[Jacob-list] Showing

[Heather Hettick]

Mary,

I guess I'm coming from the point of view of dog showing where individual
traits are often spelled out as clearly as possible in breed standards as
compared to the JSBA's range of what is considered to be a Jacob.  In my
basenjis, ideal sizes where spelled out as well as things like the ideal
ratio of muzzle length to total head length, shape of foot, placement of
ears, set of tail, shoulder angles, etc.  This sort of standard attempts to
imprint the same ideal picture into the heads of all breeders and judges
with the purpose of  minimizing subjective interpretation - and
standardizing the breed type.  I don't see the Jacobs standards as doing
this, although I do have a picture in my head of what I consider an ideal
Jacob.  I just doubt if any other breeder would have exactly the same
picture and it gives plenty of room for individual interpretation and allows
lots of variation - which I am glad of.  I just think it would be really
hard to objectively judge one Jacob over another if they are all within the
basic guidelines and didn't have obvious faults without using personal
opinion.

I really like the JSBA's guideline-like standard as opposed to the AKC's
"this is THE way a perfect basenji is supposed to look" standard.  It's a
great standard to work with in breeding a breed with so much variation, but
I don't think it's really made to show to.

About the "parts" classes - that is more of a "just for fun" idea.  I guess
I look at my flock and I have sheep with wonderful fleece and markings but
horns I wouldn't be totally happy to parade in public or are pretty to look
at from a distance but have short or scratchy wool.  When I went to these
puppy matches it was fun and exciting for people with non-showing dogs to
participate in fun classes and have a little prize or ribbon to take home
won by their not entirely show quality pup who had that one outstanding
characteristic or achievement.  As I thinking about it from a different
standpoint though, sheep are rarely pets the way dogs are and those we have
are almost all breeding animals so we might not want to show off things like
our "most unusual horns."

I too like the idea of a Jacob fleece competition because I'd like to get a
neutral person's opinion on the fleeces of my sheep, and the card grading
idea sounds really interesting too.  Maybe that sort of judging could allow
for all the acceptable variations in Jacobs better and could be more
educational for breeders too.  It is truly helpful to get the opinion of a
more experienced judge or breeder but it's no fun to lose and not understand
why.

Heather Hettick
Moonstruck Jacob Sheep
Creston, OH
hettick.1 at osu.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: jacob-list-admin at jacobsheep.com
[mailto:jacob-list-admin at jacobsheep.com]On Behalf Of Jim Spahr
Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 11:19 AM
To: Jacob List Members
Subject: [Jacob-list] Showing


  Heather & all,

  The JSBA has always had a breed standard.  If you have received the new
Guidebook, you will see the breed standards included.  Someone had asked
what card grading is.  I am sure there are others on the list who have a
clearer idea than I have of what card grading entails.  I believe that the
sheep are graded as excellent, good, fair, or unsuitable, rather than a
first place, second place, etc.
  I like the idea of a Jacob fleece contest (shorn), but have serious
reservations about awards for "best markings", "best ears", etc.  I think
the total animal should be evaluated, instead of focusing on color patterns
or another single trait.


Mary Spahr
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