Hi Suze,
Your post was very accurate Suze and I agree with what you said. I have
built a database whereby I track every dog and judge each of our dogs faces
in the ring. It is a little harder with the less frequent shows down here
and the degree of new faces judging Cavaliers to learn trends and patterns of
judging but in time it still works out. It not only helps us with judging
but also if you export it to a graph you will see trends as to when the dog
hit is peek. This can help as we try to learn how the lines mature. It has
been fun and interesting. You can even take it a bit further if you are
really a fanatic. You can go to infodog and export other judging assignments
of judges of Cavaliers and what they are putting up. Compiling this data and
graphing it can tell you color preferences, % of handlers put up, and if you
are familiar with the dogs being placed much more.
We have for years done what you suggested, learning which judges are good and
favor the traits of the dog we are currently showing, which are good but just
not right for our dog, which have no clue, and which are political and judge
the wrong end of the leash.
Although I fully support the theory "don't enter under them if they are not
good judges" it is often not real effective and I don't recall seeing any of
the bad judges dissapear. Here is an example of why this doesn't seem to
work. If a judge is a political judge or one known as "a handlers judge" for
instance. Although there will be a contingent who will not support this
judge, the pro's or politically connected WILL as they have the best chance
of being put up. Not only that but winning is so important to some that they
will just pay a handler if this judge is in their area instead of not
entering.
I think its great that you and your family do it all, the grooming, training,
handling, everything. People who do that really do accomplish so much more
when they finish a dog then those who just write a check and then look for
accolades at having one of their dogs become a champion. As you said it is
really fun to do it all yourselves and I think everyone should give it a try!
I did notice the entry drop off after the National that you referred to and
yes it caught my attention. It is encouraging to see these things but when I
see some of these less then stellar judges leave Cavaliers I will get really
excited and encouraged.
Before I get yelled at again by some I will say there are some pro handlers
who are respectable and good and I do realize some people are unable to show
their own dogs. While some may pass along a dog to a pro with instructions
to not trim, follow the standard, and compete in an ethical manner, I feel
more pass off the dog and just say "win".
Dave
CastleMyst Cavaliers
http://members.aol.com/CmystCavs
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