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Ask A

Judge

Answers By

Sid Marx

"With entries down, it now takes fewer dogs to create majors at shows; yet there are so many clusters. How has this hurt or enhanced the dog show world?”

This is a question that has been discussed by judges and exhibitors for quite a while now. It has given rise to the term, “Cheap Champion.” Although I don’t have the data to support my beliefs – and those of others - anecdotally, I believe the total number of conformation entries annually has not decreased dramatically, but because there are so many more shows, the number of entries is spread out so that each show has decreased entries. As a result, the AKC conformation point schedule has decreased drastically. I know this sounds like the “get off my lawn guy.” But when I started it took three to four times the number of today’s entries for a major in Irish Setters – and it was not difficult to find a major.

Because decent show sites are limited or expensive, clubs have clustered together. This is a change also. We used to show, pack up, and drive to the next show site. Furthermore, shows were primarily limited to weekends, but now there is a show practically every day of the week somewhere in the country – further spreading the entries thin. There is no doubt in my mind, that these circumstances have hurt the dog show community.

Judges much prefer having good-sized entries. It gives us more choices, and makes our job more enjoyable. It is a judge’s desire to find and reward quality dogs, and the odds are improved when the entries are larger. Exhibitors certainly want to show their dog to its championship, and trying to find majors is frustrating and becomes expensive when entries are reduced. When “finishing a dog” becomes more difficult, fewer people seem interested in purchasing a show prospect puppy, and so breeders produce less litters.

Everyone loses. But what can be done about it? The AKC certainly is never going to tell clubs they cannot hold a show if they meet the basic requirements. How would anyone determine which shows should be eliminated? Unfortunately, it seems that the only way this will be resolved is when more and more shows can no longer lose money and clubs stop holding a show.

Thankfully, we have enough people who are passionate about our dogs in the community to keep going on. For how long?

Thank you Mr Sid Marx for writing these wonderful answers to our group member questions.  They are always thought provoking and a delight to read for both the seasoned exhibitor and to the newest breeders and exhibitors to our sport.

Our Ask Judge author also writes a column for Dog News.  You may read his fascinating, thought provoking, and humorous articles at https://www.dognews.com/sid-marx-0