you regret asking me this question.  I address this to newcomers and those who have been in the breed less than 20 years.   Research pedigrees and photos of dogs from Christmas’ past.  Talk to long time breeders; learn the history of our breed.  Please don’t just look at ads of current winners and misleading “Top Breeder” statistics.  Keep in mind while looking at win photos that most judges awarding these wins do not truly know our breed (this includes some breeder judges).  Become a student of the breed, past and present.  We don’t need people coming into our breed who just want to win for their own ego and will sacrifice the integrity of the breed, even if unknowingly, for that purpose.

have gone too far.  It seems to be “the American Way”.  
At a recent specialty weekend a lovely 12-18 bitch (not owned or bred by me) won her class.  Another lovely bitch (co-bred by me) won the open class.  Both showed very well, but the open bitch got the nod.  During pictures the judge said the deciding factor was the 12-18 bitch let down slightly in the winners class.  Yes, I want them to show, but I do not want showmanship to be the deciding factor.  Tell me my dog had a better something according to the standard; the standard does not address showmanship.

After I make one more point, I will end this answer as I suspect

                    “Jason”
Ch Saxon Shore Amber Waves, ROMX

                 “Glow”
Ch Saxon Shore Golden Nugget

               “Maxine”
Ch Saxon Shore Flashing Lights
     AWC Top 20 1991

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EWhippetzine © 2007

                       Four Generations left to right
Ch Saxon Shore Flashback, Ch Saxon Shore Flash Dance,
Ch Saxon Shore Amber Waves, Ch Rafina Rhianda of Kamara