Question of the Week

Kit Rodwell

Whittier, North Carolina

When I was handling (back in the Dark Ages, before the world went overboard on legal issues), handlers who judged the Juniors were able to ask them questions (i.e., “What is a disqualification for this breed?” or “Point to the stifle”), and even ask the senior kids to swap dogs (that separated those with “hands” from those with a well-trained dog). I do wish AKC would allow not only Best Junior Showmanship and Reserve, but how about a Best Novice rosette to keep the enthusiasm up for the youngsters?  

Leslie Sorensen

Keenesburg, Colorado

I LOVE judging Juniors! Many judges may drop judging, though, due to the new requirement from AKC that all judges of Juniors be proficient in recognizing sexually abused Juniors and how to relate to all children with that in mind. Lawsuits from parents will be forthcoming IF the subject EVER arises from any show! We are not therapists, and one class is not enough to become astute in recognizing behaviors that may point to this. Two minutes in a show ring! Now, generally speaking, the education would help anyone POSSIBLY recognize behaviors in a child in a family environment. Requiring the education of Juniors judges is outside of the AKC’s windows. If one faction, why not all? 

Peter Gaeta

Iron Station, North Carolina

I have spent a number of years teaching all levels in public school systems. I am a fervent supporter of kids participating in our sport. I wrote and presented numerous seminars on judging Juniors. I do not judge Juniors.

In the late ’60s and early ’70s, when kids just entered the day of the show and whatever handler is available was selected to judge, I judged them once. In a class of 10 or 11 kids, I placed a young girl with a Doberman second. On my way out of the ring, I was accosted by a mother who berated me for the placement. “Every time you turned around that child was jerking that dog around and scolding it.”

I have always had a mouth problem. Hmmm, I thought, before I blurted out: “It’s too bad I did not see that. Each time I looked at the dog it was standing like a statue with its ears up, staring at her. If I had known it was that hard to handle, I would have given her first." Clearly, this was not a “push button” dog.  

I never agreed to judge Juniors again. 

That experience created a dilemma for me that I have never resolved. What of a 12-year-old who brings a Poodle or an Airedale into the ring that looks like it is ready to be presented in the group? Who groomed it? And the judge cannot even ask that question. Then you have an impeccably but surely “ghost” groomed exhibit in competition with another grooming-intensive breed that is not groomed very well but is presented impeccably. What do you do? 

I have chosen not to deal with those issues. I welcome youngsters into the regular breed classes provided they are able to control their dogs, and they have an absolutely even chance of winning there.

Regarding the recent requirements for approved Juniors judges to take a course outlining signs to look for regarding potential child abuse and what to do if you spot it: A number of years ago I was presented with a situation that needed attention. On a circuit, I mediated and facilitated the move of a young woman from a handler’s employ who was traveling with him to the family of a young friend of hers on the same circuit. Even though that incident turned out well, when I recently took the course, I learned that I did not handle it correctly. We should all want to take the course.    

I see that judges are resigning Juniors approval in some numbers and believe it is for many different reasons. Whether it is the test, or lack of interest, one thing is clear: They would rather not judge them. And that is fair. However, we all need to know how to protect young people and be willing to do so.

Michelle Wolcott

Conway, South Carolina

I personally love to judge Juniors. It is a great way to help the next generation of handlers. I like to watch how they interact with the dog when they think I'm not watching. Are they talking to a friend, or playing with their hair staring off into space? Or are they brushing their dog, giving him water, talking to him, working with him? I think it shows a lot how they interact with the dog. Are they just going through the motions because they have a pageant mom standing outside the ring making them do it, or do they honestly and truly love the sport of showing a dog?

I think the new rule of the Juniors not having to own the dog that they're showing in Juniors does have some effect. I see Juniors soliciting on Facebook for a dog to show in Juniors for every specialty that's going on on a particular weekend. I feel they do not have a connection with the dog they are showing. They show up most of the time, pick up a dog that's already groomed, trimmed and trained, walk into the ring, show it, then turn around and hand it back to the rightful owner, and they are moving onto the next. There is no connection with the dog. Also, they are taking in a dog whose standard they don't know. Like, does it go on the ramp or table, or what do you show on a bite? I remember 30 years ago when I was in Juniors, we would have 20 or more kids in a class. Now a lot of times there is only a handful. We were judged on handling skills. I bet very few would know how to do a "T."

