Perhaps it all stems from our American (and AKC) perception of undue influence, and the disquieting thought that we accuse others of our own flaws. Anyone who has been "in" the breeding and exhibiting of dogs after a few decades knows and is in fact, friends, with many judges. This is admittedly one advantage as these friends know what NOT to show as opinions have been exchanged over a long period of time. Other than this, I can't see any advantage said friends have. And if you show to your friends, 'they' say "Look, they won under their FRIEND" and if you don't, 'they' say "Look, they are so incompetant that even their friends won't show to them." The same with socializing before the show - does this brief encounter influence a knowledgable judge? Is the judge so without opinion that he/she thinks "Oh, goodie, I met that woman last night so I will put up HER dog as I am lost in this class and have no opinion of my own." If a judge is hired for his/her knowledge, one also assumes they have integrity. To assume otherwise makes the whole process untenable. JMHO. Michael Allen, Baliwick Am. Cockers for 50 years +
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