Question of the Week

Julie L. Mueller 

Tulsa, OK  

This question begs for a definition of "exhibitor".  There is a community of judges, handlers, breeder owner handlers and owner handlers, who have been in this sport together for many years, some over 50 or 60 years or more.  At one time these same judges were not standing in the middle of the ring but standing on the perimeter mats as professional handlers or breeder owner handlers and exhibitors.  Over the years, through competing and showing dogs together, a kinship has formed in this community of people. Sharing many meals, helping each other out, laughed and cried, and talked on the phone for hours driving to shows. As we age, we start to face the reality of our mortality, thinking maybe, could this be the last time I come to this show? Or could this be the last time I will see this person?  So, if it looks bad for me to hug a judge that I have known basically my entire life, then I will look bad. I never want to miss a chance to tell someone I appreciate you, thank you, or I love you. And whoever is watching and wants to think something negative or bad of me, go right ahead. It won't stop me from being me. I show my dogs because I am proud of my dogs. I go to shows to see great dogs, my friends and the people I love and admire. And some of them are judges. 

Susan Thibodeaux

Cocoa, FL

If it’s a big or prestigious show or specialty and it’s an over exuberant exhibitor reacting to the win, I will generally laugh at it.  Sometimes the stress of showing and an unexpected, although hoped for, win leads to an emotional display which I imagine can include unexpectedly hugging the person who just gave you the win.   If it’s not that type of vibe, it can be a little off putting.

Robette Johns

Sandwich, IL

As a judge, I don't mind it.  I know that some people get very excited and happy with certain wins, and they mean a great deal to the exhibitor.  Things are not as strict as they used to be, and that's for the best.  We need to bring in more of the public, and making it a friendly sport will help.

Sue Bauman

Allentown, PA

Unless the judge initiated a hug, a handshake and thank you, a kiss is inappropriate in the ring. An exhibitor hugging/kissing a judge in the ring is not only inappropriate it could be seen as a conflict of interest possibly heading into a bench hearing.

Linda Cain

Belton, MO

Well, I am a hugger, so if it is a important win or I am honored that a specific judge has selected my dog for a specific win I always ask if I can hug them.  There isn't enough love in this world today...

Thanks for letting me speak. 

Kate McMillan

Delisle, SK Canada

Get a room.

Kathleen Ferris

Holland, PA

More hugging and kissing everywhere!  Kindness and happiness are needed including at dog shows. I believe the few times this may occur is when someone just won something that was incredibly special to them. It usually takes the judge by surprise as well. Maybe it was a first win for a new exhibitor. Maybe the judge and the exhibitor do know each other and the exhibitor was so honored to get a win under them.  Maybe they are friends, many of us are.  Our sport is a small community. Many have grown up together, learned together, worked together and traveled together over the years. We have a shared humanity so if for a moment someone reacts with a hug, a kiss a shake of the hand, there should be no reason to see negativity.  Just go with the flow of the excitement of the moment. Be happy for them. Don’t like it don’t do it.

Karen Elvin

Edina, Minnesota

Why not just wave a large $$ bill at the judge?

Lynda Lamensdorf

Memphis,TN

In the ring...highly inappropriate, but I get it. Emotions run high! No one, but NO ONE, should make a habit of this. 

This being said, outside the ring.....I guess it's ok.....just don't make  a habit of it, said Ms. Priss (me). We ol' timers remember the: he/she must have slept with the judge snark when an awful dog beat us. 

Virginia Murray 

Island Lake, IL

A hug, ok....a kiss, nope

Mike Macbeth

Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada

Totally inappropriate!  I’ve had exhibitors hug and kiss me after I bestowed a big award.

Most unwelcome.  To the audience it can suggest we are friends.

Jeff Gregg

Green Sea, SC

Growing up in an Italian family that is what we do and did to those in are large families and extended families and those we met and became to know when we met.

I don't see a problem with that if the judge is acceptable to that from any and not just certain people.

I am sure if a dishonest judge is going to fix a win for a friend or for an assignment it can be done over the phone before judging is ever done.

The judge and the person who was taken care of have to live with their dishonesty but a true appreciation and heartfelt thanks to a judge for picking your dog as the best on that day with a hug and or kiss is just that.

Ann B. Anderson

Longboat Key, FL

Not appropriate.  

Dorothy Edge

Biloxi, MS

I find such displays of affection to be largely inappropriate within the context of a professional dog show. While enthusiasm and gratitude are understandable following a win, overt physical expressions like hugging and kissing can create an appearance of undue familiarity or potential impropriety. This can inadvertently compromise the perceived impartiality and integrity of the judging process, regardless of the actual intent.

