Question of the Week
Laurie King Telfair
Fayetteville, Arkansas
I’m generally a fan of clapping et al, and don’t really care if it gets raucous, as long as it stays fairly distributed for all participants. I don’t like cheers for one or some, and silence for others. I think the dogs enjoy the high energy and excitement the clapping brings on.
A couple of years ago I was judging in Colorado, and the Collies were showing in a ring next to me. For every entry, single dog or not, the ringside burst into cheers, clapping, laughing and congratulations. They hooted and hollered. It was almost magic. The energy spread to other rings, and the mood was lighter, happier. Loved it. Here’s to clapping at ringside. Here’s to fun.
Jan Dykema
St Helena, California
Yes … polite cheering when the Best in Show comes out or the same for your breed in groups and placements and, of course, when our veterans, Junior winners and NOHS winners come out. I am surprised to see handlers clapping for the dogs handled by their friends and employees while still in the ring. As a judge at breed specialties, I clap when my finalists go around before I place them in appreciation and to honor my fellow breed enthusiasts, and I encourage spectators to do the same.
Once I had a “newbie” showing a dog she had from me cry as she exited the ring because there was wild cheering when the dog in front of her won in an Open class of two. She was sure she had done something wrong. I think judges should announce to the spectators ... please, no applause in the classes until the dogs have been placed or at least until the judge signals it is time to clap. Take a clue from golf … quiet until someone makes a hole in one, or at least breaks par..
Kara Paul
Evansville, Indiana
I think Michele Billings said it best: If you clap for one, you clap for all.
Eve Auch
Gardnerville, Nevada
The real question is this (considering that I’ve been exhibiting for more than 50 years): Dog showing is a sport, but it seems like we’ve lost the component of sportsmanship. How vividly I remember Pat Hastings stopping judging in the specials ring, saying, “This is a sport. If you clap for one, you clap for all.” If that were still the case and exhibitors treated it as a sport, there would be no reason to ask this week’s question. Unfortunately, sportsmanship is now lacking.
Patricia Heart Shaw
Polite clapping for all the competitors is perfect. Until an applause meter replaces AKC judges, think tennis or golf, please!
Dina Burke
Augusta, Kentucky
Let’s be civil.
Also, clap for one, clap for all.
Margie Wilson
Racine, Wisconsin
Clapping for your favorite is fine. I understand people get very passionate about cheering for their favorite, but I wish the wolf calls and stomping feet would stop. It sounds like we’re being attacked by alien invaders. It does not influence the judge; in fact, some judges find it so annoying that it may hurt the chance of your dog.
Jay Hyman
Mt Airy, Maryland
As a judge, when I am judging, if I can hear it or see it, I would ask the person outside the ring to stop the double handling. If they would not, I would not use the dog. I would ask the person in the ring, on the dog, to convey that message.
Nancy Duke
Manchester, Connecticut
Claps and whistles are more than enough. As an exhibitor, it is nice to hear the support from outside the ring, but some dogs don't like the extra noise.
Lilian Barber
Menifee, California
Maybe I’m being old fashioned, but I consider noises like clapping, whistles, wolf calls and foot stomps, etc., to be rude at any public event when used for something other than congratulations for the winner. Considering the fact that dogs have very sensitive hearing compared to humans, these activities should definitely not be used at ringside until the actual competition is over, and then limited to clapping and some human vocal congratulations. This is even more important when a canine activity is indoors, where this type of sound is amplified.
Linda Tilka
Madeira Beach, Florida
This is double-handling and trying to influence the judge. Some judges may need the help, but I ignore those outside the ring and do my own thing. And it is rude, as far as I am concerned. Clapping for the winners and supporting all the entries is a nice gesture and quite permissible.
Janice Leonard
Denver, Colorado
Hand clapping and an occasional “woo-woo” are sufficient to show your support for a dog when it is moving. As a courtesy, clap for one, clap for all. Everyone needs encouragement when showing their dog.
If it makes you feel better about showing support, go ahead and clap at the Best of Breed, Group and BIS level, but frankly I can’t remember a time when it had any effect on who I gave an award to in all these years. Judges are busy computing the qualities of the dogs. Our mindset is totally involved in that process.
Pam Loeb
Shelburne, Vermont
I applaud and sometimes whistle for teams I want to support.
There can be a difference between applauding and "applauding," however. I was in the ring for 4-6 puppy while a group was in a neighboring ring. There was a professional handler standing behind me, applauding for his wife, who was in the group ring. But his applause was a thundering style of hand clap that actually startled the puppies in the ring. I found that unfair and unsportsmanlike for the baby puppies.
Mary Ann Leonard
St. Louis, Michigan
If you clap for one dog, try to clap for all! With the same enthusiasm if possible. Many years ago, it was brought to my attention that I was not doing that, and I’ve tried since to cheer equally. At big shows, my arms sometimes give out, but I still try!
Wyoma Clouss
Meridian, Idaho
When I am judging, I’m focused on the dog, and don’t particularly notice clapping. But if the “noise” goes overboard and breaks my concentration, or it’s a big deal for just one dog, then it’s time for “Clap for one, clap for all.” … Foot stomps? Really?!
Terry Hundt
Sandy Hook, Connecticut
As a handler I didn’t mind it as long as it was for a dog I was showing. Actually, that’s not true! I really think the whistling, the yelling, the shouting is uncalled for. Clapping is OK if not out of control. If these noises are being demonstrated to help the judge decide, I hope they don’t. Or it may hurt the decision — think of that!
Larry Payne
Easley, South Carolina
I am old school when it comes to showing dogs in conformation. I would prefer spectators, including owners, refrain from making a spectacle. The dog is being judged on how well it meets the breed standard, not how well it shows or how well the handler shows it. At least that is how it is supposed to be. I had very showy dogs that loved to show, but I never wanted anyone to act like they were at a rowdy sporting event by cheering for my dog. Some dogs are bothered by noisy outbursts of hooting, hollering and stomping of feet, whistles, etc. It is unfair to the other dogs in the ring.
If we want to start judging dogs on their showmanship, then do away with the breed standard and let the showiest dog win. It's good to see a showy dog in the ring, and I loved showing them and am positive it helps win ribbons, but until that becomes part of the breed standard, just stick to not turning it into a three-ring circus.