I guess I have just run into the nasty ones. And before you ask, YES, i wait until they are out of the show ring to even attempt to talk or introduce myself to them. learned that a long time ago. One of the top rated is so nasty she will turn her back on anyone that even tries to approach her and walk off especially if she had a bad day.

Dee,

I think I know who you are talking about. And if it is, we all know what her attitude is like. Just remember she sits on the toilet just like you do......ignore her and remember you don't want to be like she is, but you can still learn from her by watching. After all she is a top handler and she didn't get there by not knowing how to handle her dogs.

unfortunately, she was my first experience at my very first AKC show a couple of years ago. mary you would laugh your butt off at a picture we took of her in Louisville in march. her dog lost and her jaw dropped open and she had the most surprised look on her face. We took it on a cell phone before she turned around and stomped off. it would have made a good u-tube video.

AKC v UKC
 

I do agree that handlers do win sometime when they probably shouldn't/ The best way to handle that is keep a judges log, and don't give those judges an entry. That's what I have been doing for 29 yrs. I try to watch the ring at least a half hour before going in so I know what that judge wants and always try to write it in my log for the future.
I love BOWs, we are in the same division as you all and we have 3people who show regularly ( can count on ) and 3 that enter sometime. We havn't had a major here in more that 2 years that we havn't built. I was just giving AKC's point of view and ALL of you to agree that you have seen dogs get points that did NOT deserve them from a judge being nice.
In AKC like most every thing in life you need to pay your dues in the breed ring, than the group ring and the the Best in Show ring,
Anyone who is devoted and willing to learn and that has a deserving dog will finish that dog!
I have finished more than 100, had 8 invitations to the AKC/EUK ( won BOS & BBBE) and I have won at the National speciality and Westminster.
ALL my dogs are all bred by and Proud of it!:)

Sparkling Bly Yorkies;)

It's ok Dee, just be the better person, continue to attempt to talk to her and be nice. She'll come around and you'll realize she really is a very nice person. Just be nice as you can be. Remember, that handling is their bred and butter. Some handlers are temperamental and very competitive..

I think we all keep a log.

But, another way to look at is: Judges from time to time are political. But, I've won under those same judges and lost under them. Some people feel that once they've lost under them, it's the reason not give them another entry. My feeling is that a judge may not put my dog up on any given day. But, on another day a whole different set of dogs are in the ring, different set of circumstances, my dog is put up. The judges I won't give my entries to are the ones that are rough on the dogs, and not so nice.

Connie,

It was greek to me too, until I got in the ring. At times unusual things come up.....so, I'm still learning.

Dee, I am sorry you had a bad experience with handlers. The ones I have met and used have been very nice. Some handlers may seem off standish because they know this is a business and they do not usually socialize at ringside. Their responsibility are the dogs and to their owners. Handlers normally hurry back to their grooming area. They also do not have much time at a show either. I know when I was with my handler she hardly had time to eat. They must hurry and get their multiple dogs ready for the ring and then they usually have to go on to group, so there is so much to do. I use to think like you at first, but the more I saw handlers at shows and talked with them more and they got to know who you are it changes. I have had handlers show me how to hold a fiesty show girl, show me how to wrap, which shampoos to use, evaluate some of my dogs, and answer my questions when I had them. Sometimes impressions can be wrong. You just have to keep an open mind at times. I have met nice people and a few people I would never care to meet again at shows. That is like everything. Hang out with the people you like, keep an open mind, and if there is someone that is really rude and mean to you at a show - just ignore them. Sometimes it is hard for some to handle the stress and they come off really nasty. I just keep my distance from them. And there are the ones I thought were mean, that actually turned out to be pretty nice once you got to know them and they got to know me.

I too keep a log.

Well said, I think people are wrong is saying it is easier to get a UKC champion, it still takes time, money and a great dog before you get a champion. I do both and love them both, always a fun hobby and love the time spent with my dog.

That's exactly what I wanted to say. I think any title shows a commitment to the dog that puts them in a league separate from those who don't do anything. But UKC is much easier in a breed like the Yorkshire Terrier. They are in it for profit not like the AKC that's non profit. It is the only place some breeds can show. And people who have been suspended from AKC.

And as far as professional handlers. They're professionals. Can you imagine waltzing into a professional bowling tournament and expecting those at the top of the standings wanting to stop their pre-game routine to chat with you? And how many times over the course of a show week-end someone approaches them? They don't have just the one dog to show and usually have at least three different places they should be at any given time.

Maybe I'm just getting old, but I hear too many people complaining who haven't paid their dues or done their homework. It takes hard work or luck and luck always runs out at some point. Probably you need a little bit of both.

Congratulations on your wonderful accomplishments. I haven't stopped by this forum in awhile and it's a shock to my system to see someone posting with such depth of experience.

I want to say in addition to what you have said that everyone should trade places with the judge just for one day. Try it. It is tough. They have to make value judgments very quickly and sometimes they may get it wrong or they may have been looking for something different than you were. Too many novices know so little about their standard they have no clue what a judge may or may not have seen in a particular exhibit. The judge may have seen and felt things that influenced their decision that are not apparent to the audience. That was sarcasm. Of course they are the only ones in the position to JUDGE the dog. The only one other than you who may touch the dog for that matter. You may disagree with their judgments, but don't assume they "got it wrong".

Just to explain, when I'm saying "you", I'm referring to the collective, not anyone in particular.