Molly Martin

Pike Road, Alabama

Not nearly as rewarding as it used to be. The last Junior I tried to help with a suggestion pretty much blew me off. Young people in general seem to feel much more entitled, and that goes for many of the parents, too. I have had classes so clueless, I've been tempted to withhold. In the past, most children have had at least an idea about what they were supposed to do — not so now. I blame the parents for sending them in unprepared. The judges should be evaluating skills, not teaching the basics. Would you take your child to a swim meet and expect the officials to teach him or her to swim?

Patti Clark

Newtown, Connecticut

I have only been a Juniors judge for about three years, so maybe I am indoctrinated into the new "way." That being said, in my assignments, I have never run into criticism from the AKC reps or from parents of the exhibitors. I truly enjoy those assignments, and at times it is really hard work to separate out the winner. There are so many excellent Juniors in my area.   

Jason Hoke

Madison, Wisconsin

Juniors is a pathway for our youth to begin to understand many life lessons. As judges of Juniors, we should always take the time to speak with any Junior after judging to impart to them our ideals and perceptions as to proper "BREED SPECIFIC" presentations. I grew up in the sport, and Juniors were integral to staying in the world of purebred dogs. I think you must enjoy judging them, and we ourselves have to have a strong background in how each breed is presented. I've been fortunate to judge the Junior Finals at Crufts, the World Dog Show and the Westminster Kennel Club. Needless to say, I love seeing new youth come up through the sport and become the great new breeders and handlers. I applaud the AKC board of directors and the Show Safe organization for their progressive actions in helping to educate Junior judges about child safety. We can never be vigilant enough.

Joan Krumm

Poplar Grove, Illinois

For the past 15 or so years, I have followed Junior-showmanship competition in AKC and have worked with many Juniors during this time, giving me an inside look at the overall program, benefits and ideals.    

In my opinion, this is the toughest class in an AKC show to win consecutively. There are some superb judges who enjoy judging juniors, who are able to work with very capable presenters and novice beginners equally, and are also able to judge the correct presentation of each breed, putting all competitors in an understandable order of achievement. Kudos to those professional judges who do such an awesome job!

Many other times it is obvious what the interest of the judge is in the way they place only Sporting dogs well, or Hounds, or Toys, because they are most knowledgeable in those breed areas.  It must be terribly difficult to find the best overall Junior showing a Shar-Pei or a Russian Toy for a judge very dedicated to judging Working dogs without knowing the proper presentation of those breeds when another Junior just learning to show their huge Working dog has a beautiful and well-trained or well-known entry with a less-than-correct presentation. Many times, that Working dog can receive top honors in the class or better because of the judge's knowledge of the breeds shown.

Other judges needed more dogs to judge to fill their judging assignment so they are forced to adjudicate a group of Juniors showing breeds they are not familiar with, nor would they ever want to own or even judge the presented breeds.

The Juniors for the most part are sincerely interested in doing their best, love the selection of their dog, and are loving the competition and companionship of other exhibitors and family members who support them. Many have mentors who cheer them on and who have interest in promoting their breed. Some Juniors “work” for handlers who give them tips on the correct presentation of various dogs they chose to show.  

Success for young people wanting to win in Junior showmanship depends on a very dedicated team of volunteers, mentors and cooperating parents who capture the enthusiasm and dedication of each Junior. While learning the tools of the system, valuable life lessons of hard work, wins and losses come along. The selection of experienced and well-trained dogs enables the Junior to achieve valuable life lessons of high ethics and good sportsmanship.  

Judging juniors is a huge responsibility in creating outstanding leaders of the future through competent, fair and accurate adjudication. Juniors hold you in high regard as you evaluate their performance. It is a great honor to be evaluating them, and they will never forget you.

Doreen Dysert 

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Judge the Junior, not the dog! So many Juniors are given these "champion show dogs" that are "push button" dogs! The Junior doesn't have to do anything but stand there!

