Table Talk · October 30, 2019
This past week was a busy National Specialty week, indeed! In honor of all of the National Specialties, I’d like to share the reasons to attend a National, written by William H. Miller:
• To visit with your peers
• To measure the “state of the breed”
• To compare your breeding stock to that of others
• To support your parent club
• To find a stud dog or new bloodline
• To see the dogs that you have not seen before
• To learn something new
• To see your dear (yet far away) friends
• To celebrate your love of a breed with fellow fanciers
• To remember departed peers. (Their names are always part of the conversation).
Unfortunately, I missed my National once again! Moving has absorbed so much of my time over the past several weeks and “D-Day” was during my National.
There was some confusion during the intersex competition at the Shar-Pei National, which several exhibitors are attributing to the ring procedure used by the Intersex judge. Instead of calling out the numbers of those that made cuts, she had her ring stewards inform those who made the cut they would need to return. Apparently, there were numerous lists kept, and when all the dogs returned to the ring for the final, the judge did not have a master list in which she checked dogs off as they entered. As a result, a dog that she had determined was supposed to make the cut was not in the ring, and this was not noticed until she started pulling dogs for placements and asked where the dog was by name (a big no-no according to the AKC Rules). This was embarrassing for the exhibitor, and, in my opinion, left room for speculation as to what would have happened if this dog was in the ring for the entire judging of the last cut, and not just at the end. Further, this also could diminish the wonderful win of the Best of Breed winner, as others may speculate what might have happened.
How could confusion such as this be avoided? While the ring “belongs to the judge” when they are judging, there have been a couple of discrepancies over the past few years at Nationals which would indicate that the National Specialty Committees may want to document the ring procedure that they would prefer the judge use at their show. This might also include what they view as proper attire for those that are asked to judge the National. In my opinion, terms such as this should be part of the judge’s contract, and if the judge is not comfortable with the terms that the Committee has established, another judge should be contracted. In my opinion, adding this to the judge’s contract would avoid disappointment on the part of the exhibitors and club members, and avoid any confusion.
I am sure all fanciers join me in wishing the best to our California friends who have been displaced from their homes as a result of the fires. Here’s hoping the fires are controlled quickly.
The show in Dixon, California this past Sunday was cancelled due to high winds. I saw photographs of tents in piles. Kudos to the show committee for having the best interests of the dogs and exhibitors in mind!
Armando Angelbello was invited to judge the Miniature Pinscher Club of Great Britain Championship Show (their National Specialty) in 2020. Unfortunately, since he is not a licensed judge, the Kennel Club would not approve his assignment. Congratulations, Armando, for being invited for this prestigious assignment. You would have done a great job!
I was glad to hear that Lee Herr is back center ring after a brief hiatus after suffering a stroke. Welcome back, Lee!
I hear Bruce Schwartz and Peggy Beisel-Mcilwaine were in Shanghai judging. As if that was not enough time on an airplane, Bruce is off again, this time to Russia!
Plans are underway for our Table Talk Live! coverage of Orlando! I’d love to hear from you via email at deb.cooper@caninechronicle.com if you are interested in participating in our Breed Priority segments. In addition, I would love to hear suggestions about topics that you might find interesting.
Celebrating birthdays this week are: Betty-Anne Stenmark, Kathy Bilicich-Garcia, Katherine Wurz-Smoot, Domino Parker, Brenda Weiss, Peggy Browne, and Alberto Montila (more commonly known as Eldorado).
If you are going to be in Fort Wayne this weekend, stop by the Purina booth and say Hi! Be safe in your travels, my friends. Please be kind to your fellow exhibitors, judges, and show-giving volunteers! Until next time…
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