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Higgin's Mom · 05-06-2004, 01:52 PM

Now then, I MUST come to the defense of the show dog world here......The people who show their dogs really, really love them. And the dogs LOVE to show! My Rachel was an absolute HAM! She knew when to "turn it on" for the judges. Some dogs like it, and some dogs don't, and the ones who don't only last through a show or two, if they show at all. Also, those show dogs lead the BEST lives possible.....most of them sleep right in bed with their owners and are true couch potatoes at home. Hunting dogs actually HUNT, and Working dogs actually WORK when they are not showing. Many also hold obedience and field trial certifications as well as their blue ribbons for breed standard perfection.

I wasn't bashing the people/owners so much as the way the AKC hierarchy has handled a lot of issues.

I love trying to pick winners! And I'm getting pretty good at it, too! Gotta tell ya one true story.......We attended an English Setter specialty show years ago at the lovely farm of one of the top breeders. The judge was an especially stern woman who is known as a fantastic judge but one who NEVER smiles. At this beautiful farm in the country, there were some goats. Well, the daughter of the farm's owner got hold of a goat that was similar in coat color to a blue belton setter and calmly entered the ring with that goat instead of a setter. Had her number right on her arm, she did. And that judge lined them all up and all were set up and ready for her to examine in that "show dog stance" -- including the goat. Wellllll, she walked down the line, spied the goat, and NEVER cracked a smile. Then she said "Will exhibitor number 149 please step forward?" When the goat was brought out and set up, the judge said "I wish to call everyone's attention to the superb presentation of this specimen and compliment the handler and breeder on their decorum. Exhibitor 149 is now excused." SHE NEVER SMILED! DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DID IT! We were convulsed!

I may complain about the showdog world, really more about the AKC, but I still love it! We had a ball and made some wonderful friends.

So now you have the other side. I'm fair.

05-06-2004, 01:52 PM	#9
Higgin's Mom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 852	In defense...... Now then, I MUST come to the defense of the show dog world here......The people who show their dogs really, really love them. And the dogs LOVE to show! My Rachel was an absolute HAM! She knew when to "turn it on" for the judges. Some dogs like it, and some dogs don't, and the ones who don't only last through a show or two, if they show at all. Also, those show dogs lead the BEST lives possible.....most of them sleep right in bed with their owners and are true couch potatoes at home. Hunting dogs actually HUNT, and Working dogs actually WORK when they are not showing. Many also hold obedience and field trial certifications as well as their blue ribbons for breed standard perfection. I wasn't bashing the people/owners so much as the way the AKC hierarchy has handled a lot of issues. I love trying to pick winners! And I'm getting pretty good at it, too! Gotta tell ya one true story.......We attended an English Setter specialty show years ago at the lovely farm of one of the top breeders. The judge was an especially stern woman who is known as a fantastic judge but one who NEVER smiles. At this beautiful farm in the country, there were some goats. Well, the daughter of the farm's owner got hold of a goat that was similar in coat color to a blue belton setter and calmly entered the ring with that goat instead of a setter. Had her number right on her arm, she did. And that judge lined them all up and all were set up and ready for her to examine in that "show dog stance" -- including the goat. Wellllll, she walked down the line, spied the goat, and NEVER cracked a smile. Then she said "Will exhibitor number 149 please step forward?" When the goat was brought out and set up, the judge said "I wish to call everyone's attention to the superb presentation of this specimen and compliment the handler and breeder on their decorum. Exhibitor 149 is now excused." SHE NEVER SMILED! DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DID IT! We were convulsed! I may complain about the showdog world, really more about the AKC, but I still love it! We had a ball and made some wonderful friends. So now you have the other side. I'm fair. Last edited by Higgin's Mom; 05-06-2004 at 01:54 PM.