[tegamom1]

Originally Posted by topknot

First of all there is not a perfect dog!!

You can beat a dog with a handler, but all depends on what happens in the ring and the competiton at the time.

When you are showing, you are competing against the dogs that are in the ring at the time competing against your dog - handlers or not. What does the judge likes out of the bunch? I have usually picked most times, what the judge has picked. Not always, but most. There are surprises at times, but not often. You can have a great dog - confirmation wise, but if there is one with better coat and well trained with great personality - that dog may get the win that day or not. It is all what happens in that few minutes as to which dog wins. That is why you can see one dog win the points one day and another the next day. But you can also see a dog go in and win everytime. So to win, you must have a nice dog with great qualities, good coat, movement, confirmation, color, well trained, out going personality, etc... to help raise your chances of winning. You never know who your competition is till ring time. You, as an exhibitor, must also be prepared and practice with your dog in order to have your dog ready and well trained. Grooming is also something that you must learn to do well, so the judge looking down the line in the ring will notice how nice your dog is. That is just how it is. It is like any competition - you must be ready. There is a lot to showing, but one can do well.
And yes, a less experienced exhibitor with a great dog can mess up the performance or coat of a great dog and not win. Reason one must practice and learn. That's life.

Well said, Tina!