I read the standard and noticed several conflicting traits that is called for.

"...not have so much coat as to impede activity or cause distress in hot weather." - Well I guess the Smooth Chows will take over the breed ring.

Eyes "oval shaped", "A matching coloured eye permissible in blues and fawns" - I thought the the breeds was asked to have an almond shaped eye and the eyes should be a dark brown to black.

Ears "carried stiffly and wide apart but tilting well forward over eyes and slightly towards each other, giving peculiar characteristic scowling expression of the breed - I understand that the ears should be tilted forward however, well over the eyes means that the ears needs to be carried parrallel to the skull, or the position needs to be carried forward. Plus, I don't understand what the ears have to do with the scowl, and also why must the ears be tiltled inwards aswell?

Hindquarters "moderate angulation" - Shows should be boycotted by Chow exhibitors, just for this same reason. I thought that the purpose of the any Kennel Club would be to preserve the dog of th past so that it would remain in the present, and still continue to be in the future.

Gait "Relatively short stride." - This cannot be acheived with a moderate angulation in the rear. Longer the hindlegs (to compensate for the angulation) the further it shall extend in the rear to drive the dog and extend forward.

Shane

Gurkan wrote on May 3^rd, 2009 at 11:48pm:


I know that Smooth Chows would not suddenly take over the ring, because there are other rough coated chows that doesn't have that overly bred in coat. So there would not be a sudden dislike of roughs. However I do not see that relevant to the standard, so to me that being added to the standard made no sense..

There is the Old English Sheepdog and the Pekingnese, they both have very long coats. The coat of an O.E.S. makes that of a Chow pale in comparison, and it doesn't impedes on its movement. The Peke's structure dictates it movements because of how it is built. I have even had groomed and shaved Pekes off completely, even afterwards they still hjad an ambling roll. Ps also a O.E.S. structure toltally differs from that of a German Shepherd Dog, so even when shaved you wouldn't have that movement.

A chow should be scissored (thinning shears) only for the purpose for neatness because "obvious trimming or shaping is undesirable". The only point to me is that if I am going to breed a Chow with an overly bred coat why should I have to trim it off.

Shane wrote on May 3^rd, 2009 at 12:48am:

A lighter eye has always been ok in the dilutes, just as the nose pigment never is black in those colours. [/quote]

I realized this later that night I posted it. I did not noticed that the Kennel Club goes by the FCI standard. I had no idea .So it differs from the A.K.C. which asks for "eyes dark brown, deep set and placed wide apart and obliquely, of moderate size, almond in shape", it doesn't gives allowance due to coat color.

Shane

Yes that actually made alot of since with out changing the standard.

Although the A.K.C. doesn't have that,  what I love about the standards is that "Elegance and substance must be combined into a well balanced whole, never so massive as to outweigh his ability to be active, alert and agile". However, what I really like about also is that "Exaggeration of any characteristic at the expense of balance or soundness shall be severely penalized". This allows breeders a little creatvity, however they should not cross a certain line.

Shane

Good evening!

I must confess the news about a new standard made me have the second thoughts about showing my Chows(mostly after I had the surprised to be judged so diferentlly by a LV judge, after two years of excellent results, Champion class with one of my Chows).
I wish I have more infos about the interpretation in the ring of this new standards - curious to see how judges will appreciate and judge from now on!
Would anybody have pictures with Chow Chow according to the new standard?I wish I could understand better what the expectations are(mostly because  am a breeder and often show my Chows in the ring) - many thanks for your help!
Another question: when judging, the number of teeth is essential or the bite? the standard states the following:
'Jaws/Teeth : Teeth strong and level, jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.'
What about a Chow who agressivly refuses to show teeth(it took 20 minutes to make him show a bit of his bite) and he is not disqualified, he is even awarded the best prize?
I must confess sometimes I have doubts that after about 20 years of breeding Chow,  I know anything about the quality of my Chows...and this is not encouraging at all both for the breed and breeders that face the same.

Quote:


but that's a good thing no?
I'm curious to see the long term impact of the new standards.

Probably one of the most difficult positions to be in would be to be a judge don't you think? No matter what decisions are made there will always be a difference of opnions on the judge's choice. It can't be an easy role, and I often wonder how many judges actually stick to the guidelines anyways??