Table Talk · April 16, 2025
Kindness. Good Sportsmanship. Courtesy. If you are one of our Canine Chronicle loyal readers, you have heard Wayne Cavanaugh, Tom Grabe, and I talk about how we treat others at dog shows and the need to be kind to those around us. Most recently, a club volunteer for the Vines and Wines cluster had a sign campaign at the shows encouraging everyone to be kind to one another.
Why do we write about this topic so often you might ask? As Tom wrote in his publisher’s remarks in the current issue, and Wayne wrote about in his “Interesting Conflicts of Sharp Swords and Sharp Words” piece in the current issue, kindness is critical to maintaining a welcoming, fun, and inclusive environment at dog shows. Many of us call dog shows our “happy place”. Sadly, some fanciers say that while they used to find dogs shows to be their “happy place”, this sentiment has changed over the last several years.
As Wayne pointed out in his article, there is an increasingly common occurrence of judges being confronted by exhibitors after making their choices. As Tom pointed out, an individual who confronts a judge about their decision will not, most likely, do well under that judge in the future. I have had a few conversations with exhibitors who feel they should be able to ask a judge to explain their decision, and it should not affect the way that judge views their exhibit at future shows. If an exhibitor feels they must discuss past placements with a judge, I believe that the way this conversation is initiated and conducted is critical. There are ways to obtain information without appearing to be confrontational and argumentative. Are you trying to determine if you should bring that exhibit back to that judge under different circumstances? Your delivery in your conversation with a judge is important. Be careful not to be argumentative. Do not attack the judge about their decision.
I have written about losing potential new exhibitors on many occasions. While it may be hard to believe, we have also lost new judges because they are not comfortable being attacked by exhibitors after completing their assignment. One approach to educating new judges is to reach out to your parent club’s Judges Education Committee. Explain your concern and ask them to reach out to the judge. This may take care of educating newer judges without making them feel uncomfortable at the show.
Before approaching a judge, I urge you to think about Tom’s friend. All they wanted to do was win the ties between two great dogs. If you have been a good sport while showing under that judge, there is an even playing field. Who knows, you may even have an upper hand if the other exhibitor had acted in an unsportsmanlike manner. To be remembered as a good sport, you must be a good sport! As Tom said in his remarks, being a good sport, being kind, and being respectful should come naturally to all of us. If it doesn’t, perhaps the opportunity to “win the tie” will help encourage those inclined to behave badly.
The new AKC Point Schedule and Division breakdown, which is effective May 12, 2025, is now available. Make sure you are aware of the changes. The new schedule can be found via https://caninechronicle.com/breaking-news/2025-akc-point-schedule-effective-may-12-2025/.
Last week the largest Specialty in the World took place in Frederick, Maryland. This year The Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac attracted over 1,000 dogs from all over the world. Labrador fanciers like to refer to “The Potomac” as the “Breeder’s National”. This year owner/handler Susan St. Peter won Best of Breed. Everyone should take note that days before she walked into the ring, she was planning to pull her dog due to the tragedy she suffered just weeks prior. Sadly, Susan lost her son just weeks before the show. Let this be a lesson to one and all: Despite life’s greatest tragedy, let your heart find joy in doing what you love.
One of the many great things The Potomac offers is a judge’s roundtable for approved Labrador Judges. Judges travel to the Potomac from near and far to take advantage of this amazing educational opportunity. This year the roundtable was attended by 12 licensed Labrador judges.
The countdown is on for the re-opening of the Purina Event Center! The first show will be the Poodle Club of America which will take place from Monday, April 21–Friday, April 25th. The All-Breed show scheduled for the first weekend of May is also a go! Individuals who have questions about RV reservations should contact Tracy Flora at rvparking@purina.nestle.com.
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include John Ramirez, Benjie Marcus, Kevin Mason, Brian Livingston, Alyssia Booth, Brianne Rock, Bryan Martin, Rosie Steinke, Chrystal Murray, John Magenau, Courtney Norris, Vicki Seiler-Cushman, and Sandra Groeschel. Best wishes for a great day–and a great year ahead!
My words of wisdom this week come from the heart. “The most dangerous anger comes from someone with a good heart. They hold it in, they stay calm, they forgive until one day they can’t anymore. Don’t push a good person too far.”
I look forward to seeing those of you attending PCA at the event center next week! Wherever your travels take you, be safe and be kind! Until next time…
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