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‍Answers by Sid Marx

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‍"Are there grooming fads that drive you nuts?"

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‍The key word in this question is fads, and there are definitely grooming techniques that really turn me off. As one of our past Presidents said, “Let me be perfectly clear …” poor or incorrect (in my opinion) grooming will not be enough for me not to reward a good dog UNLESS that grooming ruins the picture of the dog or is against the breed standard. On the other side of the coin, neither will a perfectly (and properly) groomed dog be enough – on its own – to garner the win, but it certainly helps.

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‍I will give you a few examples. Let’s start with a very simple one. The Flat-Coated Retriever standard says, “Shaving or barbering of the head, neck or body coat must be severely penalized.” They are few and far between, but if a Flat-Coat would ever enter my ring with its throat shaved – as on an Irish Setter – it would be quickly moved to the end of the line or excused as being of poor quality or against the breed standard. Thankfully, this is not a common occurrence in this breed, and I credit that to the fact that the breed is mostly shown by owner-handlers, so the professional groomers don’t get their hands on them. Thankfully, the professionals who do show this breed, understand how the breed is to be trimmed.

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‍Here’s one that is a little more difficult. The Welsh Springer Spaniel standard says, “The ears and tail are lightly feathered. Coat so excessive as to be a hindrance in the field is to be discouraged. Obvious barbering is to be avoided as well.” Where does it say, that the ears are to be trimmed or the top of the ear shaved – as with the Irish Setters? To me, shaving the ear of the Welsh Springer destroys its expression, and seems to be an attempt to make it look like an English Springer Spaniel, The standard says, “The Welsh Springer Spaniel head is unique and should in no way approximate that of other spaniel breeds.” Also, ears “are shaped somewhat like a vine leaf and are lightly feathered.” Will I not reward a Welsh that is incorrectly (in my opinion) groomed? No, but I have told handlers who showed me dogs groomed like this that I think it is incorrect. Of course, they don’t care because it doesn’t seem to bother other judges who follow the fads.

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‍The Cocker Spaniel standard says, “Excessive coat or curly or cottony textured coat shall be severely penalized.” Of course, who is to say what is excessive? But if a Cocker Spaniel is shown to me, and the coat is such that I believe it destroys the lines of the dog or hinders its movement, I would not use that dog. That is excessive to me.

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‍The question asked about grooming fads so we don’t have to discuss what to do with a Terrier breed that has obviously been clippered – except for those rare instances where it is specifically allowed.

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‍Most of all, it is important to remember that every breed is NOT groomed or presented in the same way. Standards were written for a reason, and it is our job to protect the breed when we are judging, so grooming has some value, but should never keep a good dog our of the ribbons since grooming is a man-made thing. The dog should not be punished.

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‍Basically, anything that goes against the standard or is over-grooming is something that annoys me. 

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‍Enjoy your dog.

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‍Sid Marx, Thank you for reminding exhibitors that any type of fad or excessive grooming only takes away from a breed's standard and the correct breed type of the dogs we show and love.