Are We Doing Enough to Keep Our Sport Alive?

BY MOIRA BRIGHT

“Our sport is dying.” These words have been said and printed so many times. August 19, 2018 is the date I went to my first dog show. I had seen plenty on TV; we have adopted the relatively new tradition of watching the Philadelphia Kennel Club show on Thanksgiving Day and we, of course, have watched Westminster. However, it was August 19–less than six months ago–when I first attended a dog show to observe in person.

In early July of 2018, I started taking Conformation training classes with Renee Jarrett. Renee, of course, is known for Beardies and Elkhounds and even she has admitted she had never thought much of Bulldogs. My Lewlu and I needed to have some one-on-one time since we had recently brought Hank in to our home. Lew is also known in our house as “Sweetness” due to her lovey demeanor and I had been told by a number of people, “You should show her.” Plus my kids started driving so I needed a way to spend my newfound free time. So off to class we went, and fortunately I have two things in my corner. First, I’m willing to try almost anything and second, when I find myself interested in something my quest for learning has no boundaries. Instead of showing on August 19, I observed and, much to my surprise, I actually sort
of understood what was happening. Many times during our first few classes, it was pointed out that this is literally the ONLY sport where newcomers, experts and professionals are all competing at the same time. After that first observatory show mission I was in class and Renee asked what I thought of the professional handlers and their dogs. I replied, “It was a relief to see that all of the bulldogs are wonderful and a little bit rotten.” The one thing that really stood out about the professional handlers and their dogs is that they aren’t fussing with one another. They were engaged and still while exhibiting total confidence and a bit of swagger.

September 1, I made my way an hour north to Cheyenne, Wyoming with Lewlu for our first show. Here is where I would like anyone who has made it this far to take note: I had no idea how painfully obvious it was that I had no idea what I was doing. If you encounter a person new to conformation, please help them have an experience similar to mine. Upon entering the venue, the superintendent introduced me to Karla Thompson who basically coached me step by step through the event. I felt welcomed.

Over the next couple of months I continued to hear and read those words, “Our sport is dying” or “the numbers are dwindling.” At the same time I have been seeking resources for information regarding shows, grooming, training, and have observed groups of hundreds of thousands interested in Bulldogs. This is such a paradoxical observation, how is it that the numbers in shows is going down while the interest in the breed continues to grow? Being new, I have a somewhat limited opinion, but hearing that statement so many times is what has drawn me to sharing the following observation.

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Posted by Alex on Mar 19 2019. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.