SaintBeau
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- Jun 21, 2009
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Honestly, you'd have to ask the people who wrote the standards. In general, the terrier breeds had their tails docked to provide a better "handle" for the terrierman to pull them from the holes with--tapering tails evidently slip more easily from the hand--and that is something that continues to this day. You'd be surprised at how many show dogs are actually used for hunting or trialing in events that are similar to hunting, so, really, those "handles" are still useful. That being said, I'm going to be working with someone who wants to import the TFT breed to the UK and attempt to have it recognized by the Kennel Club, so we are looking for TFTs with "natural bob" tails to introduce to the breeding program. Such dogs have existed in the bloodlines throughout the history of the breed and, as long as there are no physical abnormalities are associated with breeding NB to NB, I'm happy to work with it.
As to the eyebrows and whiskers, I don't approve of it and generally don't shave them (more than a few exhibitors agree with me, too), since it's a fad and not anything that has a positive effect on the dog's performance of its work. I believe that, since whiskers are sensory organs, they belong where God put them, thank you very much. I only gave in to the co-owner that one day, since it was the first time I ever handled a MinPin in the show ring. I have not made the same mistake in the past nine years.
To answer your question as to "why shave them?" the argument exists that doing so offers a better look at the shape of the head and muzzle, enabling the judge to better determine shape and adherence to the standard. I say, "Pffft," if Edd Bivins and his ilk can't tell the shape of my dogs' skulls by looking at them with whiskers and is unwilling to touch them with his hands, then that's a judge I can't credit with any skill" (all due respect to Mr. Bivins, he may have forgotten what a head with hair looks like--I'm just saying 
).To all and sundry, however: now that I've answered the question publicly, can we not hijack the thread? I just told my story as a funny in response to what I thought was a humorous picture, but I'd sure like to see more pictures instead of an OT debate.
