Hello, Sue,
OK......on this one I have to partially agree with you. We have shown
against some of these handlers (including the one mentioned) and it IS
upsetting to see them hard stack a Cavalier. However, I still maintain
that there is a difference in seeing these guys hard or hand stack a
Cavalier and someone who can graciously free bait and happens to kneel
or stoop or move around to get the best expression.
Sometimes at some shows on some days the free baited dog just won't
turn on.......may need more eye contact or reassurance or whatever. I
don't begrudge the handler who tries to get this out of their dog within
limits. There are those who don't set up the dog by hands on methods
and yet work hard to get that exhuberance going. Especially at the big,
tense shows I understand that this is just plain good sense.
On the other hand, I don't like a hard/hand stack Cavalier for a lot of
reasons. Incidentally, they are the same reasons I don't much care for
the overtrained free baited Cavalier who stands statue like in the ring
without wagging his/her tail; it isn't the expression of the breed
standard...."very gay and free in action" that should be displayed.
So, in my mind, those who show a highly obedient Cavalier who never
moves a muscle but is "free baited" and those who hard stack do a
similar disservice to their exhibit by inhibiting that happy expression.
Then there are the lovely exhibits who stand quietly, happily wagging
and looking at their owners but without the "UP" attitude that has come
to be expected in ALL show dogs no matter for what their breed standard
calls. We have one of those..fearless really and gentle and happy but
not "up, Up UP". Judges tell us that he isn't happy ENOUGH. This is a
dog who will jump up on the judge to greet him/her if invited, but
doesn't wheel around like he's on speed. <G> "GENTLE" is also part of
the breed standard.
I do wish that judges' education would go farther in explaining that our
dogs are NOT supposed to stand like statues, nor are they supposed to be
hyperactive nutcases. I think "happy" and "friendly" would be good
terms to use.....
Suze
Susan Shidler wrote:
>
> I'm sorry to bring up a topic that's been done to death but I have a new
> perspective on it after having been at the International Kennel Club show
> yesterday. Jimmy Moses had Pierre there - kneeling on the floor and stacking
> that little dog for all he was worth. Since the other "famous" handlers are
> hard stacking Cavaliers, I've come to the conclusion that trying to persuade
> exhibitors to stand up is an exercise in futility -- people who are not
> secure in their handling style will copy those handlers since they are the
> ones that win. The only way to attack this issue is through Judges
> Education. SO, to those listers who are involved in Judges Education, what
> can those of us who care deeply about this issue do to help spread the word?
>
> Sue Shidler
> SevenWoods Cavaliers
> Mettawa, IL
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> =========================================================
> "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 2002 by its original author.
--
Suze at Llawen Cavaliers
"...I have seen that in any great undertaking it is not enough for a man
to depend simply upon himself." -Isna Ia-wica
"Thought comes before speech" Luther Standing Bear
=========================================================
"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 2002 by its original author.
