The Judge's Role

What are the judges doing in the ring?

See-through Leonberger

Sometimes they may look a bit strange, but everything you see a judge doing in the ring is aimed toward evaluating the type and structure of our Leos. Type is a broad term that describes the overall appearance of a dog. Black masks, tight eyelids, large bodies, well-sprung ribs – these are just a few of the dozens of aspects that we define as Leonberger type. Structure refers to the angles, proportions, and interworkings of the musculoskeletal system; Leonbergers are designed to be capable of work and judges are looking for Leonbergers that can move well. Judges evaluating structure are looking for clean, balanced, efficient, easy movement and will spend time in the ring evaluating dogs as they move. Judges know exactly what to look for in our Leonbergers from our club-approved breed standard describing the ideal Leonberger. Soundness, the overall physical and mental well-being of a Leo, also receives serious consideration in determining placements. A serious judge will also carefully examine each dog to make sure it is free of disqualifying faults, serious deviations as defined in the breed standard, and will dismiss any Leonberger with a disqualifying fault.

What are the presenters doing in the ring?

Shannon show's her leonberger boy, Jack.

The exhibitors in the ring are striving to show their Leonbergers to the judge in the best light possible. You will notice presenters spending some time guiding their Leo’s head upward and moving their Leo’s legs so that the forelimbs and rear hocks are perpendicular to the ground and the topline is level. This process, called stacking, allows a Leonberger’s proportions to be easily visible, shows a strong “picture” of the Leo, and makes many aspects of structure easier for the judge to read. Leonbergers will be stacked for the judge’s inspection, where the judge examines the dog in detail. The presenter will help the Leo stand still as the judge examines the head for proportions, markings, and expression. Also the bite, how the upper jaw meets the lower jaw, and dentition, the number and placement of teeth, are examined. Typically, the presenter keeps the Leonberger standing as the judge examines the body to feel what is under all that fluffy coat to the skeleton beneath.

Darius does an excellent job of stacking for his handler/mom

Presenters will spend much of their time baiting or luring their Leonbergers by using a tasty tidbit to focus the Leo’s attention, to encourage an “up” attitude, and to steer the head. Handlers present their Leos on a show lead, a thin leash that blends into the neckline, to steer and control their Leo at all times. After assisting the judge with the inspection, handlers will gait their Leonbergers at a trot before the judge. A trot is when alternate (diagonal) front and rear legs are moving in the same direction at the same time; legs on any given side of the body will appear to open and close like a pair of scissors creating a picturesque gait that is quite stable. The exhibitor will often spend a fair amount of time presenting the side gait, a view of a Leo’s trotting side, to a judge.in the breed standard, and will dismiss any Leonberger with a disqualifying fault.