My experience at the NYC specialty shows

[airplane]

I went to watch, just as a spectator, the regional and national specialty shows in NYC this year. I had paid I think 20 bucks or so to get a reserved front row seat. It was really good. I liked being able to see a lot of yorkies in person that I've only ever seen in magazines before. I thought it was kinda cool that Cheryl Rangel came up to me and gave me a little talking to about recording the show. I setup my camcorder on a tripod to record the show and that definitely got her attention and she came by and gave me a little talking to. Lol. I feel like I've learned a lot. Truthfully, in my own mind, I feel like I was a little bit disappointed with the quality of the yorkies there. There was definitely some that stood out in a really good way, but at the same time there was a number of yorkies competing there that just didn't really get me or get my heart beating if you know what I mean.

NYC is amazing and there's so much to see and do there. It was my first trip to the city. At the show I must say that I was really disappointed to see a few yorkies whose coats were dyed blue. That was something that you could kinda pick up and see with your eye, but funny enough, with my camcorder, maybe because it's through a lens or something, but it's clear and obvious as day when seeing it through my camcorder. There was no doubt about it when seeing it through the camcorder. To me that's a shameful abandonment of a very important verity of competition. And so, to win, it's not a real win. It's nothing more than cheating. I personally believe that you have to draw the line somewhere. It's one thing to flat iron the coat and apply a grooming spray, but it's an entirely different thing to apply chemicals or whatever to change the color of the coat. That's wrong in my eyes. And shame on the few people who brought a yorkie in the ring with a coat that's been artificially made to look like a dark blue color. I understand why they do it. We all know that as a yorkie gets older, many of them will have their coat lighten to perhaps too light of a silvery type of color. It's against the rules if I'm understanding it correctly, although I am mostly familiar with CKC rules. And I also understand that many judges can and do recognize a coat that's been dyed blue, but are simply afraid of penalizing a yorkie for that because they're afraid of possible legal action against them. Anything for a win I guess. I wonder if people feel any sense of shame or despise what they've done in order to win. The win has been tarnished.

I myself am a student of the handlers I see in the ring, the breeders I chat to at dog shows, etc. I have ambitions of one day, hopefully soon, breeding yorkies and hopefully breeding many champions and yorkies who can have a real positive effect on the breed as a whole. And I'll end this post with a quote:

"If we teach our students by example, then we only have ourselves to blame for who they become."

[airplane]

I think it was back in November that I went to the Canadian National Yorkie Specialty, and I chatted a little bit with Kirsten Mcgregor and she said to me “the number 1 yorkie in the US has a purple coat”. And at the time I thought what the heck is she talking about. Now I know exactly what she meant.

The specialty shows in NYC were desecrated by a few yorkies with a dyed coat. It’s dishonest. It’s a cheat.

When I was growing up as a kid I used to play golf. I still do. Honor, honesty, integrity - those are words associated with golf. And they’re associated with any acts of achievement that are pure. Those are words that I myself embrace. And I think will help someone bring home a win that counts. Maybe breeders need to focus on getting black silk in the pedigree, or something along those lines. I don’t know. But however you look at it, the dying of a coat is disgraceful. I’m just really disappointed.

[yorkiemini]

Very interesting to read your experience and reaction.
Several years ago when I went to the New York show and Westminster as an observer (we run agility though) I was appalled when people were checking out of their hotel rooms and I saw all the bottle of hair dye in the garbage cans. Realized I was pretty naive! It seems there will always be people who will do whatever it takes to win!

[airplane]

Yes, I realize maybe I am naive. I know the desire to win can be a positive drive to breed better yorkies, or a siren calling us to cheat. Throughout my life I was always taught that it’s better to lose clean than to win dirty.

On the one hand I hate to stand by and see the specialties desecrated in that manner. Sometimes I wish I could ask someone to do something about this, otherwise I would if I could. I’d just rather see someone win clean.

I’d like to think winning takes passion, not some dye on the coat. But, if that’s what people do to win, I guess I’ll have to do it too.

[gemy]

Unfortunately not only with Yorkies but other breeds things are done, including dyeing coats. there are other things that can be done as well.

i have never dyed a coat for show ring. However when out for hours in hot sun hiking n swimming I do put on sunscreen for dogs. WWith my black coated dogs sunscreen not enough, sso I will use a color enhancing shampoo that gets the red oout of their coat the sun has put in. Chlorine in indoor pools also dries hair and can bleach it out a bit.

\some folkks are brazen about it this I don't/ understand

[magicgenie]

I've seen the dye done in local/regional shows but am rather surprised, and sad, that it seems acceptable at the national level. On the other hand, if the breed standard is unattainable naturally, it should maybe be revised?!?:

[Marna1957]

I blame the Judges. Look what the Judging did to GSD! They ruined the breed for many years, because the Judges started 'putting up' more and more and more slanted dogs, that breeders, to win, started breeding more and more and more RUINED bodied GSD. Then came the Roach Backed GSD that were awarded Championship! It's Tragic!



Airplane? Have you started breeding and showing? How is it going for you??? I would LOVE to see photos of your dogs. I ADORE the full coated Yorkies all groomed to the teeth!



Fortunately. The Judges have stopped that. I think there was a 'whole movement' about it.


But the same is true for every breed of every species. What the Judges 'put up', the breeders follow.


Shoooooooot! I am old enough to remember when people, not just the Conformational
Show Breeders, BRED BY THE STANDARD OF THE BREED. If a dog did not measure up, they were not used for breeding. AND OF COURSE, there were always those that did not. I am talking about people that loved the Breeds (of any animals) and wanted to keep it true.

[Lisa and Pic]

I've been thinking about this specialty and I believe it (2020) will be tomorrow in NY. Correct? Then Westminster on Monday and Tuesday. If anyone knows how to post a link for this it would be much appreciated.

My friend and I also had a trip of a lifetime and went to New York last year to watch all the shows. It was amazing to me. Honestly, I did not notice blue coats but I am just in this for fun. We did get to see some members of Yorkie Talk (not active now) show in the ring.

[matese]

You're right on the dates


2020 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will begin at 8:00 AM on
Monday, February 10 and ends at 11:00 PM on Tuesday, February 11, All times are in Eastern Time. See if the below link helps answer your link queation


westminsterdogshow2020.live

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by matese

You're right on the dates


2020 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will begin at 8:00 AM on
Monday, February 10 and ends at 11:00 PM on Tuesday, February 11, All times are in Eastern Time. See if the below link helps answer your link queation


westminsterdogshow2020.live

Thanks for the link!

[Lisa and Pic]

It appears Calvin took the specialty yesterday in New York. Donna's (YT member, but not active) Beaux received 1st Award of Merit.

[matese]

To bad she is no longer active on YT so we could celebrate with her winning.
Thanks for this info.

[Lisa and Pic]

Looking forward to seeing who takes the Yorkies today and if they will be in the toy group tonight. Calvin is affiliated with Jazzy's breeder so I'm especially interested!