Page 7 - Sloughi Review - Issue 1
P. 7
THE SLOUGHI REVIEW 07
Often one hears the complaint (not so One has to consider many things: that
much in Sloughis) that the judges favor the many judges were former handlers, many
handlers. Yes, some judges absolutely do, judges have been long time exhibitors,
and as an exhibitor, you need to go to such as myself, and that many times,
enough shows to test this theory for choosing a similar type animal at repeated
yourself. Do not rely on the word of others. shows can be construed as favoritism,
Many handlers lose just as often, but if when in fact, the judge feels that that type
they bring 20 dogs to a show, and the of animal is his/her preferred embodiment
average exhibitor brings 2 or 3, they have of proper breeding stock, and award
much less time to complain about it. ribbons and points as such.
Also, a handler’s job IS dog shows, the In the end, judging is not really about the
average exhibitor’s is not, so one would handler, the owner, or the exhibitor, it is
hope and expect that the handler you about judging the animal and making
choose is more proficient in presenting decisions as to whether or not the animal
their dogs at their best, compared to the in front of the judge, on that day, at that
weekend warrior, which I was for many moment, is of good enough quality to pass
years. on its genes. Nothing more.
Politics is an interesting topic. It is not It is not about you, the amount of wins, the
limited to AKC shows, and can be found kennel, it is a 2 minute assessment of what
even in livestock shows, and is a factor in that dog has to offer, and if it is good
life, in terms of promotions and favoritism, enough to be included in creating the next
perceived or real. Judges are not infallible, generation.
and some blatantly play favorites. I do not
agree with the practice, but it exists. It is something many exhibitors lose sight
of far too often.
Nancy Lovelady has been a breeder,
exhibitor, handler and is now an AKC judge
of Terriers and some Sighthounds.
She has been active in dog shows since the
mid 1980s, and currently is involved in
Sloughis.
© Devon Allen She has attended and exhibited in FCI and
AKC shows as well as in the UK, Finland,
Mexico and New Zealand.
