Table Talk – June 1, 2018
I just returned from the Mission Circuit in Southern California; a cluster with a 30-plus year tradition of greatness. Arlene and Lowell Davis and Loran Morgan along with their Committee work very hard to make this circuit a fun, positive experience for exhibitors and spectators. The venue is great, and they pay attention to all the important details. Kudos to all for your hard work and dedication, and for addressing any problems that came up in a timely and efficient manner!
When the American Kennel Club established the National Owner Handler Series (NOHS), I believe they had two primary goals in mind: 1) to encourage owner-handlers to special their dogs and increase their opportunity for success, thereby keeping them in the sport and 2) to bring in more revenue. My concerns about this program continue to be the same as when it started: AKC’s position has always been that judges should judge the dogs, regardless of who is at the end of the lead. The existence of this program contradicts that position as the eligibility requirements rely primarily on the handler, not the dog. This, in my opinion, differs from the Bred by Exhibitor class, which gives a breeder the opportunity to exhibit their dog against those of other breeders. This is the heart and soul of our sport: without breeders, we would not have the sport of purebred dogs.
I hear from some owner-handlers that feel they are being slighted because of their participation in the NOHS. They think judges are giving preferential treatment to professional handlers and not giving them their due. I would like to point out that there are record breaking, history-making dogs with records that will be tough to beat in our lifetime that have been owner-handled. These dogs (and handlers) got to where they are competing against the professionals. They did it with many hours of hard work, and blood, sweat and tears. I encourage all owner-handlers to keep up the good work and watch and learn so you, too, can compete with the professionals. I go back to the reason AKC established the program: To level the playing field. Take this opportunity to learn. Go out there with the best dog, in the best condition, trained to perfection and give those professionals a run for their money! Defy that judge to not look at your dog. I had an owner-handler say this to me over the weekend: “If I want to level the field as much as possible, I have to work as hard, train as much, and present my dog as perfectly as possible. I can’t expect the judge, in 2 minutes, to get through barely adequate grooming, a dog that doesn’t free stack and drops his head, and crabs on the down and back and reward that dog. If I expect a judge to find my dog, I need to respect the judge and my dog enough to go in the ring and make him impossible to overlook.”
The Plainfield Kennel Club in New Jersey cancelled their Sunday show this past weekend due to flooding. Kudos to them for having the safety of all as their top priority.
Many of us celebrated Bill McFadden’s 60th Birthday party this past weekend thanks to the kind hospitality of photographer Vicki Holloway. Great food and good friends made for a lovely way to end a very long Saturday.
Carol Grossman and Keith Pautz went to visit Moe Miyagawa this past weekend to offer encouragement to him as he rehabs from a serious illness. Moe is working hard to get well and benefits from words of encouragement from all his friends. I know you all join me in wishing him well!
Linda Mattson is undergoing treatment for bone marrow cancer. Her sister will be donating bone marrow after her chemotherapy treatment is complete. She will be in isolation for 6 weeks post-treatment and can use all of our good thoughts and prayers. I will keep you posted on her progress.
Unfortunately, the Roy Jones online show entry system was down again for a couple of days. They said the interruption of service was due to an internet service provider problem. They are back up and running now. Hopefully they will consider getting a back-up service provider to avoid this problem in the future.
When judges are assigned to breeds they don’t judge frequently, or have less experience with, I hope they take the time to review the standard prior to entering the ring. It does not seem appropriate to me to ask an exhibitor about the standard while judging their exhibit. We are all equally responsibly for walking into the ring prepared, aren’t we?
Doug Johnson and Jamie Hubbard are off on a trip to Norway. I can’t wait to see photos of this journey! Meanwhile, Eddie Dziuk and Jeff Sossaman are enjoying the beautiful Irish countryside. Safe travels my friends! Enjoy!
As summer is now upon us and temperatures are rising, please remember to test your temperature alerts and make sure those generators, air conditioners and power systems are in good working order! It’s always good to leave windows open in case things fail. Also, please remember that our dogs are walking barefoot, and their feet can be burned by hot asphalt or concrete. As a point of reference, when the temperature is 77 degrees, the asphalt is 125 degrees, when the temperature is 86 degrees, the asphalt is 135 degrees and when the temperature is 87 degrees, the asphalt is 143 degrees. Skin destruction can occur at 125 degrees! If you are unsure, take off your shoe and put your bare foot on the pavement! Remember, our canine friends cannot say no!
Happy anniversary to Luke and Rowan Baggenstos. May you have many more years of wedded bliss ahead of you!
Celebrating birthdays this week are: Olivia Hodgkinson, Connor McFadden (Bill, how can you have a son that is 30??), Mardee Ward-Fanning, Kat Moyer, David Daugherty, Jake Haycock, Lori Wilson-Paust, Jennifer McClintock, Lynn Meyer, Greg Smith, Kim Booth, Guy Fisher, Jody Garcini, Shawn Nichols, and Dennis Melear.
Best of luck to everyone and please don’t forget to reach out to that new person in the ring. Also, say thank you to the show committees for their effort. Travel safe! Until next time…
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