Two Topics
These two topics were suggested to me by two very good friends, and I think both are deserving of conversation. I always appreciate it when someone shares an idea with me that I can then share with you.
First, let’s consider “porcelain dolls.”
According to the Smithsonian magazine, “Years ago, before globalization and liberalization were a thing, the expensive dolls were made of porcelain and/or china pottery. They were made with utmost care and were fragile and delicate. The older generation used the expression for anyone who is a well and often beautifully dressed young girl.”
Delicate, fragile, flawless and perfect appearance are the words usually used when referring to a porcelain doll. Most commonly, a porcelain doll is considered beautiful, but without any real depth or warmth — basically, a mask of beauty without reality.
Who are the porcelain dolls in our community?
Let’s start with those poor dogs who basically live their entire lives in crates so that their coats are not damaged. There are some smaller breeds that come to mind when we consider this, but they are not alone. Maybe some of the larger breeds are not literally confined to a crate 24 hours a day every day, but there are many that are being shown who have little or no muscle tone or mass.
They may not have muscle tone, but they are absolutely perfectly groomed and look beautiful. At practically every breed seminar I have attended throughout my career, the presenter tells the attendees that their breed should be presented somewhat naturally and to punish excessive grooming. Really? I am still waiting to see that. It used to be that the greatest groomers were thought to be found among the Terrier breeds or Poodles. These artists are not confined to any breed anymore. For the most part, the dogs being shown today — in all breeds — are presented and groomed better than ever in the history of dog shows. Not a hair is out of place, and every one of them is exactly the proper length. That’s just the way it is grown in nature, right?
We judge our breeds with their individual function in mind, and we talk about “form and function.” Today, for many breeds, even if they were given the opportunity, would they be physically able to perform their function? They are not allowed to do so, as their only life is “the pageant.” They parade before us — ultra groomed to perfection — but I hope they get more than these two minutes to show off their stuff. Do they get time to run and be a dog?
Dog shows are not meant to be simply beauty contests. Breeds are to be judged as compared to their respective standard, each of which is designed to produce the best dog whose conformation allows it to perform its function — whether that be hunter or lap dog. So, it is great to be a beautiful example of the breed — whatever that means — but each dog needs to be physically and mentally “sound.” Allowing a dog time to be more than a statue or a model enhances that dog’s well-being.
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I have been in this community for a very long time indeed, and there has never been more of an opportunity for what is commonly referred to as “cheap champions.”
I know I sound like the old man yelling at you to get off my lawn, but when I compare what it used to take to win a major when I started to what is required now, it is embarrassing. In many breeds in some sections of the country, an entry of four — that is FOUR — is all it takes to win a major! And yet, there are many exhibitors who are finding it difficult to be at shows that offer the possibility of a major.
So, a good friend of mine passed on some questions and concerns about finding majors for a dog under the existing conditions.
What is this cause of such a dramatic drop in breed entries in many areas of the country, where very often the bulk of entries is in “specials”? Needless to say, the over-proliferation of shows is a primary cause. If there were less shows, and people still wanted to enter, the entries at each show would rise.
Another cause is the reduction of breeding by quality breeders. With the rise of doodles and “save the dogs” via adoption, the market for purebred dogs has greatly diminished. AKC has some responsibility here, and needs to do a better job of marketing our purebred dogs and making the ownership of an AKC dog as special as it used to be. When I was a delegate, at every election there were nominees who promised all kinds of grand ideas for marketing our dogs — and very little or nothing happened after they were elected. AKC does a great job of marketing and producing our shows from Orlando and Westminster, but for the most part, this is preaching to the choir.
As one breeder-judge says, “AKC does need to do a better job! America’s love affair with dogs continues and they are willing to spend money but on doodles, ‘poos,’ etc., not legitimate purebreds. Why? Is it because of the myth that mixed breeds are inherently healthy? Is it because of the ‘cachet’? Even AKC jumps in by labeling dogs as ‘All American’ and welcoming them into performance events. AKC — the organization — thrives as it finds more revenue streams. AKC as the voice of purebred dogs is failing.”
Certainly, the perception of poor judging has some effect on entries. Perhaps the utilization of more breed and group specialists would help in this area, but I am aware that clubs need to have a panel that can cover all breeds and groups. Even at specialties, clubs are not necessarily using breed specialists as their judges.
One of the worst things that can be said about someone is that they broke the major. There have been instances of exhibitors showing a finished dog in the Open class to try to make a major.
I was asked what I think about this. Actually, I don’t have a problem with it. In many other countries there is no “specials” class, and champions are routinely shown against non-champions, which certainly makes it much more difficult to achieve a “cheap championship.” So why not?
Like others, I have had occasion to finish my dog at a morning show, and have not had time to move him up or finished him on Saturday and showed him in Open again on Sunday to try to hold the major for others. Why not? On some occasions, I have asked the other exhibitors if they wanted me to keep him in the classes, and almost always they all wanted a shot at the major.
With the reduced number of entries, most exhibitors know who a lot of their competition will be at a show. I do think it is proper etiquette to try to let other exhibitors know if you will not be going to the show even though you entered. People may drive more than 500 miles and have the expense of hotels and food, only to find that there is not the major that they expected because that is what the entry showed.
If you are at the show and pull your dog to break the major — which is your right to do — you should have a good reason to do so (like a sick dog), or don’t expect others to support you when you need it.
How about judges who may break a major? First of all, I rarely know when the entry is a major — and truly don’t care. I think it is awful when a judge automatically “crosses over the points” to share the major when it is not deserved. Judges are not in the ring to pander to the ringside or exhibitors. He or she is in there to point to the best dogs in that judge’s opinion on that day. Besides, I think it is terrible that in our system it is possible for a dog to complete its championship without ever beating a dog of its own sex. That should be changed.
I have had occasion to excuse a poor, frightened dog that would not let me examine her after I had given her three tries — and anyone who knows me knows that I am usually very good with nervous or young dogs. But this poor baby just wanted to crawl into “mom’s” bosom. As I was writing the excusal in my book, I heard some loudmouth at ringside say loudly, “Well, he just broke the major.”
I stopped what I was doing and said to this woman, “Would you prefer that I call the dog back into the ring and FORCE her to let me examine her, and maybe take a chance that she would do something stupid or become so frightened that she could never be shown again? Use your brain, and think about what is best for the dog.”
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Finally, please don’t drive tired! Many of us drive many miles and many hours to get to and from shows. It is simply not worth pushing for those extra few miles or an hour when you are tired. Please be smart for yourself, your loved ones, and the dogs in your care.
What do you think?