Tag Archives: dog show judging

Being an Owner Handler is NOT a Death Sentence

April 19, 2018 Sally Gift 2 Comments

I’m an owner handler exhibitor – well, I used to be an owner handler before I matured into an older lady who runs with a gimp, if she runs at all – I let a handler do the running these days. But, while I was an owner handler I love, love, loved being in the ring, and it goes without saying that my love amplified to a rock music decibel when I won. I’ve finished many dogs from many various classes, especially Bred by Exhibitor, and I’ve won my fair share of trips to the winners circle at Gordon Setter Specialties. Group judging was beyond what I considered my forte, that’s where I’d really expect a dog to shine, and knowing my limitations, that’s when I would choose to step back and let a pro take the lead. Today, because of my physical restrictions, I content myself to sit ring side leading the cheering squad. And, manning the water bucket…and handing over the brush…and passing out the bait…

With that said, frequently, I hear comments by exhibitors about how political the judging was, or how “the win” was stacked before the show even started. And just as frequently, I happened to agree with the judge’s decision that day (even if my dog lost) which left me wondering if falling back on that oft voiced complaint, was doing more harm to exhibitors than most of us realize. Certainly if you think about it, if my dog with a pro handling was a winner that day, I didn’t think that judging was political…I thought we deserved that win. Wouldn’t you? For the winners sake, and many other reasons, I’m hoping to help bring understanding, especially for folks who are struggling to win, about the many, many variables of conformation judging. Sometimes, and often times, politics had nothing to do with the winners that day. I’d like us to give judges, the pros, and the sport a break, at least when it’s deserved!

When I’m watching judging, I am often overwhelmed with the desire to help some hapless exhibitor gain control over their dog, or grab a dog to help the owner learn a better way to groom, or maybe just to shake an exhibitor into consciousness so they go to the ring when called. I’m no professional folks, I’m just like all of you, but one thing I do know, and would share with you, is my belief and experience that the professional often wins because he or she is a professional, doing a professional job. (can you paint your car, bake cupcakes, do taxes, or any one of a million other jobs as well as a pro?) Most times there is an obvious difference in the ring appearance of a professionally handled dog versus the owner entry, and what I would share is that we owner handlers must develop our skill so we look and act like the pro, to make our dogs appear their best, to present only well-groomed, conditioned and trained dogs, if we intend to compete on an equal level. Owner handlers can and do win without doubt, but we too must do the work of a pro, and earn our wins by showing the judge the best our dog has to offer.

So, I started out to write this blog about what an owner handler can master to be competitive in the dog show ring, when I remembered that well-worn phrase “Google It” and that worked! I found many well written articles that offer the same advice I would write for you. Whether you’re just starting as a novice handling your own dog, or simply believe you “just can’t win”, before complaining or blaming another for your loss, or worse yet leave the sport, perhaps you’ll read this, take time to evaluate yourself and your dog, and objectively consider the “picture” you and your Gordon Setter presented when you lost. Did you do your best but were beaten that time by a better dog, or could you have done something more to improve the odds in your dog’s favor? No, it’s not always your fault your dog loses, but you’ve got to even the playing field first with skill, know your dog’s attributes and faults, and then consider, carefully, very carefully, if politics was at play, or if perhaps, you just don’t agree with this judge’s opinion on this particular set of dogs.

I love owner handlers and I would do anything to help you win, so you learn to love the sport as much as me, because I’ve lived that dream and know it can happen…but if you want really good advice, ask the pros, and take the time, lots of time, to watch them work, really watch them in action. There is so much you can learn there!

There’s a list below, links to articles to help you prepare to win. These are a great place to help get you to the place where you can know the thrill of being a winning owner handler. (Oh, and also “Google It” for yourself, there’s so much more information out there, I’ve only picked a few.)

Finally, go to dog shows to watch and observe. Spend hours watching the grooming, various random breed classes, the Groups etc., paying close attention to the pro’s and those winning owner handlers! Best use of your time and classroom setting ever!

Win or Lose never forget BE A GOOD SPORT!

Sally Gift, Mesa AZ

Photo by Bob Segal from GSCA National Specialty 2014

Owner Handler Advice

Video link: Want to Win Best in Show as an Owner Handler?

Looking Back with Lee – Pro Handlers vs. Owner-Handlers – being an Owner-Handler is not a DEATH SENTENCE!

Breed Standard, Breeding, Dog Shows

Style Versus Breed Type

August 8, 2015 Sally Gift 2 Comments

Barbara Manson - photo by Silvia Timmermann 2014 GSCA National Specialty — Barbara Manson – photo by Silvia Timmermann 2014 GSCA National Specialty

A warm Welcome for Guest Blogger – Barbara Manson of Stoughton, WI who has been breeding and exhibiting Gordon Setters for…well…forever! (Ok, maybe she’s not quite that old!) Getting back to the business at hand though, today we offer part one of a series she’s penning. This is also published in the GSCA Newsletter, August issue.