Lydia Hutchinson

Middletown, Maryland

I chose not to judge Junior Showmanship at all-breed shows many years ago for a specific reason. Judges used to be allowed to ask questions of the Juniors, and I used that technique, based on their replies, to help make my decisions. (For example, I would question them regarding the standard for their breed or about structure.) Many of the experienced Juniors were so skillful that it was difficult for me to base my placements solely on performance.

Vincent Mulligan

Petaluma, California

The Junior program is very important, as that is where our new people will be coming from. I have been very lucky to have been able to judge that wonderful group of great kids for the last 38 years, and I hope for many more. I understand why it was important for Juniors judges to take the Stewards of Children program.

Marlene Groves

Kiowa, Colorado

I love judging the future of our sport! I especially love seeing Juniors in the showmanship ring who are clearly bonded with their dog in some way, and who are smiling, and showcasing (not showboating) their dog!

For me it does not mean a dog/team needs to look so perfect that it is rather robotic in motion and patterns. It also does not mean that a possibly naughty or difficult dog is not bonded with a Junior, as it could be a puppy, or maybe a male that has a female in season at home or in the set-up or maybe just overly tired trying to do breed, NOHS and Juniors, etc.

Judging juniors is truly the most subjective judging. Some judges look for one thing, and others do not want it (i.e., eye contact or only free stacks, etc.). Some judges reward the ultra-polished kids, while other reward a bit of work, and recently at a dog show a judge told me she did not reward Juniors who do not follow simple, easy instructions.  

It is wonderful when you witness great Junior sports who are happy for their friends and/or happy for any other competitor who did outstanding and won! From the AKC Code of Sportsmanship: “Sportsmen find that vigorous competition and civility are not inconsistent and are able to appreciate the merits of their competition and the efforts of their competitors.”

That said, the Juniors ring can be a happy/fun place, or it can be a place where, sadly, some adults bring negativity (including comments about the winners that are very unsportsmanlike, and it spills over onto their youth); and it is always difficult when Juniors may feel bad if they don’t win and they want to know why. I do give Juniors tips, things like: “Listen to instructions, pay attention to the other classes, show your dog as your breed should be shown (not like a uni-dog), smile, don’t get frustrated, keep showing your dog the best you can, and remember you are not going to win every time, as some days another Junior does better on that day.”

In my humble opinion, the culture of the Juniors ring has changed, with so much more focus from Juniors and parents on the ribbons, rankings, etc., that it seems to have taken it off Juniors truly learning the sport of purebred dogs, improving their skills and learning sportsmanship.

Bill Stebbins

Port St. Lucie, Florida

I would think that most clubs across the country have asked the same question to themselves … “Where is our next generation of dog people coming from?”

There are several reasons why this question is being asked. I have always believed that one of the answers is to support our Juniors.

I have always looked at Juniors as the upcoming generation of breeders, professional handlers and judges. They have grown up in an environment where both their mechanical skills with dogs as well as their professional demeanor have developed to a level that is wonderful to see. Although I am dating myself, we have one of our field reps whom I used to judge in Juniors. I am proud to say that I was the person that made the suggestion for the addition of the Intermediate class to the Juniors competition. This, I believe, has helped some of our Juniors to stay active. Too often they were in the ring with other Juniors whose skills were simply better than their own. As a teenager, self-esteem is sometimes not a strong asset. All I wanted is for more kids to get ribbons. Rather than having another losing experience, I wanted more kids to go home that night with a ribbon and be able to say, “Look what I did today, Daddy.”

When taking win photos, I will often ask handlers if they came up though Juniors. I don’t think any of them have ever said no. Let’s do what we can to keep today’s Juniors active in our sport for years to come.

Sue Bauman 

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Juniors should be judged on how they follow directions from the judge and how they present their properly groomed dog in accordance with the breed standards.

Linda Tilka

Madeira Beach, Florida

I love judging Juniors.

I look at them as being our future. You can see who will make a difference in our breed rings. We need to encourage these Juniors with a positive experience in the ring. This being said, if you are a judge who does not care to judge Juniors, do not take an assignment to judge them. They are special.