Top Tip #40
Remember to always listen to the judge and what they request in handling or breed classes.
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Tag: Dog showing
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Unsporting exhibitors
Unsporting exhibitors
Unfortunately, in dog showing, there are a few people who feel the only way to win is to be unsporting towards their fellow exhibitors. However, if you are unlucky enough to come up against one of these people it’s good to know what they are likely to do, and how you can help yourself.
This can be likewise for newer exhibitors, who maybe just haven’t thought that what they are doing is unsporting and can be considered nobbling another exhibit!
Likely unsporting tactics can include throwing bait, excessive use of a squeaky toy, getting too close to your dog on the stand, or on the move, or trying to distract the handler.
Throwing/ dropping of bait
Some exhibitors like to throw bait to get an alert look from their dog, their dogs are trained to just watch the food that is thrown, but your dog may want to chase it to eat! Likewise some exhibitors may just drop bait on the floor.
To overcome this, teach your dog to leave food on command. This is a good training tip for all dogs, not just show dogs. Put food on the floor when training and ask your dog to leave. Any half decent companion dog training class will teach this activity and some Ringcraft classes may also help you with this if you ask.
Training your dog to “head up” will also help if the smell is left on the ground. (Yes, this is all about training your dog for all possible scenarios.)
Squeaky toy
Squeaky toys can be difficult to deal with if you have a toy obsessed dog, but again, training your dog for the possibility of coming across this can help. Teach your dog the command “watch me” to encourage them to always focus on you. Once you have a strong “watch me” you can get people around you to squeak toys, encourage your dog to ignore the sound and watch you. You will have to reward with something of even higher value though!
Also, always take in a multitude of items for your dog. I often have different treats, rabbit skin and a squeaky toy and although will rarely use, I can if someone is distracting my dog!
Boxed into a corner
Some exhibitors, deliberately, or not, may box you into a corner if you allow them. Do not stand your dog in a corner, either set up across the corner, or if you feel boxed in, take your dog to the end of the line and set up there. Do this quietly and calmly, don’t upset your dog by getting agitated.
Pushing their dog forward in the line / covering your dog from the judges view
When you are standing in the line, make sure when you enter into the ring, you leave enough room from the dog in front of you. If someone comes in behind you that crowds your dog from behind, you have a little room in front to move forward, so still giving you a decent space for your dog.
If an exhibitors steps out of line and moves forward, covering your dog, just move your dog to the back of the line, or ask the steward to space everyone out a bit more.
Running up your dog’s rear end
Sometimes you get a handler who runs their dog up your dog’s rear end. I would get your dog used to other dogs running close to them, so it doesn’t upset them if it happens, but feel free to suddenly stop and ask the exhibitor if they would like to go in front. Hopefully though, most judges will spot this happening and sort it out for you.
Hope this covers most of the situations you may unfortunately come up against. If you hve experienced any of the above, discuss it here.
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What makes a good judge?
What makes a good judge?
I recently asked on the Winning Paws Facebook page what makes a good judge. After reading some comments about different judges at Crufts (mixture of good and bad), I thought it would make an interesting discussion to see what peoples thoughts are. I also know as an exhibitor myself I will not go under “poor” judges more than once, even if they have done my dogs well.
It seems to be common that what makes a good judge is one that can (and does) smile in the ring. Something so simple yet noticed by exhibitors. One comment from Elaine Bradley summed it up for me “To have a sense of humour, be pleasant and be able to smile.”
Another is to be kind and gentle and put at ease the dog AND the handler. Especially new or young people in showing like a judge who gives time to explain what they want in a simple way.
I have seen it myself before, judges wander into the ring and think they are the centre of attention. They don’t smile and they think they are above everyone else, even the exhibitors (who without they would have no appointment!)
So to anyone wanting to judge – smile
To anyone who currently judges – smile
And to all those judges who do smile – THANK YOU!
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What is a match?
What is a match?
Matches can be held by a canine society, normally as an evening event once a month (Maximum of 12 in one year). They are good practice both for those hoping to attempt entering formal shows and for those who are interested in judging. But they are also equally and good (and fun) for more experienced show people. Matches are run for the benefit of members and you must be a member of the society to enter the match.
Entries are taken on the day and dogs are randomly drawn in pairs to compete against each other with the winner of each pairing going forward to the next round until a single winner is reached. A Best in Match and a Best Puppy in Match will be declared at the end of the night.
Judges can be of any level and many societies will choose to have a mixture of new judges and some experienced judges to give their members an opportunity to be judged by different people.
Dogs, which have won a Challenge Certificate or obtained any award that counts towards the title of Champion under the rules of any governing body recognised by the Kennel Club, are not eligible for entry in Matches.
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Marketing
Marketing
Definition of marketing; the action or business of promoting and selling products or services
Marketing is a must in any business to sell products and services and to win in their market.
Over the last few years I have noticed the increase in marketing in dogs to “sell” dogs as being the best (Top Dog, Top Sire, Top Kennel etc). Of course this isn’t new. You just need to look back though the dog papers and annuals from the early 1900’s) to see that adverts have been taken out to “sell” the best dogs to viewers around including fellow exhibitors and judges.
But is it going a step to far for what is a hobby? We now see clothing being worn around shows highlighting details a dogs or Junior Handlers wins rather than just the normal identification of kennel names.
Social media plays a big part too, just like for businesses, it’s a great way to target a large audience and you can often find after shows full adverts highlighting a dogs win, rather than just the post and a picture.
But is it correct? Should a hobby be full of adverts which could influence results for future shows? Or is it just a way of sharing and celebrating success with friends all around the world?
Most judges aren’t influenced by adverts so therefore I believe that the marketing of show dogs must be more to share success with friends.