Style Versus Breed Type

by Barbara Manson

How many times have you been ringside and heard someone say “I can’t believe that dog won! He doesn’t have any breed type!” or “That dog really is typey.” and you don’t agree? Have you ever wondered about the validity of these comments? Are these folks really critiquing breed type or the style of the dog in question? Understanding this is particularly difficult for the newbie who has no experiences to draw from. For the purpose of our discussion, and opening our eyes to other breeders accomplishments, we need to define exactly what is style and what is breed type.

Barb Manson judging — Photo by Silvia Timmermann 2014 GSCA National Specialty Puppy Sweeps judging.

So let’s talk style. Certainly, all the dogs in the ring don’t look alike. How can they when for one thing, our standard says dogs can be 24-27 inches at the withers and bitches can be 23-26 inches. Imagine looking down the line at a group of 27 inch boys and seeing a dog in the middle of the group who is 25 inches tall. As little as one inch can make a very big difference in the way a dog appears. That picture alone would evoke a “not very typey” comment from many exhibitors. Let me challenge you with this thought. Doesn’t this dog’s size conform to the standard for Gordon Setters? There is not a word in the written standard that gives preference to a particular size, as long as the dog falls within the described parameters. So what is it that makes this dog less correct in the middle of the standard and the one at the top more correct? If you were to closely examine that 25 inch dog, you may find he has several attributes that definitely define him as a Gordon Setter, but many of these points are in proportion to his size. This is an example of personal preference or style and not type. Another example of style can be differences in heads and expression. Many times, when you closely examine heads, and are being completely honest with yourself, you can see examples that are both pleasing and in line with the standard but they are not what you have become accustomed to looking at. That does not mean one or the other are incorrect. Just different and someone else’s interpretation of the standard.

So what is breed type? All of those characteristics discussed in the standard define the essence of the Gordon Setter. Some of them are found in many standards for breeds not even in the sporting group. Some are common to many sporting breeds. Some are unique to the setters and others only to Gordons. No other standard has this combination of characteristics, only Gordon Setters. Therefore, they all contribute to breed type and true breed type lies in how closely our dogs conform to the standard. We will be discussing some of these characteristics in detail at a later time.

breed-style 3 — Photo by Bob Segal 2015 GSCA National Specialty

We have several specialties coming up. If you go, I’m encouraging you to take time to watch dogs other than your own, especially some of the adult classes. When viewing the dogs stacked, do they look like all the parts fit smoothly together and when on the move, is the gait easy, free flowing and efficient. Take note of the head pieces and expressions. Note the differences in the dogs. Are they a matter of style or breed type? I’m leaving you with one question to explore as our discussions continue. Does breed type effect style? I’m including the breed standard so you can easily reference it in the upcoming months. I will be allowing a month between articles for comments from our membership. Educating others through our insights and experiences is important to the preservation and improvement of our breed. I hope you will all participate. Comments will be due to our News Editor by September 12th. You may also feel free to e-mail me as well.

Barb Manson, Stoughton, WI
kilernan@yahoo.com

GORDON SETTER BREED STANDARD click this link to read

Photo by Bob Segal 2015 GSCA National Specialty

Breed Standard, Breeding, Dog Shows

Preferred Breed Type – Why the Stand-out Dog Can Be a Loser!

July 24, 2015 Sally Gift 4 Comments

… “Ask Yourself These Questions”

Why do breeder judges put dogs with handlers when they know the animal does not represent breed excellence?
Why do handlers accept such dogs knowing once they finish, they will be “petted out”?
Are you kennel blind and do you breed to standard?
Should breeders and newcomers read the standard prior to stud and bitch selection?
When will more mentors open up to newcomers?
And lastly, are “gas money” and “filler” dogs destroying our sport?

Today we share a link to an article Preferred Breed Type: Why the Stand-Out Dog Can Be a Loser! written by Edna “Katie” Gammil, it can apply to any breed, including our Gordon Setter. Good food for thought concerning breed type and common trends in breeds, raising issues that every serious breeder should consider as we’re making our breeding choices.

Photo by Bob Segal 2015 North Country Specialty — Photo by Bob Segal
2015 North Country Specialty

Katie writes…“When “current type” does not equal correctness, the best dog can lose because in many rings, the fatal flaw is being a stand-out. A dog show friend, absent from the sport for several years, attended some local shows with me. Welcoming the opportunity to view dogs in general after her sabbatical, she became visually distressed. Her despair increased when a “less than average” class dog received BOB. The waning quality in her beautiful breed breaks her heart. She stated it would be wasted effort to show a dog correct to the standard today, as some judges feel compelled to award dogs conforming to the majority of the entries.”

“Observing other breeds, she remarks on the lack of neck, restricted front movement and the lack of rear follow through; we discuss “gay tails” and breed type variances. We watch faulty movement and see coats dragging the ground. Weak pasterns and sickle hocks complete the picture. She wonders what causes this to happen to functional dogs in such a short time. It seems the correct dogs have fallen victim to what one may refer to as the “Perfection of Mediocrity”. Read the entire article by clicking here…

Preferred Breed Type: Why the Stand-Out Dog Can Be a Loser! by Katie Gammil

Photos by Bob Segal from the 2015 North Country Specialty.

Photos are for your viewing pleasure and are not intended to illustrate any point related to this article.