Fri, 01/19/2024 - 6:57am

Where's the "Special" in "Specialty"?

Sid Marx ponders that and some other dog-show dilemmas

I guess we will accept the definition of a specialty show as “events limited to a single breed or the varieties of one breed. Some specialty shows may be held in conjunction with an All-Breed event while others are stand-alone events.”

Technically, I suppose that is all correct. However, when a show has a total entry of 20 or under — sometimes even fewer than 10 entries — I don’t know how we can consider that very special. 

What has happened to our specialties? I know I am an old fogey, but I remember when my breed would consistently have an entry of close to 100 or more at a specialty. We used to have more dogs in the Bred-by or Open class than there is in an entire specialty now. (Certainly, I am not speaking of our nationals, which still get great entries.) Watching some of these specialties is embarrassing at times. 

There used to be many reasons to show at a specialty. Of course, this used to be where you could try to win a major — and these are getting harder and harder to find. But there were other reasons. We were proud of our dogs or bitches and were happy to have them seen by our peers. There are often a few people ringside who are getting ready to judge our breed, and we would also want these people to see our dogs. Specialties often gave us the opportunity to see what was in our breed at the time, and we would study to decide on stud dogs or from which bitches we might want to get a puppy.

Finally, and not the least important reason to show at specialties, was the opportunity to socialize with others in our breed.

Where has all that gone? 

If social media has any value whatsoever (and I am not sure it does), it is proof that the increased animosity that exists among owner-handlers, professionals and judges is at an all-time high. The number of people who must live on the internet and believe that (1) judges never read or do not know the breed standards, (2) judges are crooked or political (what exactly does that mean?), and/or (3) have a personal vendetta about the internet writer seems to be in direct proportion to the us-against-them mentality and lack of accountability that have overtaken our community and the country. And, in the midst of all this, our specialty shows have ceased to be special. As a matter of fact, some specialty clubs have decided to cease holding shows because entries were so low.

Any member of our community who doesn’t think there is any reason to be concerned about our future has to be part ostrich. Many clubs are struggling to survive amid the poisoning proliferation of more and more shows. There used to be exhibitors who only showed at specialties, believing that the judging was better, but where are these people now? Being able to advertise a dog as a specialty winner (BISS) when that specialty had an entry of under 15 is absurd and meaningless. Maybe we need to redefine what constitutes a specialty. Amid all the complaints about poor judging, how can judges who want to judge your breed gain knowledge, insight and understanding if they can’t see a good cross-section of the breed at a specialty? It’s a real shame that our specialties are just not very special anymore.

There are people in my breed — and yours — who work hard to put on a specialty. There are new judges who want to improve their knowledge of your breed and the judging process by judging sweepstakes. And there are judges who would love to judge an entry of your breed that has good depth of quality. The least you can do — if you care about your breed — is support that entry. 

 

*  *  *

 

We all talk about wanting a “sound” dog — in the ring and at home. Certainly, structure and movement are part of being sound, and for me, temperament is certainly also an important aspect of soundness. As I have said in previous articles, I cringe when I see poor — or improper — temperament in the ring. My breed is described as having a “rollicking personality. Shyness, hostility or timidity are uncharacteristic of the breed. An outgoing, stable temperament is the essence of the Irish Setter.” Very simply, an Irish Setter with a tucked tail should never be awarded a ribbon. Hopefully, this is just a young dog in “scary” conditions that will bounce back quickly. 

Just as it is wrong for a breed whose temperament is supposed to be friendly, reliable, and trustworthy to be over-the-top Ya-Ya and overly “high,” a breed whose temperament is described as “Reserved around strangers and off its territory is acceptable. Responsiveness with animation is not characteristic of the breed” should not be expected to show with the same attitude as an Irish Setter. At the other end of the spectrum, we should not accept a dog who continues to back off from a judge as “this is just what this breed is like” when the breed standard says, “Fault - Excessively timid, hysterical or aggressive character.” Simply put, we (judges) are charged with protecting the breed, and temperament has to be considered as an integral part of that breed standard. The two most important traits a successful breeder should strive to produce is health and temperament. 

*  *  *

Sometimes membership in an all-breed, group or parent club is a lot more difficult than it should be. I know of some people who are excellent breeders who have essentially been blackballed from membership in a parent club. Whatever the reason given, it is obvious that the green-eyed monster of jealousy is the basis for this incredibly wrong decision by “those in power.” And, speaking of “power,” I have recently heard from people who are respected breeders, judges and leaders who are “not welcome” in their parent clubs. When clubs push aside talented, knowledgeable people in favor of cliques, politics or just plain power-hungry people, we all suffer. There is definite value in having and discussing differences of opinion (unless it is mine), and to preclude that weakens an organization. Good people are leaving our community because of many things, and one of them is feeling demeaned or unwelcome by groups and clubs. We cannot afford to lose good people because others are flexing their imagined muscles. Our very system of judging is based on differences of opinion, or we might as well just have one show a year. And, by the way, being in a “leadership position” in a club is absolutely no guarantee of success in the ring. As they say, “cream will rise to the top,” and those with knowledge, passion and integrity will continue to be the backbone of our community.

 

*  *  *

 

Speaking of parent clubs, why would you remove people from a mentoring area at your specialties if they are there because they want to learn? Why remove qualified people who are mentoring others? C’mon, it’s not supposed to be a power trip — it’s supposed to be educational opportunity for people who want to learn your breed.

 

*  *  *

 

With the greatest respect to Edgar Allan Poe, I have borrowed, left out some stanzas, and changed his words to describe what may happen to our community if we continue to allow our specialties to become less than match shows, ignore temperament, and use our clubs for personal gratification and power. The core of our fancy can never allow those who use our dog-show community for their own personal power trips, which inevitably make the betterment of our dogs suffer. I beseech you — NEVERMORE.

 

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore —

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door —

Only this and nothing more.”

 

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December;

And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow; — vainly I had sought to borrow

From my books surcease of sorrow — sorrow for the lost DOG COMMUNITY

For the rare and radiant community whom the angels name …

Nameless here for evermore.

 

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,

In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;

Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;

But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door —

Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door —

Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

 

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,

By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,

“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,

Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore —

Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”

Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”

 

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted — nevermore!

 

 

© Dog News. This article may not be reposted, reprinted, rewritten, excerpted or otherwise duplicated in any medium without the express written permission of the publisher.

Stay Connected

YES! Send me Dog News' free newsletter!