I just hope this doesn’t go any further and once again be only for the rich who can afford to keep up with the latest trends, leaving the rest behind.
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The British Weather
The British Weather
The British weather is always there to test us when we least want it and quiet often weather conditions over our shows are not ideal. Last year Blackpool was cancelled due to rain and this weekend just gone, many people didn’t make it to Manchester due to the snow and ice.
This weekend a new group was set up on Facebook to use Social Media for good to help spread the word of weather conditions around the country to show venues. I would advise anyone who is one Facebook to join the group. Turn off notifications so you don’t get pings every time someone posts though!
Dog Show Weather and Travel News UK
I would class this as one of the most useful groups on Facebook for dog showers!
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Dog Show Terms Defined
Dog Show Terms Defined
By Bonnie, Nickolai Borzoi – Ohio
1. Great stud dog…..Mounts anything that can fog a mirror.
2. Excels in movement.….If he gets loose, runs like Hell.
3. Personality Plus…..Wakes up if you put liver up his nose.
4. Good bite…..Missed the judge, got the steward.
5. Large boned…..Looks like a Clydesdale.
6. Good Obedience prospect…..Smart enough to come in from the rain but ugly.
7. Quiet and good natured …..In his kennel.
8. Excels in type and style…..However, moves like a spider on speed.
9. Won in stiff competition…..Beat 4 puppies and a 9 year old novice dog.
10. Multiple group winner…..At 2 puppy matches.
11. Pointed…..His head is shaped like a carrot.
12. Noted Judge…..He put up our dog.
13. Respected Judge…..He put up our dog twice.
14. Esteemed Judge…..He puts up anything that crawls.
15. Specialty Judge…..Puts up anything that looks like his own breeding.
16. Won in heavy competition…..The others were revoltingly overweight.
17. Shown Sparingly…..Only when we had it in the bag.
18. Show Prospect…..He has 4 legs, 2 eyes, 2 ears, and 1 tail.
19. Finished in 5 shows…..And 89 where he failed to win a ribbon.
20. Well Balanced…..Straight as a stick, front and rear
21. Handled brilliantly by…..Nobody else can get near him.
22. At stud to “approved” bitches…..Those bitches whose owners check is “approved” by our bank.
23. Linebred from famous champions…..Ch Whoozitz appears twice 6th generation.
24. Terrific brood bitch…..Her conformation is the pits, but she throws big litters.
25. Wins another Best In Show…..His second, under the same judge, our uncle.
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Winning Paws Ringcraft (Stotfold)
Winning Paws Ringcraft (Stotfold)
I’ve just got in from the first Winning Paws Ringcraft, held at the Roecroft Centre in Stotfold, Bedfordshire.
I (Roxanne) and my friend Jane Ashwell-Carter have taken on the slot of Roecroft Ringcraft after it faced closure. Both of us wanted to keep this local, friendly ringcraft going and it has been in my mind for ages to set up a ringcraft class and with Jane this will be a great partnership and with the help of her son Michael.
Our first night I can only claim as a success. We are so pleased with the amount of support that turned up for our first night and hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Although we weren’t expecting the amount that turned up and didn’t plan for it, we think it went well. Don’t think every session will be the same, we will try and do different things each time to get the dogs used to different things.
I just want to share some lovely comments we have received already on our opening night from Facebook;
“Thank you both for a most enjoyable evening, thank Michael for helping look after my dogs and look forward to the next one. Good company, good training and nice cuppa and cake.”
“Viva sleeping soundly after her first session. Many thanks ladies, see you in two weeks.”
“I am looking forward to the next one! Excellent environment for my pup to be in and chatted to some lovely people and not forgetting the first class training too! So pleased with Bo this evening. Thank you.”
Editor note: Due to time commitments of both Roxanne and Jane, the ringcraft in Stotfold has now closed. This was a hard decision, and we both miss the club.
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Dog shows in heaven – joke
Dog shows in heaven – joke
One day in Heaven, Saint Peter, Saint Frances, and St. Paul were standing near the dog kennels watching the dogs frolic, while admiring the beauty of the Afghans and Borzoi…
“I am certainly bored”, stated Peter. “Me too” chimed in Paul. “I know what we can do, let’s have a dog show !”
Both thought that was a great idea until Paul pointed out that there would be no competition. “We have all the World and National Champions right here already” “Let’s call Satan! “, Peter replied. “His kennels are filled the spoiled, non sighthounds, difficult and mean dogs. We’ll have built a major that we would certainly win.” And so Satan was called on the Hot Line.
He laughed and asked why they would invite him and his dogs, only to be humiliated because he would certainly beat them.
Peter and Paul did not understand. “What do you mean you would humiliate us? We have all of the World and National Champions in our Heavenly kennels. Even the top producing stud dog of all time, Best In Show Champion, Afghan Hound, Coastwind “Abraxas”. How could you possibly beat us?”
Satan laughed again and said, ” Have you gentlemen forgotten so soon? I have all the judges!”
Crufts 2013 is on it’s way – 59 days to go
Postal entries have now closed for Crufts 2013, although there is still a week left for online entries.
This year will see some changes at Crufts, it’s the first year that breeds on the Import Register are able to compete at Crufts in Any Variety Import Register classes. The winner won’t be able to enter the group but this is still a first for these breeds. There will also be early starts (8am) for some breeds on Sunday. This is to ensure that Best in Show is held at the correct time to be aired live on More 4.
Bad news for this year is the increase in car parking charges set by the NEC. Parking will now cost £10 and can be purchased on the day and no-one is 100% sure on what is happening with the West Car Park since it was sold to the Airport. Hopefully the whole carpark will be available to use!
Crufts is always a highlight of my year. Showing, Discover Dogs, friends from around the world and of course the shopping!
I also hope to meet lots of Winning Paws clients and followers there.