Copyright © 1998 Walt Zientek
(The following Standard is merely a suggestion. Feel free to
exercise
your right to modify the Standard to suit your individual
taste. We
apologize ahead of time, for offending ANYONE!)
General Appearance: CAN be that of a strongly built, short
coupled,
very active dog. It CAN, however, be leggy, weedy, sleepy,
dopey
or lazy looking. It MAY be wide over the loins, but remember,
tight
abs DO indicate fitness and body-awareness.
Head: Each dog SHOULD have one. If it does, it will probably
contain
two eyes, one nose and a mouth. One ear on each side would be
nice,
at least for a sense of balance, but is not mandatory.
Expression: Please feel free to express yourself! It simply
isn't healty
to keep things bottled up inside!
Body: Look, the Media has presented an ideal that NO ONE can
live
up to. We have been brainwashed into self-loathing by these
unreal
images. We will no longer be bound to such unreachable
standards!
ALL bodies are BEAUTIFUL! Besides, some of us are just
big-boned.
Legs and Feet: The ideal number here, is four of each, but
that's not
written in stone or anything.
Tail: As this is a distinguishing feature of the breed, we have
to get a
little tough on this one. (SORRY!!) We must insist that the
dog has one.
Or had one. Or really really wishes that it did. (The
committee is sorry
to be so rigid, but SOME members got a little bit
'testy' on this issue.)
Coats: The coat should be short, dense and free from feather,
BUT,
contemporary, ethnic and cultural styles allow for individuality.
Bad-
Hair days are a fact of life and 'bald' can be a political
statement. If
your Lab is so Hair-Challenged that it needs to actually
wear a coat,
or sweater, remember that Animal Skins are de
classe.
Color: We simply shall NOT discriminate by color! Why, the very
idea!
We also formally apologize for the discrimination that has
occurred
in the past. We welcome Silver, Hailstone, Vanilla, Golden,
Black and
Tan, Blue Merle, Pied, ASCOB, Blue, Cream, Harlequin and
Mauve to
our ranks.
Movement: This isn't ABSOLUTELY necessary. It is simply easier
if
the dog doesn't have to be carried into the ring. On the other hand,
it
would be nice if those dogs who are, shall we say, 'active', could
stop
moving long enough for the Facilitator to look. (Note: the word
'judge'
has been changed to 'facilitator' as it is far less
judgemental.)
Weight and Size: (See: Body)
Faults: Offending Anyone.
Disqualifications: No Dog shall be disqualified for any reason.
We
certainly don't want to lower anyone's self-esteem.
Last modified: 8-19-2000
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