“I tell my veterinary students that, unless another infectious disease comes along that we don’t yet know about, such as covid-19 did in humans, Bartonella will cause them more problems in their careers than anything else.”
Anyone who has had a Judeo-Christian upbringing has no doubt read Genesis and knows the story of the Creation. But what the Old Testament chroniclers didn’t mention was this: That in the beginning, after creating the heavens and the earth along with all the creatures that inhabit it, after resting for awhile from his arduous work, God’s creative juices again began to flow. And, so after He created a number of other things, when he reached for a fist full of good sense for His next project, He’d run out of it. But, no matter. Rather than wait until more could be made, God simply created bird hunters instead.
All dog judging poses risks. Especially judging field events, as I learned on numerous occasions during the 15 or so years that I judged all three types of hunt tests although even in such sedate and highly controlled worlds as the show ring or at performance events there are perils. Judges are always at the mercy of the elements at field events or outdoor shows and it is almost always too hot, too cold, too rainy, too windy or too snowy for comfort. It is frequently necessary to deal with irate handlers or owners in the field or at performance events who are incensed because you failed to give their dog a qualifying score even though the dog’s performance was light years away from the minimally accepted standards for that event or in the show ring, because their dog wasn’t the winner. It is always necessary, particularly at field events, to make the test run smoothly and fairly for all dogs which means being something of a diplomat because of the need to try to keep everyone, including your staff, happy and as comfortable as possible. If your staff is unhappy, they can sabotage the most beautifully designed test or test site and the success or failure of a test design is always ultimately the judge’s responsibility.
Last month we demonstrated the power of three little words judges use to describe themselves, how exhibitors perceive them, and the impact they have on their judging. Now the tables get turned. We asked two newer breeder-judges and a judges’ education chair to share their specific descriptions of good judges and the judging community in general. These questions were asked and answered prior to the April edition of The Canine Chronicle being published.
Did those responses coincide or collide? This look into the minds of members of the judges’ community and those who breed, teach, judge and exhibit, presents a unique and remarkable insight to our dog show world in 2021.
Recently, the UK Kennel Club announced that it was expanding its ‘Breed Watch System’. This system is supposed to act as a kind of ‘early warning’ for judges, allowing them to identify points of concern in individual breeds.
In the beginning, man’s relationship with dogs was limited to hunting. With the evolution of the human species, raising crops and livestock became some of man’s most important livelihoods. Dogs became well integrated into human communities and immediately found a place in what can be seen as man’s first steps towards civilization. Together with man, the dog became a shepherd.
When I first created my Facebook profile as a young teenager, “social media” was still a new concept at that time and I was excited to finally explore all its potential. Naturally, my dogs soon dominated my Facebook as well as Instagram, Twitter, Snap Chat, etc. I am not alone in this phenomenon. As soon as the internet spits out a new social media platform, dog people have a knack for turning it to their benefit. In fact, many kennel clubs, breeders and handlers are more likely to use social media to promote themselves versus traditional websites or printed materials. Why? Social media panders to a wider audience along with a more specific audience depending upon the filters in place. Also, once a post is made, it is immediately viewable by anyone with access.
Minka was one of those young dogs breeders dream about. She won the group, breeder/owner/handled, her first time out as a special, and shot up in the rankings within weeks. One night, after a huge breed win, she kept me up having to go out. By the next day it was obvious we needed to skip the rest of the weekend and head home. It would be her last show
It was bound to happen. Against all odds, shows are back, and even more shocking…entries are through the roof. No matter where it is or who is judging, entries have been maxing out in record time. Dogs from every part of the country are popping up in the most unexpected places. Really, I’m pretty sure if AKC announced a big show cluster on Mars, dog people would find a way to get there. A welcome relief for sure, but let’s face it, we need to complain about something. And yes, this part was also inevitable. We are back to complaining about too much competition. Heavyweight contenders are jetting all over the place to grab crucial breed points. Next thing you know, AKC will start jacking up the point schedules again.
It’s always tricky generating media attention for obscure breeds. There’s no telling how the press is going to run with the story–and it can really backfire sometimes. Take it from someone who spent decades trying to find a mainstream presentation for the Xoloitzcuintli. I mean even the name is a giant obstacle to popular appeal. Of course, the entire process is way easier if you happen to be an autocratic dictator with unlimited resources at your disposal. In that case you just take the bull by the horns and ….erect a 19-foot gold statue in the center of town. That does the trick every time.
