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The Working Group lssue: June - 2008
The hot topic around the rings these days seems to
be, as usual, the quality of judging. Big surprise, huh? Unfortunately,
this subject has been beaten to death for longer than I have been
alive and it seems to be a problem that just won’t go away. However,
the lack of quality judging seems to have become a bigger problem
as of late.
I have written, on more than one occasion, about some of the problems
facing judges, the judges department and, most importantly, exhibitors.
I am hesitant to tackle the subject again at the risk of just repeating
my and others’ ideas, but here I go anyway.
As I see it, there are several problems that mightily contribute
to poor adjudication in the ring. No, it’s not the heavy promotion
of dogs; it’s not handlers and dogs chasing judges around the country;
and it’s not the lack of quality stock supplied by exhibitors.
Those are all factors that can be controlled by the judge in the
ring. They don’t have to point at the heavily-promoted dog; they
don’t have to put up a dog or handler that chases them from show
to show; and they can easily withhold ribbons from sub-par specimens.
The problems faced by today’s judges are myriad. First, for many
judging has become an occupation and important source of either
primary or secondary income. This has led to a number of judges
acquiring breeds at lightning speed in the hopes of becoming a
multiple group or all-round judge. Unfortunately, the acquisition
of these breeds is motivated by the desire to judge more dog shows,
not to become proficient in said breeds or to protect the breeds
according to their standard. Consequently, many people are passing
judgement on breeds they know little about and they have little
interest in knowing about them. This is a cause of major concern.
Another problem is the proliferation of dog shows over the last
decade. Frankly, there are too many shows. This has led to a decline
in entries at most shows across the country. The shortage of entries
has forced many kennel clubs to hire multiple group judges for
their shows. These judges are able to handle a diverse group of
breeds and groups while keeping travel costs (a large part of the
cost of judging) at a minimum. Unfortunately, this has resulted
in many judges who have several breeds or a single group to be
wholly ignored by show chairmen trying to break even or make a
profit. The result of this dilemma is that the same judges are
judging most shows across the country. Consequently, we get the
same opinions week in and week out. If this continues over the
next century, you will see the gene pools of many breeds begin
to weaken as a few dominant lines fill the pedigrees of most breeds.
There are many other problems facing AKC dogs shows and those who
adjudicate them. Those mentioned are only the tip of the iceberg,
but page space does not allow in-depth discussion of any or all.
The bottom line is that judging has become, in some cases, a means
of income as well as a social respite for those involved. For every
person that enters the ring to truly look at breeding stock with
the intent of being a guardian of the standard, there is one who
comes to the show to get a check and see their friends.
Judging is hard work, there is no doubt. However, judges are the
keepers of our sport; they are responsible for keeping breeders
and exhibitors on the right track. It’s not up to the handlers,
it’s not up to the breeders, it’s not up to the magazines, it’s
up to you, the judges.
T.G.
• • • • •
:: June 2008 Issue ::
Multiple
All Breed Best In Show & Multiple Best In Specialty Show Winner
#1 Schipperke All
Breed and Breed*
· #3 Non-Sporting Dog*
Ch.
De LaMer's Beach Blanket Baby
One of America's Tog Dogs Amongst
All Breeds*
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Having just tied the breed record for number of Bests
in Show won by a schipperke, Ch. De Lamer’s Beach Blanket Baby
is proud to stand as the number One Schipperke*, number Three Non-Sporting*
and Number Twenty All Breed*.
Thank you to everybody who has been “Beached” along the path of
this amazing girl’s career. Sincere appreciation is extended to
all who have recognized her fine schipperke qualities that represent
the epitome of the breed standard.
As her owner, I am indebted to Krista Nuovo for her vision with
her breeding program, her early recognition of Beach’s potential,
and for Krista’s willingness to allow me to own such an extraordinary
dog whom I treasure and adore.
A heartfelt thank you goes to John Penatello for his tireless efforts
on my behalf and as Beach’s best friend and handler. Both Beach
and I are grateful for his passion for always presenting her to
her maximum potential, keeping her in top condition, and his willingness
to go the extra mile in furthering her career.
Most of all, thank you to Beach for just being Beach.
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