Page 137 - Aussie Magazine no1, 2023

Wildhagen’s
Dutchman of
Flintridge

The conservative approach

Another problem with fashion is that they
can change. What’s hot today may not be a
few years down the line. The wise breeder
will choose a conservative path, studying
the standard and selecting for traits that
don’t push the boundaries. Where variety is
allowed, as with ear sets in Aussies, she will
breed for what she wants and keep the dogs
that fit her criteria rather than cosmetically
improving those that don’t.

Breed standards exist to guide breeders
whatever Nature gave the dog, it becomes and judges in selecting the proper sort of
impossible to breed for the preferred set. dog for the breed. When not overly revised,
they help transmit the vision of the breed’s
Window dressing early supporters, who knew the breed as
Some might ask whether it really matters if it should be, down through generations
people’s preferences change the look of a breed. of breeders. The task of their heirs, the
It’s all cosmetic, and if someone likes one look breeders and exhibitors of today, is to
over another, why shouldn’t she breed for it? preserve and continue those traditions.
Obviously, there is nothing stopping people from
doing just that if they want to because it has been muzzles arose. The AKC breed standard reflects
going on for a long time; probably from the time this new preference, stating that the “muzzle is
people first started showing dogs. But every equal to or slightly shorter than the back skull.”
breed has its own unique history and traditions, While this muzzle type isn’t by any means
and the physical appearance of the dogs is part universal, it’s still frequent enough that someone
of that tradition. People are attracted to a breed unfamiliar with the breed historically might think
for what it is, not what they can turn it into. In it normal. Because a relative few generations of
theory, anyway. But some changes have more dogs have been selected for this look this fashion
than cosmetic impact on the dog and on its trend may have impacted the frequency of bad
owner. Sometimes they may even impact health bites in the breed. The Australians Shepherd
and soundness. Health & Genetics Institute’s breed health survey,
completed in 2010, found that 3% of the dogs
In years past the Australian Shepherd was not were reported as having bad bites.
particularly prone to over- or undershot bites.
They happened, but not with great frequency. In the worst case, the pursuit of fashion can
The Aussie’s muzzle is traditionally tapered and result in significant health and other issues for
approximately the length of the back skull. This the dog. Your breed may find itself painted into a
allowed for the full set of teeth in classic canine corner that is difficult to impossible to get out of.
orientation necessary in any function-bred dog If you doubt me, locate photographs of Bulldogs
that uses its mouth in the course of its business. from the mid-19 century then consider the
th
Several years back a fashion for shorter, blocker Bulldog today.

A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 1/2023 | 137