[Animals] This is how the best working dogs in competitions are chosen

[FNX Magokiler]

Wicked, a three-year-old Doberman pinscher, emerged victorious in the American Kennel Club's 2023 Working Group contest Sunday afternoon.

Just the opposite of what her name might suggest (in English it means "wicked"), Wicked maintains a calm but commanding presence. This remained the case even when she won the Best of Breed award from her that same day. Wicked seemed to be the crowd favorite: every ounce of her compact, muscular body was bursting with energy.

In the AKC, "working dog" is a category, like sporting dog, although judges do not evaluate the dog's actual occupation. Instead, they look for the characteristics that dogs have perfected over thousands of years of domestication.

During the competition, the dogs' movements on the track demonstrate whether they are physically prepared for the task for which they have been bred. Dobermans who trot at high speeds, for example, must keep their backs straight and "single track," meaning their paws move in a single line, a configuration that would allow them to move in a straight line toward an attacker.

First bred as guard dogs in Germany in the late 19th century, Dobermans have a fearless, loyal and obedient temperament. Skittishness, such as overreacting to a sudden loud noise, or belligerence, such as being aggressive toward another dog, will not deduct points from the judges.

 

 

The animal should also be square, with a flat back, a 45-degree shoulder angle, a wedge-shaped head, and almond-shaped eyes. Having four or more missing or misaligned teeth can also disqualify a Doberman.

Gina DiNardo, assistant vice president of the AKC, was not a judge at the event, but says she "grew up raising and showing Dobermans with my parents, who had some of the best Dobermans in the history of the sport."

Wicked "embodies many qualities exactly as described in the breed standard," says DiNardo, and "is trained and conditioned to perfection."

Overall, working dogs help people "and improve their lives in many ways," she adds. For example, detecting bombs, providing emotional support or sniffing out diseases such as cancer or diabetes.

Against the clock
The AKC, the largest dog show in the United States, hosts nearly 10,000 dogs in various competitions, from Best in Show to Fastest Dog USA. In the 2023 event, held at the Orlando (Florida) Convention Center, 31 working dogs participated.

The 31 dogs of the Working Group were chosen that same day in the Best of Breed competitions.

Among the participants was an Akita, an ancient Japanese breed that protected families. These animals prove their worth by stoically and silently concentrating on a treat.

 

https://www.nationalgeographic.es/animales/2023/12/concursos-caninos-eleccion-mejor-perro-trabajo-ee-uu