The following information is courtesy of the Canadian Dog Judges Association (CDJA).
DogShow.ca is a proud sponsor of the CDJA.
The CDJA delivers education programs to enhance the knowledge of conformation dog judges; liaises with the CKC to provide input on CKC decisions, policies and programs that affect conformation dog judging; and disseminates information to members so they can remain informed and united in their common goal of promoting critical breed characteristics and improving the quality of conformation dog judges.
The preparation of this CDJA guide to the conduct of oral exams in breeds approved by the Canadian Kennel Club was inspired by the similar guide published by the American Kennel Club (http://images.akc.org/pdf/events/conformation/Oral_exams.pdf). To paraphrase the introduction to that guide: The proficient judge alters his or her examination technique from breed to breed based on the priorities as defined by the breed standards. To do so requires interpretation as to what the standard is attempting to convey to the judge. Close inspection of a breed’s standard will determine the appropriate oral exam to conduct when judging that breed, which is an essential component of the breed specific exam.
Oral exams can be generally divided into four (4) categories which individually or in combination will constitute the correct oral exam for a breed:
This requires the judge separating the front of the lips to display the meshing of the incisor and canines or asking the exhibitor to “Show the bite, please”.
This requires the judge to separate the front of the lips to display the meshing of the incisors and canines AND the flews on each side of the mouth, so the judge may observe the pre-molars and molars on the upper and lower jaw for each or asking the exhibitor to “Show the teeth, please”.
Breed standards that include a DQ for pigmentation of the mouth but do not reference missing teeth or full dentition would require examining the “bite” and then opening the mouth to check for pigment of the mouth and/or tongue. An example would be the Chinese Shar-Pei, whose standard calls for a scissors bite but also states that the tongue, roof of mouth, gums and flews should be solid bluish-black except in dilute colours which have solid lavender pigmentation.
Breeds for which the standard includes a DQ for missing teeth will require that the front and sides be displayed and may include opening the mouth so the judge can effectively observe the molars.
undershot jaw
Please keep in mind that Conformation Show Rule 4.4.1 calls for dentition to be displayed by the exhibitor but allows the judge to proceed if the dentition is not automatically displayed by the exhibitor.
In practice, the exhibitor should be asked to “show the bite” or “show the teeth” depending on the requirements of the breed standard. The exhibitor may additionally be asked to “open the mouth” when necessary to complete the oral exam. In breeds where this is appropriate, the judge will personally conduct a thumb exam.
