MAIS OU SONT LES LHASAS D'ANTAN?
But where are the yester Lhasas?
When the S.C.C (French Kennel Club) changed the C.A.C. (Aptitude Certificate
to Championship) into C.A.C.S. (Aptitude Certificate to Standard Conformity ),
they took a real wise and courageous stand which no doubt must have delighted
every true dog-lover.
This decision probably came after the beginning drift in judgements which
favourised brio of presentation to the prejudice of standard conformity. I
cannot tell whether, for any of you, this new attribution of the C.A.C.S.
allowed preserving the authenticity of most breeds, at any rate, I hope this was
so, but, in so far as the breed which I have particularly at heart, is concerned
the Lhasa Apso, I fear this was no more than wishful thinking.
Otherwise, how could you understand that in a breed whose ideal size should be
25,5 cm for males (females being sligntly smaller) champions measuring 30 and 32
cm have been crowned whose progeny sometimes happened to be refused confirmation
owing to their too large size !
One cannot help wondering how it has been possible with the same standard to
judge dogs as dissimilar as the Lhasa Apso as we first knew them and the present
<<modern Lhasa>>.
What has become of the breeders who are lucky enough to own dogs of the first
and beautiful stock.
None of them are ever, or hardly ever, seen in the rings. In the last French
Championship on 6th June 1997 there was not one to be seen.
Breed Pioneers in Europe
The great pity is that they left place for the new ones, for they had not
realised what a unique genetic potential they had in hand of priceless value
nowadays seeing it has practically disappeared
Those of you who still own dogs of this type dating back to the former Hamilton
and Anapurna stocks should have the courage to come back and should not allow
today's stars to impress them, for very soon, quite certainly they will be
needed.
Annapurnas LA 1962 Annapurnas
The S.C.C. ought already to make it compulsary for posters of the standard to be
billed up in the rings. This would remind every one that a value of the breed
doesn't lie in the dog's grooming and the way in which it is presented but in
the respect of the characteristics with which nature has endowed it.
Exhibitions should not be confused with shows (spectacles). Of course, nature
must be helped but it must not be distorted? Unfortunately this is what happened
with the Lhasa Apso. Every thing has been altered; its morphology, its gaits,
its fur, its attitude and even its colours.
Original vs American type
Regarding the morphology, size is not the only problem; the general bearing of
the dog is different with a very highfront leg prolonging a long neck. Either
they are very heavily boned and their weight is about 9 or 10 kg. or else, they
are no substance. In either case their outrageously long-haired fur brides their
defects.
Their gait with back paws lifted high up to show the pads is not an Apso feature
As to the fur, cosmetics may do all kinds of things but they can't give back
goat hair!
Where are the lovely black ear fringes, where are the black beards and
moustaches? They are still to be seen, though very rarely, on certain shaded
grey dogs. On the other hand, one sees lots of a pale apricot colour vaguely
similar to that of certain american cockers.
How can such a change have occured whithin the last few years?
1 - Lack of rigour with regard to the standard and, in certain countries, non
respect of the standard.
2 - Exaggerated selection in view of obtaining a more spectacular type of
<< show dog >>. This unavoidably leading to degeneration due to the
many qualities lost on the way.
3 - Mixing with different breeds in order to obtain the desired type. Whatever
the reason and perhaps all three at once, there is no cause for rejoycing.
American type
As to the exhibitions, which ought to be presentations and not spectacles, much
would be gained by being somewhat more natural.
Do away with the leashes which stretch the cervical vertebrae almost strangling
the dog to make him fly and to give him the so called elegance of a lovely neck;
instead use supple leashes which allow the dog to be lively and to walk
naturally.
As o the stand position (campé) so much in demand nowadays, I'll leave the
floor to Dr LUQUET :`
<< A number of exhibitions presents their dogs 'campés' on their hind
quarters whereas the front legs retain their normal balance. When they say that
in such a position the dog is 'well placed' they are mistaken in this connection
>>
The best way to express our opinion is to quote what Professor BRESSON has
written << this leads us to regret the manner (of anglo-saxon origine) in
which too many dogs are presented in the rings, their hind legs exaggeratedly
pulled backwards, extension rearwards, the top directed upwards, this artificial
position being further accentuated by the owner who places one hand under the
chin and the other at the bend of the knees; such being a current practice in
the American exhibitions. The silhouette thus obtained may be elegant, pleasant
to the eye; it is conventional, illogical and makes it impossible to issue a
reasonable judgment. It prevents the conformation and the balance of the dog.
>>
Mlle duPont and Suzy Solidor at an early 'exhibition'
I also wish to add the following excerpt from one of Professor QUENNEC's
articles << for exhibitions, the tenet advocates hand presentation which
allows hiding any anatomic defects. The attitude described in resting on the
from legs, head up and hind quarters down. This gives the animal plenty of brio
but such an attitude is one of aggresive threat often associated with hidden
fear. In the U.S.A Humphrey and Warner followed by many other authors, find
strong negative correlation between a balanced temperament and vistories in
exhibitions >>
I leave to each one of you to meditate on the opinions of the men of science,
who knwo, far better than mere dog-lovers what corresponds to animal's
morphology. If only we would listen to them !
All of us, such as we are judges, breeders, amateurs, we all share in the
responsability of maintaining the species. It is our duty to preserve them, to
respect them and not to modify them according to our tastes, our fancies, our
vanities and our insterests. They are not our slaves, but living beings to whom
we owe protection.
If man with his unconcious, has allowed 2 500 species of animals and plants to
disappear within the five last years, in so far as I am concerned this very
ancient and beautiful breed, heritage of Tibetan culture must retain every
characteristic which tradition has maintained untouched for over a thousand
years in its country of origine.
Dolma-the eyes of a true Lhasa Apso
Mais où sont les neiges d' antan ??
But where are the snows of yester years??
