Judges know, some aren't incompetent (some are :rofl1
but they will put up what they want to put up on that day. The ones who can easily hide the faults to a T are the ones who generally have trimming down and understand the concept of what you can do with layers, etc... thus the dogs often look better, usually presented better, and those will win most of the time over the ones who do not do as good of a job in the grooming department, handling department, etc. regardless of if it's better than the dog "with the pretty hair do." Why do you think so many hire handlers?
I love showing, I just don't think it's the be all end all in seeing how well a dog conforms to the standard
There is a breeder in my breed that does this (most of the puppies she breeds must be finished, regardless of if it'll end up a pet). Word travels, people form opinions. It's not because all of her puppies turn ugly, either.
What's to stop ugly (I use the term nicely
), but older, dogs from finishing either? Because it happens all. the. time.