WEIGHING DACHSHUNDS IN THE RING The AKC breed standard for the Dachshund states: “Miniatures are not a separate classification, but compete in a class division of ‘11 pound and under at 12 months of age or older.’ ” If you are in doubt as to whether a dog’s weight complies with the given requirements for the Open Miniature class, you should weigh the dog. (See Rules Applying to Dog Shows, Chapter 14, Section 4, and Guidelines for Conformation Show Judges, “Weighing”). You should not be concerned with whether or not calling the scales might delay your judging. “Guesstimating” a dog’s weight or simply sending it to the end of the line if in doubt is simply not good judging practice. There are times when you may be required to weight an exhibit in response to an exhibitor protest. The weighing process is not as mysterious or complicated as is sometimes believed. If you are going to weigh an exhibit in your ring, immediately request your steward to call for the scale. Continue judging, if possible, while you are waiting for the scale. The Superintendent or Show Secretary will bring the scale to your ring, where it should be placed on a steady, level surface such as your table. There are various types of scales in use; some are a heavy-duty version of an ordinary bathroom scale, and the newest are digital. The Superintendent will show you how to use the scale provided. You must first calibrate the scale to make sure it is working properly and accurately. Again, the Superintendent or Show Secretary should instruct you in the correct calibrating procedure of the particular scale provide, but it generally means checking the scale’s accuracy with a 5-pound weight provided for the purpose. Let the exhibitor of the dog to be weighed see that the scale has been calibrated. If you are using a balance-beam type scale, set the scale to the deciding weight. For example, since the Dachshund breed standard requires the dog to be “11 pounds and under”, set the scales at 11 pounds. If the dog then weighs over 11 pounds, it is weighed out. You do not need to have an exact measurement of the dog’s weight; you need only to determine whether it is within the stated limits or not. After the scale is calibrated and set, have the exhibitor place the dog on the scale. The handler may lightly steady the dog with leash or fingers in necessary, but must do so in a way which will not influence the weight in any manner. Just as judges may insist that a dog be stacked and held correctly for a height measurement, the judge doing a weight determination should require that the exhibitor handle the dog properly. Most dogs of weighed breeds will cooperate sufficiently, holding still long enough to ascertain whether they do, or do not, weigh in or out. However, if a dog’s behavior is such that it is impossible to obtain an accurate weight determination, or if the exhibitor persists in handling the dog in a manner which affects the weighing, excuse the dog. Mark your book “Excused: unable to weigh.” (Don’t forget to initial!) If the dog’s weight is not in accord with the eligibility requirements of the class in which it is entered, mark your book, “Ineligible, weighed out.” The dog is considered to have been wrongly entered and may not be transferred to any other class at the show. In all cases be sure to clearly explain the results to the dog’s handler before he or she leaves the ring, and initial the notation in your judge’s book. When you check in with the Superintendent before judging you may wish to ask about the scale and familiarize yourself with it. If you then need to use it later in the day, you will know the type of scale that is being used when it arrives at your ring. You may of course call the AKC Field Representative for advice if you need to, but it is your responsibility as the judge to do the weighing and make your determination of a dog’s weight. | ||
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