In my view, maintaining a professional standard is crucial for all participants in the sport. A firm handshake and a sincere verbal thank you are the universally accepted and appropriate forms of acknowledgment and respect between an exhibitor and a judge. This approach upholds the spirit of fair competition and ensures that the focus remains on the merit of the animals.

Thank you for raising this important topic for discussion.

Allan Reznik

Eureka Springs, AR

Oh, my! Bad form. Bad optics. Sometimes a novice may have a melt down after a big, unexpected win and hug everyone in sight—judge, steward, other exhibitors!—but the innocence of that spontaneous gesture is usually obvious. A handshake, big smile and heartfelt thank you should be the extent of public emotion displayed in the ring or at the photographer’s stand.

Cheryl Suckling

Doss, TX

After all the judging is done, if someone feels the need to hug a judge, they should ask first.  “Can I give you a hug?”  Kissing is out. I had someone give me a smacker on the lips one time and I really felt that crossed a line.

Jon Kimes

Kansas City, MO

I think hugging or kissing a judge after a win is a human reaction to big emotions. I think it’s wonderful. Whether the exhibitor knows or doesn’t know the judge makes no difference. The question you are really asking is are judges objective when judging? Totally different topic.

Lynda Chase

Aiken, SC

Totally inappropriate! 

Laura Aldus

Galesburg, IL

That is inappropriate behavior. Verbal thanks is all thats necessary. 

Daniel M. Mehling

Mason, WI/New Orleans, LA 

Winning under a well-known judge could take you by a surprise, so thanking them. Gesture of a hug, no issue. I just saw where a judge retired, judged Best in Show, it was a wonderful sportsmanship where all 7 exhibitors hugged the judged. Now days for owner handler to be awarded amongst a group of handlers, yes it’s a surprise. So being overjoyed yes! This sport needs more joy, kindness, then all the negativity it has had. 
 

Margaret P. Kotin

Avon, CT

I don't think it is a bad thing in that moment, particularly if it is personally important (BBE at a national specialty, BISS with a dog you bred yourself), if it is genuine and generally unexpected.  Spectators can tell.  Exhibitors can too if they put aside their prejudices.

I am a hugger too.

Linda Augustine

Canastota, NY

When I won my first owner handled best show I hugged the judge. I didn’t know the judge, just over the moon with excitement 

Edy Dykstra-Blum

Ocala, FL

As a judge I would not like that and as an exhibitor I would never do that - short and simple 

Dick Korn

Malabar, FL

I believe it is wrong to hug and/or kiss a judge who has awarded your dog a win. This would put the judge in an embarrassing situation and possibly imply a deep relationship between the judge and exhibitor. The exhibitor should thank the judge and offer a handshake in reinforcement of the thanks.

Jeanne Nonhof

Plymouth, WI 

Extremely unprofessional! But in the excitement of the moment, understandable.  Better to kiss the dog. 

Desi Murphy

Monroe, NY

I see nothing wrong with an exhibitor hugging or kissing a Judge over an exceptional win.

Barbara Miller

Old Brookville, NY

Are we coming down to that?  As a woman am I old fashioned enough to believe or think a hug is just a gesture of “Thank You”?  My hugging a judge would be after picture taking.  I don’t believe a hug is displaying impropriety; it’s just “Thanks” for appreciating my dog.  Now grabbing a judge’s ass is quite something else!!!

Verlene Miller

Anniston, AL 

It shows bias and should have win removed and both judge and exhibitor sanctioned. Appears exhibitor paid judge to put them up. I witnessed something similar in Atlanta and have never shown to that exhibitor, who is also a judge. 

Jeanette Lowry

Falls Church, VA

ABSOLUTELY no kissing or hugging.  A truly horrible visual for every exhibitor that got no award.  

Julie Felten

Wauconda, IL

Sometimes it's hard to contain your emotions. Winning is full of emotions and your adrenaline runs high. I'm sure a hug or kiss has happened many of times without any knowledge of either party out of pure happiness and excitement. One needs be reminded that people are human and if you have been in this sport for more than 5 minutes, you are aware there are long term relationships. It doesn't automatically mean the judge is a crook.

Sylvia Arrowwood

Charleston, SC

BOO!

Polly Smith

St. Stephens Church, VA

I have no problem with an exhibitor hugging or kissing a judge for a win. It has happen many times when I judge.  Years ago an exhibitor picked Houston Clark up off the ground in a hug and gave him a kiss.   People are excited and happy ,

Exhibitors today need to relax and enjoy showing their dogs and be happy for the success of other exhibitors. This is not a new practice.

Randy Garren

Apex, NC

For heaven sakes, we are human beings with feelings not  a robot with a dog on a string.  Of course, I have no problem with someone getting excited over an especially nice win.  If it is sincere and spontaneous, I think it is very refreshing and makes me smile!