At a dog show there is nothing better than the feeling when the judge points at your dog as the winner. That is not entirely true. The best feeling is when the judge points at your dog as the winner and you are holding the leash!
Thunder was the first dog that hubby showed. Back in 2007 when hubby started to show Thunder, most Chessies were shown by their breeders or their owners. Hubby rarely competed against professional handlers. On rare occasions, we would see a handler showing a dog that came in from out of state. On rarer occasions a handler would show a dog for an owner who was not physically able to show their own dog. Sadly that seems to be changing as more and more Chessies are shown by professional handlers. I don’t mean to single out Chessies because it is true for many breeds in addition to Chessies and almost always true when it comes to the Group and Best of Breed competitions.
I am not sure why this has changed.
We are very fortunate because our dogs’ breeders have always encouraged hubby to show his own dogs. They have mentored hubby including giving him lessons on how to stack and move a dog when he was starting out with Thunder. Even now if he asks, they will watch him work the dog in the ring and offer advice about how he can improve as a handler.
Long time handlers, whether it is a breeder or a professional handler, make showing a dog look easy. Make no mistake about it. It is a lot of work. Many people think showing a dog is all about posing and parading the dog. It is so much more than that. It takes a lot of practice and perhaps in this day an age of instant everything, people do not want to take the time to learn so they hire a pro. However, by not showing their own dog, these people are missing out.
They miss out on learning about the proper structure and movement of a dog. They miss out on learning about their dog’s strengths and weaknesses. They miss out on learning how to teach the dog to stand for inspection, or show its bite, or move with them. Most of all they miss out on having fun and bonding with their dog.
Don’t get me wrong. Showing your own dog can also be very frustrating at times, especially for an amateur handler.
Sometimes you can practice practice practice and show the dog to its absolute best and the judge doesn’t even bother to look at your dog. Maybe the judge just does not care for your dog or maybe it is politics where a more familiar face, whether it be a professional handler or a long time breeder, has the edge. As the popular song says: you just have to shake it off. There is always another show and maybe the next judge will like your dog better.
You also have to have a thick shin. Sometimes a judge will make a comment that doesn’t go over so well. Sometimes it will be a comment about how you are showing the dog. Perhaps it is meant by way of constructive criticism. Fair enough.
Every once in a while you will get a judge who will make a comment about the dog which is a bit harder to take.
For example, way back when hubby was trying to finish up Thunder’s championship we went to a small show up in northern Michigan. The judge was a very petite elderly lady. I am not exaggerating when I say that Thunder’s head came up almost to her shoulder. She took one look at him and said: “That dog should be hunting lions and not ducks”. What? He is a large dog but not out of standard for height. He is also a hunting dog and on that particular day he was the only dog in the ring with a hunt test title, (but in fairness the judge did not know about the hunt test title). Needless to say she barely looked at him. It is funny now, but back then, not so much.
Again you just have to shake it off and move on to the next show.
Freighter is 4 points away from his Championship. Thunder earned his Championship a couple of months after his third birthday. Hubby an amateur owner/handler put every single point on Thunder and all but one point of Freighter (that one point was thanks to his breeder/owner). The titles are wonderful, but I would not trade the joys or frustrations of the journey for anything.
Interesting! There is so much behind a dog show that people don’t know (including myself) I can imagine how snickity judges can be at times too. Yes, I just made that word up (snickity) haha!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Never really thought before how hard it would be to learn to properly show a dog. I’m sure I’d make a mess of it, so congrats to hubby for doing it himself! I think you’re right, those other owners are missing out on some great bonding time!
Congratulations to your husband! I totally get it. I started off showing Sherman and was quickly frazzled. It was a lot of pressure and I was intimated by the professional handlers so we hired one. In a way I’ve always regretted it because I know how much I missed out on. We’ve already made the decision that the one will be handled by us all the way! The show ring needs more owner/handlers in the ring for sure!
Our breeders have mostly handled our girl, but she knew if “he” was in the ring simultaneously with another “girl”. Macha’s look said, “What the heck do you think you are doing parading another girl?” Not one of her finer moments. We have a friend who takes Macha in as a veteran now, she
is happy to have someone she loves at the end of her lead!
A judge once remarked, “Your dog knows what she is doing, even if you do not.” My husband is fine at practice but in the ring, excellence gives way to uncertainty! His gait is not great!
I am the sideline clapper! Or water girl. I do wish Chessies were still handled by their owners and that judges saw the uniqueness of each of these wonderful companions!
We think owners should show their own dogs too. It means so much more if you actually achieve goals yourself, but I think showing has become such a business, that is why professional handlers are so “in” these days. Good for your hubby doing the showing.
I can understand how frustrating it must be at times, but on the other hand the rewards are so much great when you’re doing it yourself. I would hope the trade off is worth it. But yes, to me, the bonding would be the best part about it and so many of those owners are missing out. But then again, maybe their motivations are different than yours? Winning may be far more important to them than enjoying the journey.
I think your are right about the “age of instant” for sure! When I was a teenager I did some (4-H) dog shows with my family dog and it is definitely hard work!
One of my sons and his wife show their dogs and they are always exhausted after every dog show. They work hard getting ready for the shows too, so I know what goes into showing dogs. I am amazed how well you all do with the training for hunting and showing your beautiful brown dogs. Bravo for you, hubby and the dogs…great work and thank you for sharing the pictures that you post. Hugs and nose kisses all around
When I do watch a dog show (which is rare) I often wonder how the judges make their determinations. I think sometimes they are a bit biased based on their love of a particular breed. Like I could totally see me favoring, Labs, Chessies and Beagles. No rhyme or reason there, LOL
I’m an amateur owner/handler still trying to put a point on my first dog. It’s a lot harder than it looks on TV. This has been a tough week for me and I can’t tell you how much your post meant to me today. Thanks.
Kelley’s Dog Blog – The A to Z of Dog Shows from a Newbie’s Point of View
You are welcome. Hope you get that point soon.
This was a beautiful post written from the heart that I can say I’ve been there and will continue to be there. Thank you, the end result of you accomplishing something with your dog is one of the greatest feelings. I hope soon I will feel that with gmans MH and not have to feel all the frustration but if so it is what it is.
Hi Y’all!
Our AKC trainer gives handling classes and will go to shows with you as a coach. It was where my Human was heading me when my allergies and rashes became such a serious problem; I never had the good coat. I was pointed when my Human got me and she wanted to finish my championship. I’ll never have the chance now, cause the vet gave me the snip when I was 3 in an effort to control my allergies.
I’m just a fun lovin’ family pet now!
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
A friend of mine used to show Chinese Cresteds, even before their AKC recognition. The first weekend they were recognized, judges fell all over themselves trying to be the one who put up the first Crested for BIS. The next weekend, my friend was showing her nice little bitch in the classes (because they had to start all over with their championships), and the judge commented on her beautiful movement. Judged complimented the next dog by saying “What a pretty little girl.” The handler said “Yes, pretty enough to go BIS last weekend.” Aaand who do you think the points went to? Sometimes it is infuriating!
You have lovely dogs. Freighter is getting to his title quickly!
Thank you. It is getting a bit frustrating. Might have to wait because hunt test season is kicking in.
It all sounds rather bias. :/ Donna is happy to be a pet mongrel dog hahaha! 😛
Good luck on Freighter’s Championship! We thought about showing our guys but decided not to, and several people were quite upset when we decided not to show Doc.
It is never too late, as long as he is still intact. 🙂