Judge's Education

• GSMDCA Approved Mentor List for AKC Judges
• Judges Education Committee Contacts
• Breed Standard
• Breed Study Handout
• History of the GSMD
• Historical Photos of the GSMD
• Insights into the Standard Revision
• 2 x 0 - Is Better Than Mediocre Good Enough?
• Upcoming Events

Special Notes For Judges

• Judges are reminded that they should always give their awards to the best dogs in the ring and not necessarily to the biggest dogs present. Although the standard makes use of the word "powerful", please be aware that the word implies strength and power as well as size and substance. Proper evaluation of the GSMD will put great emphasis on the well-conditioned and athletic animal and penalize the overweight and out-of-shape dog. As a judge you will often be asked to pass judgment on a dog that is fat and could never perform its historic task as an all purpose farm dog -- such a dog is not a good specimen of the breed. Nor is mere height a virtue when it fails to be accompanied by the athletic balance and substance that make the correct GSMD. We ask the judges to always keep in mind that bigger is not necessarily better; the more correct dog is always better.
• The standard indicates that dogs are ideally 25.5 to 28.5 inches and bitches are 23.5 to 27 inches at the shoulder. Judges should be aware that neither the upper or lower end of these height ranges are preferred, but rather that the dog is balanced, in proportion (10 to 9) and is of a sturdy build for its height.
• Judges are reminded that Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are required to carry the characteristics of their sex. However, the fancy has a great deal of tolerance for doggy bitches. This tolerance does not extend to males who fail to be adequately masculine.
• The Swissys topcoat is black, however it is very common to see a tawny undercoat extending through the topcoat, usually on the neck and shoulders. This is not a desirable characteristic, it is much preferred for the undercoat to be as dark as possible (black or gray) and not be seen without lifting the topcoat. However an undercoat must be present. The best places to check undercoat is on the shoulder, neck or thigh.
• The standard goes into extensive detail about coloring and markings, however please keep in mind that we consider markings a cosmetic factor and some deviation a minor fault.
• Proper Swissy movement should not appear elegant or exaggerated, but rather you should see a powerful drive that could pull a cart or be efficient moving livestock. Judges should consider that Swissies which appear very elegant, light on their feet and able to "fly" around the ring as dogs that may not possess the amount of bone and substance desired for proper breed type.
• Judges should take notice that the Standard calls only for a scissors bite, missing teeth are not considered a fault.
• Judges should be aware that the temperament of the GSMD is of primary importance. Judges are asked to severely penalize shyness or aggression towards people exhibited in their ring.