“There are many breeds have which have a variety of colors that their breed standards permit to be shown, yet there seems to be a color bias while being judged in the show ring. Why is this? Is it harder to find quality in some colors than others or is it a matter of traditional preference?"

Good question – and very timely. Let’s first agree on what should be done. If a breed allows for various colors with no preference given to any one, then that is how they should be judged. There is no denying that some judges – and often they are breeder-judges who come from that particular breed – come to the ring with certain prejudices or preconceptions based on their own personal history in that breed. These judges just need to get past that and do their job. Sometimes it is easier said than done.

That being said, sometimes there are reasons for one color being more successful than another. I will stick my neck out even further than normal by using a specific breed as an example: English Cocker Spaniels. The standard allows for different solid colors or parti-colors. The standard also says, “Body-Compact and well-knit, giving the impression of strength without heaviness.” Over the years I have seen where – in general - solids may carry more substance than parti-colors on occasion. On the other side, parti-colors may have a more elegant head – not as heavy as may sometimes be seen on a solid. So, there is a trade-off where a judge may decide which is more important to him. Also, at a show that is inside, if the lighting is not great, watching the side movement on a black dog may be more difficult that on a parti-color. For me, an English Cocker should be as substantial as possible without being coarse, and proper angulation, good rear musculature (Cockery?), and a strong topline are important (not as much angulation or topline as may be seen on a Setter). So, is preference being shown to color or to things such as substance by a specific judge?

I also have owned and shown many solid-color English Cockers. Over the years, I believe solids have not won nearly as much as parti-colors, so do I subconsciously lean towards solid colors? I hope not, but I do try to give every dog in the ring equal evaluation, so if I put up solid colors perhaps more than other judges is that being partial or fair? I hope I am just giving every dog an equal evaluation.

I am not a geneticist, but I also think some attributes such as substance, coat quality, and other things are by-products of color.

There are also times that various colors seem to be stronger than others. As you know, Cocker Spaniels are shown in three varieties: Blacks, ASCOBS (any solid color other than black), and Parti-Colors. Sometimes, in one variety or another, either an unusually strong sire may come along, or a few litters are the result of a perfect fit, and one variety may be stronger than another during that period of time. Right now, I have seen some very nice Blacks and ASCOBs as I travel the country, but Parti-Colors seem to be particularly strong. Of course, that is only my opinion from what I have seen, and who knows when this trend shifts?

I think any variation may seem like there are preferences or prejudices shown – and perhaps, at times, that is accurate. Do Smooth Collies win as much as Rough Collies? Do Smooth Border Collies win as much as Rough? Do Tri-Color English Setters win as much as Orange Belton or Blue Belton (maybe this is just because there are not as many tri-colors shown. I happen to love a good tri-color).

How about English Springer Spaniels? When I started, most English Springers carried a lot of ticking in their coat. Today, ticking is much less common, and for some judges who have not seen a lot of this, this different look may be off-putting. It should not be, but there are a lot of things that should not be.

I often say – especially in my breed – it is difficult for many (younger?) judges to judge properly because they may never have seen a truly good example of that breed, and so are forced to follow the trend that they see. It takes knowledge, integrity, and courage to buck the trend.

Trends come and go, but real quality should always win out. Let’s hope so.

Have fun with your dog.

Thank you judge Sid Marx for your great answers to many of our exhibitor's questions.  They are always packed with your wisdom and experience.

For those of you who would like to hear more from Sid Marx, check out t his column, The Judge Marx The Spot in Dog News Magazine or online at: https://www.dognews.com/sid-marx-0