The Juniors Perspective – In Defense Of Modern Junior Showmanship

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190 – October, 2024

By Jessica Braatz

First, I want to acknow-ledge that while I do not agree with all of the criticism toward junior show-manship, I deeply respect those who have spoken out and want to applaud them for calling for change, taking a stance, and suggesting solutions. Junior showmanship has changed, and in many ways this is concerning. We hear you. The juniors hear you. The judges hear you. I also want to make clear that I am not writing this to criticize. Instead, I am asking fanciers to continue this dialogue and view junior showmanship proactively and positively.

With all of the discourse surrounding junior showmanship lately, I have been left deeply concerned and disappointed, but also hopeful–in a way. I applied for my juniors judging license only a year ago, and I have judged two assignments. I am far from an expert—I’d barely say I know anything in this department! But, I did grow up showing in “modern” junior showmanship and working for professional handlers who frequently discussed “the good old days.” Those days, juniors switched dogs, didn’t dramatically make eye contact while they shook grooming tables, and did complicated patterns. The majority of them conditioned and cared for their own dogs, worked for handlers, and dedicated themselves to the craft.

I agree completely that since then, junior showmanship has changed. But, juniors is not the only thing that has changed: dog shows have changed and society has changed. I am not so convinced that this is all for the worse. Safety is now a bigger priority than ever. This is a positive change, requiring all of us to be more thoughtful when in the ring, judge or exhibitor. Along with this, many parents are no longer comfortable sending their juniors with handlers, and I can’t blame them. I can’t think of another sport where the children are blamed when parents are not comfort-able sending them out with strangers at a young age. While I wish all juniors had the opportunity to work for hand-lers, I never rush to blame them for not doing so. And these things are just a drop in the bucket of the ways our sport has changed. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the days of drinking the figurative hose water are gone–and they will not be returning anytime soon.

Click here to read the complete article
190 – October, 2024

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Posted by AnthonyA on Oct 13 2024. 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.