In these bulletins, we have spoken of Agility, Rally, and Therapy but left out Conformation.
Of course, it is not for rescues as all are spay/neutered. Conformation is a way of proving the soundness and breed type of a dog for future breeding.
However, as you are all dog lovers, you likely watch dog shows either in person or on TV so hopefully, this information will help you to enjoy them more. Some of our HRI Rescue volunteers also show in Conformation. Karen Duprat is one of them.
The Standard is the framework by which our breed is judged and it is printed on the Havanese Club of America website. Each breed has a Standard. To be a Champion a dog must win 15 points at a show and the points are awarded according to the number of dogs beaten in the ring. The dog is judged according to the Standard for the breed. The Judge goes over the dog with his/her hands on the table to check the construction, dentiton, expression, temperament, and coat. The movement is checked on the go around and the down and back. Then the awards are lined up:
-Best of Breed,
-Best of Opposite Sex (to Best of Breed)
-Best of Winners (the best non-champion),
-Winners Dog (the best non-champion male),
-Winners Bitch (the best non-champion female)
-Select Dog (the second-best male)
-Select Bitch (the second-best female)
and at Specialties and large shows also some Awards of Merit.
How Is a Havanese Judged?
Havanese judging has six critical elements:
Topline - the back is straight, but not level, rising slightly from withers to rump
Outline - Slightly longer than tall, with head, carried high and tail arched over back:
Gait - Springy, with moderate reach and drive, showing free reach and good extension. Not stilted. May show flash of pad coming and going.
Coat - Soft, silky, wavy, and abundant. Can be corded.
Expression - Broad back skull and large, dark almond eyes; correct ear set follows the line of the skull; full rectangular muzzle is slightly shorter than back skull. The expression is soft and intelligent, mischievous rather than cute.
Temperament - Intelligent, playful, sweet, and non-quarrelsome.