IMHO – Judges Talk About Educational Experiences

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170 – August 2019

By Elaine Lessig

We asked experienced AKC judges two questions about current issues affecting our sport.

Here’s what they had to say…

Elaine Lessig – AKC Judge

Describe the best educational experience you had in your many years of learning opportunities and why it was special.

Once upon a time, when I was beginning my foray into the sporting breeds, the English Cocker National was held not too far away. I had already been to Spaniel Club several times and had developed a concept of the breed. A Cavalier friend and I signed up for judges’ education and drove off on the appointed day. At the conclusion of the ringside mentoring when breed judging was complete, we were told to stay in our seats while the committee set up for the hands-on. Suddenly, grooming table after table appeared inside the ring quickly followed by a dog on it. We were asked to visit each table and go over the dogs. Each had a number. My friend and I started our examinations. The breed mentors, famous ladies of the breed, were circulating among the tables. As I was commenting about some of the dogs to my friend, I noticed I was being followed by one of those amazing women. With each move to another table, another of those ladies joined the others one by one. Finally, one of them introduced herself, asked me to follow her, and took me to specific tables to discuss some dogs with all of them. To say it was an opportunity of a lifetime to understand and define the breed is not to say enough. I am most grateful for their passion and ability to share their knowledge. Well done, ladies!!!

Describe the worst educational experience you had in your many years of learning opportunities and why it was so bad.

The quality of a Judges’ Education Committee depends upon who is on it to provide the education. After traveling a long distance to a national to spend several days in ringside mentoring, seminars, hands-on, and simply watching the dogs, I can share that I have learned more from breed mentors who have tutored me privately, at specialty shows, and all breed ones, too. The breed mentors at the national would say, “Now I am getting on my soap box,” more times than they should have. Instead of breed knowledge, I got personal preferences and pet peeves. If I shared positive comments about a dog they did not like, I was told what was wrong with it. Instead of learning more, I simply became frustrated. I got the certificate but none of the breed nuances I hoped to gain.

Karolynne McAteer – AKC Judge

Describe the best educational experience you had in your many years of learning opportunities and why it was special.

Well, I am going to cheat and answer with a “twosee” here. Attending a National of any breed is always the best choice! Total immersion in the breed, listening ringside, finding a mentor if they don’t have a formal judges ed. You see more than you will ever see any other place, and have the opportunity of seeing all those entries from pups on up and getting to “paint your picture” in your mind. BUT…when I think of a single event that influenced my plan to get more breeds, I think of the AKC’s first Advanced Sporting Institute, in San Jose, CA in 1998. Yes, that many years ago. It had the buzz of being a “first.” Presenters were legends of many breeds, but most definitely legends in Sporting. Evening dinners were full of laughter and story telling. Every breed presented was in depth and you were challenged in your knowledge when LOOKING at dogs on the table.
Day two, we all sat on a hill and watched sporting dogs do their work (by the way there were tarantula on that hill!!). Retrievers retrieved, setters set, spaniels flushed and pointers pointed. It was beyond believeable and to this day the education and memory of it is very strong!

Describe the worst educational experience you had in your many years of learning opportunities and why it was so bad.

A common flaw in dog education is too much history. History can be read and re-read. If I have half an interest I have read the history and much more before I go to a class/educational event. What I am looking for is the opportunity to hear and see the form and function of the breed. To understand why the eye is so shaped, why the tail is so set, what topline is preferred while a slightly different topline is acceptable. A discussion of the particulars that make this dog the breed that he is. I can read where he came from, and what breeds are in his DNA. I want all the time spent on the why and how of the breed. Well, as the title says, this is IMHO. Thanks for the opportunity to speak.

Donna Ernst – AKC Judge

Describe the best educational experience you had in your many years of learning opportunities and why it was special.

Most seminars can be informative and enlightening, but it is not always about seminars for education. Being in the medical field for over 35 years, I could not make a mistake as it would cost a patient their life. In dog judging, I have made mistakes but I always try to reward the best dog, so education is key and continuing education, just like in medicine, is a must! Attending National Specialties is a good way to learn and discuss the breed with breed mentors. Of course, that is not always possible due to cost, travel, timing, etc. I would love to see webinars and videos set up, if at all possible, during Specialties so you can learn from the comfort of your home or hotel. Ringside mentoring is key to having a valuable experience, as well as long term mentors. One of the best educational experiences in Sporting Dogs I had was at the Michigan Sporting Dog Association Group. Not only did you get a seminar, workshop hands-on, but most valuable was to see form and function with the breeds doing land and water work. It is truly unfortunate this seminar is no longer to be for those judges pursuing Sporting breeds.

Lastly three highly recommended books to further my education and constant review are:

1. Encyclopedia of K9 Terminology
2. An Eye For A Dog
3. Practical Anatomy & Movement – A guide for Judges

Describe the worst educational experience you had in your many years of learning opportunities and why it was so bad.

Some presenters are stronger than others. In my honest opinion, I really haven’t had any bad experiences. I want to learn from different people whether or not they bring the best dogs for hands-on experience or not. To always see the best dogs doesn’t help judges learn the incorrect ones. Many clubs do not have illustrated standards which, in my opinion, is a huge learning opportunity! I have always believed that if I could acquire one thing during an educational experience, then that learning opportunity was a success! Whether it be breed type, balance or soundness, I have never walked away not attaining something.

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Posted by AnthonyA on Aug 20 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.