Question of the Week

Mary Anne Brocious

Milford, Michigan

When clubs of any type – national, regional, all-breed, performance – have new members join, be inclusive. Start them with committee assignments and use their skills in various areas of club activities. When they have suggestions, don’t dismiss them; bring them into discussions to see if they will work for your organization. Ask new members what their area of interest is and steer them into places in the club that will be a comfortable fit for them. This kind of encouragement can only retain people in our sport, and bring the very best to the dogs.

David Merriam

Bonsall, California

If people my age (86) will resign or give up positions or offices, it will open up opportunities for younger people.

Anne H. Bowes

Duxbury, Massachusetts

When I was president of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, I had “This is my First National” buttons made up and gave them to everyone who was attending our national for the first time. Then, at the PWCCA annual meeting, I asked those wearing the buttons to stand, and we all applauded them! Also, I asked our PWCCA members to make sure they spoke to every exhibitor wearing the button and welcomed them to our national. Newcomers are the future of our sport!

Nancy Matthews

Easton, Maryland

I think working with our local all-breed kennel clubs, putting the emphasis on bringing young people to the sport, may help. 

Recently, at the West Friendship shows, there was a clothes exchange for Junior handlers. It was popular. 

Also, 4-H. Back in the day, we were taught how to care for and show animals.

Mentoring of Juniors by our breed clubs is drawing young handlers to the sport.

J. Randall Tincher

Warner Robins, Georgia

Great question.

• AKC should purchase ALL advertising during Westminster, National Dog Show and Orlando to promote all the activities we do with our purebred dogs

• We should put all judges, PHA handlers, ring stewards and superintendents through a course designed to help welcome new exhibitors. Shocking how little support there is at an actual show for someone who is a spectator or making their first appearance in the ring. I know we have the new-exhibitor box to check, but a friendly face helps. 

• As breeders we should be willing to take new owners to the show with us and explain what is going on, introduce them to our friends, and lend a hand to get them through the day

• As exhibitors, we should answer questions from spectators and new exhibitors with a pleasant tone. We all think we are too busy but really can take the time to help.

• Of course we should encourage Juniors. However, it’s not just the Juniors we should encourage. Anyone new can use our help.

• As a side note, recently judges were required to take a course if they want to continue to judge Juniors. Here's hoping all handlers are also required to take that course. Lots of interesting information in there.

Barbara Miller

Brookville, New York

The biggest mistake is for all-breed show-giving clubs to move out of their territory. When that happens, the public (spectators) doesn’t attend the show, such as all the shows in Springfield, Massachusetts. Keeping shows in the locality they represent and seeing to it the public has the opportunity to attend the show is a way of educating people to purchase a purebred dog. 

Local shows have to make it fun for the public to attend. Offer face-painting for kids, an art show, have members escort groups of spectators going from breed ring to breed ring discussing the breeds, encourage kids to take part in a “mock” dog show by allowing them to show their own dog with a seasoned  member at their side, signs in store windows announcing the show, somehow get your show on television and radio, reduced rate for entry … and most of all, open the club’s membership to even the least expected person who the members could encourage to become more involved in the canine world. Talk to spectators at shows encouraging them; don’t ignore them. Those people came to the show find out which breed they liked best; introduce them to a handler/breeder. 

Don’t be money hungry. If you’re a breeder and have been in contact with someone who wants to own your breed, encourage them about learning more about your breed. My own breed, Norfolk, are expensive, but as the breeder of a low-entry breed there is great satisfaction in giving a pup to a youngster encouraging them to join the show world in conformation or performance. Continue to be a mentor.  Take a serious part in your club activities. 

I’ve been in the sport since I’m a little girl ,and if it weren’t for those old-time Collie breeders here on Long Island who allowed me to help feed puppies, dragged me to match shows, always encouraging me, I might not have continued. Those days are gone, but there is still light at the end of the tunnel — or at least I have to believe that. We must find the way to encourage new people the way I was encouraged. It’s out there; just go for it.

Rita Figg

Laurel, Florida

What a great question! Our club is having a very hard time getting new members! We are going to try a booth at two different community events, and possibly an open house at our training center. It will be very interesting to see what other suggestions from your question are forthcoming. Thanks!

Nanci Hanover 

Simi Valley, California

Continue to offer new activities. FastCAT, scent work and dock diving are drawing more new people because they don't have to practice for a year to earn a title. This generation prefers fast activities with immediate gratification. By offering them at shows, we can encourage them to show. We also need volunteers who can work the lines (FastCAT) and talk to new people and be kind and friendly. "Ambassadors," if you like. Hire me!

Robin Stansell

Clayton, North Carolina

1. Stop online nastiness.

2. Mentor honestly.

3. Welcome new members into clubs.

Richard Lewis

Selah, Washington

The American Kennel Club has tried a lot of things to bring people into the sport. However, the AKC is in Raleigh and New York City. The customer is somewhere else. And, really, this is a club job, not an AKC job. 

I was recently judging in Great Falls, Montana, and a family of color showed up next to my ring. I took the time to walk over to them to explain a little bit about what was going on in the conformation ring. It was their first time at a dog show. That is the sort of thing clubs need to be ready for. Some clubs do a great job of welcoming people in. Most are just scrambling for bodies to steward, etc.

And this isn’t just about the sport of dogs. Old mainline churches and service clubs like Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary are having the same problem. The members of these clubs and churches are dying off. 

America is going through a broad demographic transformation, and we need to appeal to the people who are coming to America.

I have an additional suggestion: Many clubs are cash strapped and are barely getting by financially.  I think it would be in the AKC’s interest to use social media to publicize upcoming shows.

Adrienne Hill

Rancho Cucamonga, California

BE KIND! Dog shows are supposed to be and are intended to be fun! Yes, they have evolved where higher stakes are at hand, but in order for the sport to survive, bringing in new participants and exhibitors is mandatory. 

For handlers and their teams — these newcomers could be your future clients. Keep that in mind on how you present yourself and maintain professionalism at the show, off show grounds and even on social media. 

For judges — give even more kindness and support to newcomers so they have a good experience even if the dog isn’t the best exhibit of the day. This moment is pivotal for their return and future entries. 

Who knows? These newcomers could one day be a client or major competitor, which helps all in the sport. They just need to feel welcomed to want to come back.