Thanks for the welcome Irene. Yes, I have been showing since 1992. I have won and lost, but I always present my dogs to their best. The very political judges....I just don't enter under them. But I want to think my dogs are competitive when I walk into the ring as far as the standard.
Many countries in Europe no longer dock tails. However, that is how the American standard is worded....to be docked. Since it is the parent club who sets the standard, not AKC, I don't look for any changes in the immediate future to allow undocked tails. It will not be easy for an owner/handler to finish a dog or bitch with a tail that is not docked. A dog in full coat, with a top handler will probably get it done for a few thousand $$.
And although I use a handler from time to time, the fun of showing is doing it myself. I am proud to say I had the #1 bitch in the US in 2004, and she was owner/handled all the way.
Julie |