain the desired type. Whatever the reason and perhaps all
three at once, there is no cause for rejoicing.
As to the exhibitions, which
ought to be presentations and not spectacles, what more natural. Do away
with le leashes which stretch the cervical vertebrae almost strangling the
dog to make him fly and to give him the so called elegance of a lovely
neck; instead use supple leashes which allow the dog to be lively and to
walk naturally.
As to the standing position,
campé, (stretched out) so much in demand nowadays, I'll leave the floor to
Dr. LUQUET : "A number of exhibitors as the front legs retain their normal
balance. When they say that in such a position the dog is "well placed"
they are mistaken in this connection. "
The best way to express our
opinion is to quote what Professor BRESSON has written: " This leads us to
regret the manner (of anglo-saxon origin) in which too many dogs are
presented in the rings, their hind legs exaggeratedly pulled backwards,
extension rearwards, the top directed upwards, this artificial position
being further accentuated by the owner who places one hand under the chin
and the other at the bend of the knees; such being a current practice in
the American exhibitions. Though the silhouette thus obtained may be
elegant, pleasant to the eye; it is artificial, illogical, and makes it
impossible to issue a reasonable judgment. It prevents the (proper
evaluation of) conformation and the balance of the dog."
I also wish to add the
following excerpt from one of Professor QUENNEC's articles "For
exhibitions, the tenet advocates hand presentation which allows hiding any
anatomic defects. The attitude described in resting on the front legs,
head up and hind quarters down. This gives the animal plenty of brio but
such an attitude is one of aggressive threat often associated with hidden
fear. In the U.S.A Humphrey and Warner followed by many other authors,
find strong negative correlation between a balanced temperament and
participation in exhibitions."
I leave to each one of you to
meditate on the opinions of these men of science, who know, far better
than the average dog-fancier what corresponds to animal's morphology. If
only we would listen to them!
All of us, such as we are
judges, breeders, amateurs, we all share in the responsibility of
maintaining the species. It is our duty to preserve them, to respect them
and not to modify them according to our tastes, our fancies, our vanities
and our interests. They are not our slaves, but living beings to whom we
owe protection. Man has unconsciously allowed 2500 species of animals and
plants to disappear within the last five years. Will the Lhasa Apso of
yesteryear also be lost? In so far as I am concerned this very ancient and
beautiful breed, an heritage of Tibetan culture, must retain every
characteristic which tradition has maintained untouched for over a
thousand years in its country of origin.
Mais où sont les neiges d'antan?
(But where are the snows of yesteryear?)
Y. de ZAROBE'
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