Just the Facts

I promise this is not going to be another “Get off my lawn” and get it off my chest article. As Joe Friday on the TV show Dragnet used to say, “Just the facts, ma’am.”

When I hear some of the older, long-time breeders bemoaning what they perceive as exceptionally poor judging — and at times it is — I wonder how much of it is because some of the judges (especially the newer ones) have never seen a really good specimen of that breed. And when we talk to the more experienced judges, we hear them say, “I can only put up what is in the ring.”

Both these statements are true. Facts. So, is it the fault of the breeders or the judges? Or both? And what do we do about it?

Let’s look at the breeders first. The long-time, more experienced breeders need to remember: To thine own self be true. Regardless of what you see winning in the ring — or the so-called number one in your breed (who may be incorrect) — breed true to what you know is correct. If you don’t do it, who will? It is easy for me to say, but difficult to do — breed for what is correct and not only for what is walking away with ribbons. You, who have seen and remember those great dogs of the past, need to breed to emulate THAT. There are still a few judges who know and remember what your breed standard looks like — or should look like — in the flesh, so show to those judges and give them a chance to choose the correctness in the ring.

For the newer breeders: First of all, thank you for breeding during these difficult times of the rescue dog and doodle phenomenon. How did you become breeders? Did you have a mentor and a plan, or did you just start by putting a male and female together? Do you truly understand what you are striving for — or is the answer ribbons? Do you have a passion to preserve, protect and improve your breed? Do you check health history and clearances? Do you know the dogs in the two pedigrees you are considering — or just the winning stud dog — and why you are considering this breeding? Do you know what the strengths and weaknesses were of dogs and bitches further back in the pedigree? Have you ever thought about asking one — or more — long-time breeders for their help or advice? Or are your six months in the breed enough to know everything you need to know? Are you the next six-month expert? Dog, protect us from instant experts!

So, breeders — new or experienced — let’s agree that even if you want to do the right thing, it might be very difficult to find the best stud dog — the one with the right ancestors, structure, and breed type — for your bitch. What do you do? Have you ever thought of going to some of the leaders in your breed, discussing some of the dogs or the past, and then doing research (contacting breeders) to see if any of those former days’ studs had been collected, and if they were available for breeding if the pedigrees and attributes for dog and bitch seemed to be a fit? Are you limiting yourself to dogs that are geographically close?

With the advent of frozen and chilled semen breeding, today’s breeders have a distinct advantage over those of decades ago. Some wonderful dogs may have been collected, and could be the right fit for your breeding program, but you need to investigate it. Take advantage of the expertise available to you in the form of breed mentors and the use of some former wonderful dogs in your breed. You do want to produce the best possible litter, don’t you?

Artificial breeding is not confined to dogs. Frozen semen is also used on a regular basis for some lines of cattle, horses, pigs, sheep and goats. Although not meant to be used primarily in a regular breeding program, the AKC recognized a need for semen collection and preservation as a possible salvation for endangered or low-entry breeds.

And what is the responsibility of the judges? We are charged with judging the breeds before us in accordance with the breed standard — not what is the present trend. In my opinion, it is our duty to protect the breeds we judge. For those of us who have been around long enough to remember some of the great dogs of the past, keep them (and the standard) in your mind’s eye when judging. Judge the breed — not the flash. There are dogs that are ranked, and they are deserving. There may also be ranked dogs who have gotten there because of the number of shows at which they compete, the quality of their handler and, perhaps, judges who are judging today’s trends. Just judge the dogs as you know they should be judged and let the rankings be damned!

To the newer judges who may never have seen a great one of the breed they are judging, continue to study, and talk to the experienced judges and icons of the breed to get their input. Care as much about judging other breeds as you do about how you want your own breed judged. If we all hold onto our passion in the ring, we will be fine.

* * *

I guess I must really be naive or unaware, but recently there have been posts about those of us in the AKC community being very unwelcoming to new people. There have also been discussions about poor sportsmanship, and I just don’t see it. My wife has also said to me at times that not everybody is treated the same — it depends who you are or what position you hold. I sincerely hope that is not true, but, again, maybe I am living in my own little world.

Consider these comments taken from a Facebook post:

UKC people feel terrorized when they show up at AKC shows, looked down upon, laughed at and NOT WELCOME. New owner-handlers showing up with puppies are being made uncomfortable, looked down upon. Pro handlers sing-song about being the best in the world and sh… CKC and UKC is. Absolutely disgusting!

I’m sorry, but maybe this is just one person’s perception. How would anyone know a dog is UKC registered? Every entry at an AKC show is registered with the AKC. I have judged at shows run by other registries and there have been AKC professional handlers there, using it as an opportunity for practice. I used to be an AKC professional handler, and I don’t remember EVER hearing a discussion about AKC being great and every other registry being awful. As a matter of fact, I have heard a lot of criticism of AKC.  

Does poor sportsmanship exist and do we need to do better? Wherever poor sportsmanship exists, it needs to be wiped out of our community. There is no place for it here. Any judge who sees this in the ring needs to put an immediate stop to it. Everyone needs to speak out if poor sportsmanship or negative comments about someone occur near them. What hurts one of us hurts all of us. 

Do we need to be welcoming to new people coming into our community? Absolutely! There is no denying that ours is a graying population, and new people are needed if we are to survive. On the other hand, new people need to understand that sometimes people at a dog show are busy and maybe a little stressed out. So, they may not be all cuddly all the time. But I do believe that if experienced people — professional or not — are approached at the right time, they will be welcoming. Newer people have the responsibility of being open and wanting to learn, rather than being defensive and six-week experts. It’s a two-way street.

Here is a story that was shared with me by an AKC professional handler — who, like many, is also a breeder. 

An interesting story about not feeling welcome in the show community: I went to a UKC show to work with a Golden I co-owned that was not happy in the ring. When I got to the show, I immediately heard whispers, and finally someone approached me and informed me that professional handlers could not be at UKC shows. I informed this person that was true unless I was showing a dog I owned, and that was why I was there. Truly, I have never gone to another UKC show because of how rude the people were because I was a professional handler. It's not just AKC.

 Again, I may be naive — or stupid — but I believe we are a very special group, a community held together by our love and passion for our dogs. We are not perfect, but I am proud to be a member of this community.  Sometimes we all may be too focused on ourselves and our dogs, but let’s try to be more aware that not everyone sees it that way or understands. I welcome new people, and I hope you do, too.

What do you think?