Mill about where the breeders/groomers are....some do not want to be bothered, others will answer questions short and sweet, and others will get down and VISIT with you....respect their space, respect their professionalism.....when the dogs are in the arena, if you can position yourself close to exhibitors, they will often have running comments/praises/criticisms of the dog that is showing....take notes so you can observe for yourself what they are saying, remembering they may have a dog in the ring, and some do not ever see faults in their own dog, but can easily point out issues in every other dog! "My God, that dog has ears like a jackrabbit!!"....make a note of that dog, so when you run across that dog at another show, see how it places there, listen for criticisms, etc....meanwhile, get books on conformation so you KNOW what size the ears are supposed to be and how they are supposed to sit on top of the dog's head....and you have to remember, judges are human and they will continuously favor a particular dog, from show to show....exhibitors know who the judges favor and a lot of them wont even show up at shows where that judge is in the ring, because they know she does not like the style or type or look of their entry....so they wont waste their time and money at that show where they know they will not even get a nod.... |