Table Talk
Have you ever shown a class animal, won the points with the major only being in your sex and been asked to “lay down” on your dog so the dog of the opposite sex can get the crossover for a major? There has been a great deal of discussion about this recently with a couple different schools of thought being offered: Some feel that their dog should always look their best, and one should never do any less than show their dog to its maximum potential. Others feel that, at some point, most will need a similar favor and therefore doing what one can to “throw” the points the other way is the “sportsmanlike” thing to do. Leaving fate in the hands of the judge would dictate that the dogs should be shown to look their best. However, with entries being down and majors being difficult to find, one might say helping their fellow competitor a bit wouldn’t be a bad thing. There have been cases where handlers have suggested to the judge that the major is in the other sex. Exhibitors beware! This practice is against AKC regulations and a judge can file a complaint and one could get suspended. Even though majors are tough to find these days, my own position is what is meant to be will be. I personally would not ask someone to not show their dog to its maximum potential so my dog could win.
There have been increasing requests from exhibitors to AKC Field Representatives and Show Chairpersons to have a practice ring available at shows. Such a ring was made available at the recent shows in Jackson, Tennessee and it was a huge hit. Having a practice ring available could actually be a great fundraising tool as many exhibitors have indicated they would pay for the opportunity to work their dog in a practice ring at a show. Show Committees may want to consider jumping on the bandwagon and adding a practice ring or two if space allows.
The Virginia Kennel Club will be offering a great educational opportunity at the end of April. A seminar focusing on Breed Type in a Breeding Program will be held on April 29 & 30, 2017. It will be presented by Pat Trotter, David Fitzpatrick, Beth Sweigart and Doug Johnson of Bugaboo Old English Sheepdog fame. That’s a lot of years of knowledge and experience! It’s not often that you can find this kind of breeding experience in one room, let alone have the chance to listen and talk to those experts at length. Folks can contact Dr. Robert Smith at (804) 769-0113 for more information.
I heard that Ric Plaut had more knee surgery. I truly hope that his fall at the Beverly Hills Kennel Club did not cause additional injury and we wish Ric a speedy recovery. I hear he will have another 6 weeks of rehab. We hope to see Ric back in the ring as soon as he’s ready!
I was saddened to hear about the passing of judge Ken Miller at the age of 86. Our sincere condolence to his friends and family. The fancy has lost yet another great judge and one of the nicest people you ever met.
Congratulations to Kate Batzner and Mike Berry on their recent engagement! These are two wonderful people who deserve all of the happiness life can offer.
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