<<Surely someone who has produced consistently great dogs over a long period of time would be regarded as a person who knew what they were doing>>
Absolutely. But opinions on if a dog is great or not vary greatly, are somewhat subjective, and are not always tied to the number of ribbons it wins. << written lengthy articles on the breed, educated Judges on the breed?>> What are the requirements to write an article? Have you ever read articles by someone you don't think were very good? What are the requirements to hold judges seminars? <<What other qualities do they need? >> Patience, Tolerance, COURTESY, Open minds, a managed ego... etc etc etc. Not all knowlegeable people are good teachers. Not all smart people are leaders. <<Why should they have to repeat time after time the same message to the same people - who are obviously not listening or not able to comprehend the message or accept the information offered. Why waste valuable time with such people.>> Most people who have ever made a difference in just about anything have had to repeat their message over and over and over. Its patience, its persistance, its part of being a leader. So if people continue to buy from puppy mills we should quit trying to educate them? Don't try to educate the less educated if they don't listen the first time? If they don't easily get on board why waste time with them. Maybe the easy path to turn a blind eye if they don't get it right away but maybe not the best path either. <<IMHO listing the results of your efforts, be it number of Champions, judging credentials etc gives your opinion some credibility and is not self promotion, it is statement of fact>> It is a statement of fact as to the number of ribbons you have won. Not much more. Numbers can often be misleading. Only looking at what is behind the numbers tells the real story. Is the better breeder the one with 50 champions or 5? What if you find out the one who bred 50 champions bred 2,000 puppies to get them a success rate of 1 in 20 while the breeder with 5 bred 20 a 1 in 4 success rate. Two breeders finish a champion from their kennel. Are they equal achievements? One was competing against 5 others from the same kennel the other, 5 dogs from other kennels? Still the same achievement? One beat three nationally ranked dogs the other beat none? Still the same? Do you think there are big winning Champions in the USA that couldn't win in England? I do. How about dogs that can't win in other countrys that come here and win. Happens. I could go on but you get the point, titles and numbers of ribbons do not alone always tell the real story. There is no crime in bragging about one's wins or promoting oneself but the numbers alone do NOT tell the whole story and often do not accurately reflect the quality of the breeder by themselves. Maybe sometimes they do. Often they don't. Can anyone think of a breeder who has been breeding for many years and has lots of champions you would NOT reccomend? I'll bet most can. (no names listed hope that doesn't offend anyone) <<Do you not list your credentials in your work situation? to give yourself credibility.>> I list them to get the job. The credibility comes from my actions from that point forward. Actions, not achievements on paper build credibility. AND I constantly have to prove myself over and over as new people come around they judge for themselves based on my continued actions. I do NOT expect them to immediately respect me because someone said they should or because of my title. Continued actions, continued evaluation, earns continued respect. << AND as Chairperson of NZKC Judges Association I personally take great offence at your suggestion that those in our breed who also Judge "solicit financed judging assignments for travel and socializing". >> Throwing your title around doesn't intimidate me or impress me. I'm sorry if my opinion offends you but I believe there is truth to it. Some do these things I have mentioned. Thats my opinion and I'm entitled to it. <<To cover yourself by saying you haven't put anyone into a category is not good enough. Either name names or don't make unsubstantiated allegations.>> Sorry it isn't good enough for you that I won't name names but that would serve no productive purpose to do so on this email list and like I said, people know what category they fall into they don't need me to sort things out for them. I will continue to speak my opinion if you don't care to read them delete my posts. I would be glad to explain how that works if you like. Over and over until you get it <G> Dave CastleMyst Cavaliers http://members.aol.com/CMystCavs ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 1999 by its original author.
