Table Talk · February 18, 2026
I want to start by congratulating Jorge Olivera and ‘Baby Joe’ for joining the Century Club this past weekend by winning Best In Shows #100, #101 and #102 in Fresno, California. As we all know, this amazing team was #1 Dog All Breeds in 2025. Another fun fact is Baby Joe eclipsed the 100 BIS mark in just over a year of showing. This is an incredible feat for any breed let alone a Miniature Schnauzer! Congratulations to everyone on Baby Joe’s team. He couldn’t have reached this historic record without the help of everyone involved.
I think we can all agree that no one goes into the show ring to lose. The goal of the day may be to get a major, get that last single point, or win the breed with hopes of being awarded the shiny blue ribbon in the group. Of course, being one of the two pointed to in that final field of 7 dogs is always the ultimate dream for most.
Do you ever think about what is going through the mind of the judge? I think all competitors should read the article published in the February issue of The Canine Chronicle titled, “The Juggling Act of Impartiality” https://caninechronicle.com/current-articles/the-juggling-act-of-impartiality/. If you have been involved in the sport of purebred dogs for any length of time–which is a requirement for judges–it is not unusual to know some of the exhibitors in the ring. The author, Will Alexander, says he deals with this by focusing on the dogs. He says he sometimes doesn’t know who the handlers are until he awards ribbons at the end of a class. As a judge, I believe that this is the best possible way to maintain impartiality. Like Will, many judges tell friends or acquaintances they can show to them as long as the end result is not taken personally.
I hear exhibitors talk about the reasons they did not prevail in the ring. Sadly, those reasons often have little, if anything, to do with the dog being exhibited. As exhibitors, we need to focus on our exhibit, and that exhibit’s performance, just like the judge standing center ring does. If we all adopt this mindset, I think our sport will be a happier place, and we will all be pleased with the result. No one likes to lose. After a loss, let’s focus on how we can do better next time. Can we condition our dog better? Can we change the way we handle that dog? As exhibitors, we might take time to learn what type of dog that judge prefers. This, too, can eliminate disappointment.
Kentuckiana volunteers are working very hard preparing for the upcoming cluster on March 12-15. Please do not forget to send in your grooming reservations! Reservations should be sent to Louisvillegrooming@yahoo.com, and reservations should be paid for at executivedogshows.com. Please note that you cannot leave any fields blank, or the system will not allow you to pay.
The Kentucky Expo Center is under construction, and it is definitely making the Kentuckiana Cluster Team’s job more difficult. Please be prepared for things to look a bit different, and please be kind to the volunteers who are working very hard to make this show as great as it has been in previous years.
I am looking forward to bringing you Table Talk Live coverage from Louisville once again this year! Please be sure to stop by and see me to celebrate your wins and share your stories. Table Talk Live would not be what it is without your participation.
Tuni Conti loaded up her dog and went to the airport Monday morning to catch her flight home from the shows in Denver. Much to her surprise, while on the shuttle to the terminal, she checked to confirm her flight was on time–and what she found was a huge surprise! She booked her flight for the wrong day and did not have a ticket until Tuesday. Oops! A bit of advice from Mrs. Conti: Check your flights, friends–and make sure you booked your travel on the right day!
Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Blair Aguillard Commisso, Ryan Platt, Allison Sunderman, Marge Wilson, Lori Stephen, Danielle Goodland-Rose, Susanna Bjornsson, Kate Berry, Valeria Rickard, Diane Lee Severns, Anne Regan, Laura Edwards, and Ed Fojtik. We wish you all the best year yet!
Here’s something to think about: Sit with dog people committed to their growth and their dog’s growth. The conversation will be different!
Wherever your travels take you, be safe out there! May your journey be everything you had hoped for. Until next time…
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