Behind the Scenes

The judge steps into the center of the ring holding two large rosettes as seven quality dogs are lined up before her. She makes a few comments, then awards Reserve Best in Show and the coveted Best in Show. After the applause, everyone disperses, and the metaphorical curtain comes down on another show.

Well, that was easy.

Or was it? What did it take to put this show on? When did preparations start? Have you ever been on a show committee to see what it actually takes to put on a show?

Let’s pull back the curtain.  

Aspects of the show probably started two years before, when the judges’ committee — or the one person who makes these decisions — chose a judging slate, contacted and hired the judges, and completed the necessary paperwork for AKC approval. Breed and group assignments had to be worked out. Then someone had to locate and negotiate for the show site — where the costs seemingly continue to rise every year. Someone — maybe the hospitality chairperson — inspected and contacted local hotels to try to get the best rates possible for judges and exhibitors. The vendor chairperson recruited vendors and worked out spaces for them.

Finally, it is the week of the show. The day before the show, one or two people show up to lay out — with chalk or tape — crating and grooming spaces. Unless you have someone like Harry Miller in the East or Ron Matson in the West, the person who drew the short straw prepares the grounds, and will be in charge of parking. If it is an outdoor show, the grounds have to be mowed — and no one will ever be satisfied with the length of grass — and relatively flat areas have to be located for the show superintendent to set up the rings. If it is an indoor show, the size of the rings has been established with the superintendent, and the rings are set up. Members of the show committee set up club tables and hospitality areas, and are there to handle any last-minute problems.

The day before the show is usually the time that the show chair receives that phone call about a judge who at the very last-minute realizes she is too sick to make it to the show. Now the stressful scrambling starts as a replacement judge must be found and/or assignments are rearranged. Often the show superintendent is a big help here. 

Now it is the day of the show. Those who RV and stay on the show grounds are used to hearing the dogs starting to bark at around 6 a.m. or maybe earlier as dogs are let out, fed and exercised. Members of the show committee — who usually easily qualify for Social Security benefits — show up well before 7 a.m., and start to fill coolers for the ring, set up the judges’ hospitality room with coffee and donuts, and the chief steward is checking to make sure all her stewards are accounted for. Of course, one steward has fallen, and can’t make it to the show. Changes must be made, and the chief steward now has to cover a ring. 

By 7 a.m., grooming has started on many dogs, and inevitably a fuse is blown, and handlers are screaming for the show chair and the grounds chairperson to get it fixed. Around 7:15 to 7:30 the judges start arriving, the committee members in the hospitality room get even busier, and the stewards pick up their bags and head out to set up their rings.

When the show begins, everyone is in motion. The clean-up crew is kept busy going from ring to ring and in the grooming area. Good stewards keep the ring moving along so that the judges can stay on time, passing their opinions on 20 to 25 dogs per hour. Show superintendents go ring to ring, picking up the completed sheets from the judge’s books. The AKC field representative moves around, on alert, and watches the permit judges go through their paces. The show chairperson answers questions and complaints from exhibitors and professional handlers, continuing to hope that nothing more serious occurs.

This is the time that judges are front and center, hopefully getting to choose from classes of good dogs. Young assistants to professionals go from ring to ring, checking on how many entries have picked up their numbers so that the handlers can time which ring to head to next. Owner-handlers lovingly groom their dogs, waiting for their two minutes on stage. 

A ring temporarily comes to a halt as the judge calls for the wicket to measure a dog. The AKC rep stands nearby, supervising that the process is done correctly. The judge marks his book as measured in or measured out and initials it accordingly. The handler with the dog that measured in lets out the breath he has been holding, and continues to show his dog. 

Finally, it is time for the groups. Inevitably, the judges’ conversation turns to why groups weren’t scheduled earlier, since some of them have been sitting for some time waiting for the listed time for judging. Each dog in the group struts his or her stuff, and (paid?) assistants cheer, clap and whistle wildly for the dogs shown by their employers.  

Eventually, we have seven group winners ready to enter the ring for Best in Show competition. It is always an honor to judge Best in Show, and the judge proudly enters the ring. Each judge has her own procedure for classes, groups and Best in Show. Finally, the judge enters the ring holding two large rosettes. Often the judge will utter some words that very few people can hear, and even less care what is said, and she points to the Reserve Best in Show winner, followed by the Best in Show winner. They all head toward the backdrop to have their photos taken for posterity (and advertising). 

So, the show is over — right? No! The show superintendent has already been breaking down rings, and now the Best in Show ring is taken down as the superintendent begins loading his truck. The AKC rep finishes up her paperwork, and hopefully all her interviews are finished. The club’s clean-up crew goes into action, pulling up tape or erasing chalk marks and sweeping up the entire area. At an outside show, the clean-up crew takes a last-minute walkaround, checking for any areas that have to be picked up, and trash bags are collected.

Exhibitors pack up all their paraphernalia and dogs. Professionals pack their trucks, while a few of them finish up some last-minute grooming for the next show. The winners are happy. A few of those who did not win have enjoyed the day and learned something. Others are still griping about the unfair judging.

The club’s treasurer makes sure each judge has been paid and collects all monies from catalogs. The shuttle van shows up to pick up the judges who are returning to the hotel, and those who are heading to the airport say their goodbyes and start up their rental cars. The hospitality committee begins cleaning up their room. Stewards empty the coolers that were in the rings. The chief steward makes sure her stewards have been paid (or thanks the club members who have volunteered to steward). As a good friend reminded me, let’s not forget the fun job of returning club-property coolers, tubs and pooper scoopers (which need to be cleaned and bleached) to the club storage unit. Hopefully the show is uneventful, but complaints or actions may require a bench committee, which will necessitate pulling club members from their jobs. Hopefully the judges followed the contract and expense guidelines and got a decent airfare and didn’t rent an unauthorized SUV… resulting in the treasurer having apoplexy!

The show chair waits until everyone is gone to make sure nothing has been missed. It is almost guaranteed that the show chair will have a few adult drinks and sleep late tomorrow morning, swearing to never do this again — until next time.

Those of us who have done this dance over and over for many years know that there is a lot more to putting on a show — and the two minutes in the ring — than most people understand. There is a lot of work and stress involved, and yet we do it again and again.

Gluttons for punishment? No, it is our love and our passion.

What do you think?