Fri, 06/16/2023 - 7:22am

Editorial: June 16, 2016

Give away ... Take back

We are all aware that the number of clustered dogs shows grows every year. Shows move within that 200 miles as the crow flies, so that the American Kennel Club can approve shows that move states away from their original homes. With the chairman of the board so closely associated with the venue in West Springfield, Massachusetts, this will continue into the foreseeable future. With that said, the American Kennel Club has opened the floodgates on judges’ approval to help fill the shortages of multiple-group judges so that these put-together clustered shows can hire the same judge over a four-, five- or even three-day weekend, which is so commonplace these days. Sadly, we have attended dog shows where we didn’t recognize multiple-group judges by face or name. Many have scratched their heads in disbelief at some judges who have moved along because they attend seminars, sit ringside and do all that the kennel club requires of them to apply for more breeds. We have all seen some unbelievably bad decisions that seem not to be questioned. We understand that judging is a subjective opinion, but sometimes one has to ask: Why? It can be done in a gentlemanly manner, but it needs to be done. Especially when some breeds have characteristics that are unique only to that breed and they are ignored: Then one has to ask the judge why. “Four good legs” is not a proper answer. Any dog man worth his salt will tell you put up the soundest of the breed type. Which brings us to the Purina® Pro Plan® Show Dogs of the Year Awards Dinner partnered with Dog News, where the Honorable David C. Merriam was inducted in the Anne Rogers Clark (who always spoke of type over soundness) Hall of Fame. In announcing David as the newest inductee, Gene Zaphiris spoke of David’s many contributions to the sport. One of David’s suggestions, which was never really considered, was when a judge selects a dog for Best in Show, the judge should then take the breed test. If he or she fails it, another dog should be selected. This suggestion was made long before Reserve Best in Show was approved, so to modernize the suggestion, the Reserve Best in Show dog should be the ultimate winner. While the whole dog-show calendar has to be addressed, until that time this mass giveaway of approving judges should be looked at more closely. Judging is not a civil-service job; you need to earn it and move along at a pace that fits your talents. It’s nice to give things away, but sometimes you have to take them back.  

 

© Dog News. This article may not be reposted, reprinted, rewritten, excerpted or otherwise duplicated in any medium without the express written permission of the publisher.

Stay Connected

YES! Send me Dog News' free newsletter!