The Problem with Dog Shows

by William Given

One of the wonderful benefits of being a columnist for The Canine Chronicle is it gives me a great reason to get out to shows and to talk to exhibitors. Last February, my wife and I at- tended the Rocky Mountain Cluster at the Denver National Western Complex. For the most, an excellent place for a show.

My wife and I were sitting ringside watching Juniors. In front of us were two mothers engaged in a conversation which we could not help but overhear. They were complaining about how far away they had to park and how much stuff they had to carry. My wife leaned over to me and quietly whispered, “they must have had to park in the same lot we did.” On the way home, she suggested that I write an article on the problems that exhibitors commonly experience at dog shows. I spent the next nine months talking to exhibitors in a number of different states in a variety
of different venues and the results are detailed for your review.

The problem begins with judges

On a certain level, I was surprised to find that the single greatest problem with dog shows (from the exhibitors’ point of view) was said to be judges and judging. I suppose, since our judges can only please the owners, exhibitors and breeders of the dogs that are “put up,” it should have not come as a surprise at all. The number of losers always seem to outnumber the winners. I would like to note for the record that good dogs lose. I have previously written on the topic, giving ten good reasons why. Owners should not, but too fre- quently do take their dog’s loss in the ring personally. When ex- hibitors respond to a query of this type, they do often lay the blame of their discontent at the feet of the judges.

A surprising number of exhibitors feel that judges do not take their role and responsibilities seriously. Of those exhibitors that ex- pressed the concern that judges do not take their responsibility se- riously, the vast majority recount an anecdote of the judge watching a dog in another ring while their dog, or another dog, was being gaited in their ring. I cannot argue this one. I have seen it myself, and far too many times. However, I too, while showing my dog in one ring have found my eyes following an especially “good mover” in another ring.

I know personally, a great many judges, and I know every single one of them take their job seriously and work hard to earn and keep the respect of the dog show community. They are knowledgeable on the breeds they have been approved to judge. The majority of the judges I know believe their commitment to the sport requires that they be a life-long learner. Not every person’s learning style is the same, so, you may find some judges watching breed videos and others reading illustrated standards. Where they have been formed, almost all judges are members of a judges’ study group that spon- sors breed seminars on a monthly or quarterly basis.

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Posted by Alex on Feb 14 2017. 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.