AKC Gazette Articles

November 1999

BUT, Does Function Follow Form????

The term "Form Follows Function" came into popular use earlier in this century as, for one, an architectural reference. A kitchen's design should be determined by the work done in the kitchen, and by the appliances needed to perform that work. As applied to dogs, this term has come to mean a dog's shape should be determined by whatever work that dog is intended to do. Therefore, a dog used to herd sheep would not be built in the same fashion as a dog used to bring back birds for a hunter, or a dog used to chase rabbits on its own. Since this column concerns Salukis, we will concentrate on running hounds.

What makes a good running hound? Those who hunt regularly learn there is more to a good running hound than just how it is put together. Stories abound of highly successful runners with what we might consider major "faults" - cow hocks, rough toplines, weak feet. Roger Bannister, the first human to run a mile in four minutes, lost half his toes as a youth; I've never heard of any human runners removing toes in an attempt to better his record. Winners often succeed in spite of, not because of, structural anomalies.Standards of performance breeds, such as Salukis, attempt to depict the ideal form of perfect function. They describe a chosen exemplary dog, AFTER it has achieved success in the field; these standards are not written to describe a nebulous dog the creators hope will be able to function as intended.What does all this have to do with function following form?

It's not enough to look like a kitchen if the appliances don't work. It's not enough that a Saluki seems to be built like a coursing dog if it has weak connective tissue. Without the opportunity to compete in the field, we can only postulate these dogs would be capable.An even worse interpretation of form and function comes from the application of a form or structure not applicable to the breed, or even species, in question. A well-known example of this would be applying to dogs information learned in horses. Many "known" points of structure, such as shoulder/arm angulation, "clean" movement coming and going, are based in facts learned from experience in horses, and are not specifically applicable to running dogs.

This application of cross-species requirements carries through into different dog breeds. "Long neck, sloping shoulder, upper arm set under, square body, distinct bend of stifle" describes many breeds of dogs, including some interpretations of the Saluki standard. Some people feel this makes a Saluki easier to judge by those not familiar with breed requirements. In this case, Function would Follow Form, since this form describes the Generic Show Dog.

When function moves away from the original intent, all too often the form begins to change. Over a time, some standards are rewritten to reflect the breed's new appearance. The SCOA continues to resist a rewriting of the standard, which would bring it into line with all the other standards, and reflect some changes in the breed over the past fifty years. It might make the standard easier to understand, but would it make for better understanding of the Saluki? Does function truly follow form? Not necessarily. Function can only be judged while functioning. Form, or appearance, is by itself a poor second choice for evaluating a dog. The ability to succeed competitively in the field depends on the dedication of the owner as well as the will and desire of the dog. All of these are prerequisites for success in field or ring.For an in depth monograph on this topic, written by the late Dr. Daniel Belkin, check out the SCOA home page http//www.saluki.com/scoa.

Any comments, arguments, discussions on these columns always welcome.

Monica Henderson Stoner
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