Page 24 - Chow LIfe - Spring 2019
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Will They Stay OR Will They Go?
by Cathy Clapp
It isn’t unusual for the subject to come up at shows, what they think the breed should be is all that really
club meetings, or just between show-going friends matters. And interestingly enough, they usually have
about newcomers to our sport and our breed – or not read the AKC “Rules Applying to Dog Shows”
the lack thereof. Often the discussion is of how we either. Their losses are never due to the fact they have
can attract more people or how do we keep the ones a poor quality dog, an ungroomed dog, a dog that
that have already jumped in. However, it rarely seems doesn’t know how to gait and stand for examination
to come up as to the differences between our new or the simple fact they don’t know how to do basic
exhibitors and why some stay and others fade away. patterns like a triangle. Instead every loss is either
political or because the judge was an idiot.
I’m a member of a group on Facebook called
“Learning To Show Dogs.” No, I am not a newbie. Some of these individuals do come around and
I have more than thirty years’ experience and that’s recognize they might actually need help. They start
exactly why I’m there. When the group was first to realize it might be harder than they thought it was
formed the admins asked those of us with experience going to be after watching a dog show on television
and perhaps advice to offer to join to help out or a handling demonstration on YouTube. They come
those that were novices and had lots of questions. to appreciate that they might really need advice from
Many were lacking mentors or so new they didn’t someone with experience and truly begin to listen to
realize they should have one. I have been a fairly answers when they ask questions rather than talking
active participant since I have plenty of learning just to hear themselves speak. They ask for assistance
experiences to share. I’m also a firm believer in to learn to groom and how to present their dog.
learning by Osmosis – why make the same mistake These new exhibitors that “woke up” have a chance of
that someone else has before if they’re willing to making it for the long haul. Those that do not learn
share what went wrong? from their mistakes most likely will not make it to
five years and in the process, the regular exhibitors
In participating in this group it becomes even more in the area will avoid them because they just are not
very pleasant to be around. Of course this will be
obvious that it doesn’t matter what the breed, there due to the fact they are a “threat” rather than to the
are similarities across the board with those new to simple reason that no one wants to listen to them any
the sport of showing dogs. New exhibitors for the more than they have to. Who wants to hear constant
most part, seem to loosely fall into one of several complaints about handlers winning and how things
categories. ought to be done?
One of these is the “Know-it-all.” They think they The next type of new exhibitor is the best kind to
know everything there is to know about the breed have – the “Sponge.” This person not only reads
and how dog shows should be run. They refuse to everything possible and researches on the internet,
accept advice (even when they ask) from those with they go to shows in person to observe and talk to
experience. They will go from one exhibitor to the others in the breed that they have or are interested in.
next asking for an “honest” opinion of their dog They sign up for every class and eagerly attend with
and not liking any of them, will continue until they their dog to learn as much as possible before entering
find someone that says what they want to hear. They their first show. They work to develop a relationship
might take the part in the standard about the dog with at least one longtime breeder/exhibitor and
being “natural” to the extreme. There are those that go to them for help in learning how to properly
don’t do something as simple as brush the dog out groom for the ring. They may get on some’s nerves
and cut the toenails or might not even give them a because they never seem to run out of questions, but
bath. They certainly aren’t going to do any trimming at least they are listening to the answers. These are
though some is allowed. They do not go to handling the people that will do their best to learn from their
classes because they “read the book” and know how mistakes and always want to be better than they were
it’s “supposed” to be done. They go in with the plan the last time they were in the ring. If their dog isn’t
to show all of us how you “really” should show a really of the quality to show, they may continue for
dog. They’ve never actually read the entire first-hand practice while they look for a puppy from
breed standard because their interpretation of a show breeder. They will go to that breeder or if not
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