‍Ask A Judge Answers By

‍Sid Marx

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‍THREE QUESTIONS:  

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‍1."During our specialty show, one of the judges didn't go over the dogs at all. He only looked at the teeth, moved the animals, and then made his selection. I know there is a standard ring procedure. What reason would a judge have to not do a hands-on ‘examination' of each dog?"

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‍2."Our club is trying hard to get our new puppy owners to show, but they become very discouraged when judges are not friendly or are even grumpy to them. Do you have any great advice that you would share with new exhibitors who experience this?"

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‍3. "Should there be a way to give judges a grade?”

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‍Although these are certainly three different questions, I have chosen to answer them as one, because I think the theme behind the questions is basically the same. First of all, I wonder if the judge who did not do a complete hands-on examination was a foreign judge. Sometimes we see that. Quite a few years ago I was stewarding for a foreign judge who was judging Dobermans. The AKC Rep came over to me and asked me to continue to remind the judge that he had to open the mouth when judging Dobermans since it was not done in that judge’s country. This judge did not want to do it, and the AKC Rep and I had to insist. The event in your question should have been reported to the AKC Rep at the show immediately, but since it was a specialty, it is possible that there was not one in attendance.

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‍If it wasn’t a foreign judge, I would definitely say something to the AKC Rep, and if there was not one there, I would talk to the next one I saw at a show. There are some who say of a short-coated breed, “What you see is what you get.” Regardless, every dog should be examined.

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‍Now if I look at these three questions together, to me they are basically about the attitudes and temperaments of judges and the way they interact with exhibitors. When you pay your entry fee, you have the right to expect the judge to be knowledgeable and to judge with integrity. It is also not too much to expect a judge to at least be amiable (having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner). I am sure it is much more enjoyable to show to a friendly judge – at least it was for me – but if I had to choose, knowledge and integrity would be more important than a warm and cuddly judge. Some judges are very business-like and concentrate on what they are doing, and often this can come across as being unfriendly. Actually, I know judges who are like this and sometimes exhibitors would be surprised to learn that some of these judges are really shy, and are just engrossed in doing their best judging job.

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‍I truly am sorry whenever I hear about a new exhibitor having a bad ring experience, because I know how important new blood is for our community to continue. Again, remember that there is a difference between a judge who is absorbed in his or her job and one who actually is unpleasant. I also have seen where exhibitors think that a judge is being very curt and unpleasant, when, in fact, the judge was in pain from standing on his feet all day, and was just trying to complete his assignment.

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‍As a judge, I cannot understand why anyone who stands in the middle of the ring would intentionally be rude. It doesn’t cost anything to at least be polite, and it is a lot more enjoyable for everyone – including the judge. I have always said – and believe – that if judging ever stops being enjoyable for me, I will quit. But so far, as much as I hate the stress of travel and being away from home, when I am in the ring that is my happy place.

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‍Finally, to answer the basis of these questions, if a judge is truly rude – and it is not just the perception of someone who did not win (yes, it happens) – you can always bring it to the attention of the AKC Rep. If the Rep hears this more than once, I am pretty sure, the Rep would make it a point to watch the judge, and if warranted, have a discussion with the judge. If the Rep considers it necessary, a report may be put into the judge’s file (enough of these could stop the judge from adding more breeds).

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‍As for the puppy exhibitors, I would hope that the breeder of their puppies would help guide them towards the more amenable judges. I would also hope that fellow-exhibitors would encourage the new people and try to make their experience as enjoyable as possible. Other exhibitors have an effect on newcomers more often than does a judge.

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‍Finally, as to whether there is a way to give a judge a grade, I understand there are websites that offer this opportunity, but it wouldn’t surprise me if this is just a place to vent and complain about a judge who did not reward your dog. Talking to the AKC Rep at a show would be a start. If you truly believe a judge is really being unpleasant, you could send a letter to the AKC Judge’s Department. In this letter you should cite specific examples.

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‍Mostly though, you give a grade to a judge with your entries. If you really think the judge is not good for exhibitors, talk to the Show Chair. When it comes time to enter shows, enter those where you think the judge makes the experience enjoyable – and is knowledgeable.

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‍I hope this helps.

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‍Enjoy your dogs.

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‍Thank you Mr Sid Marx for writing these wonderful answers to exhibitor questions.  They are always thought provoking and educational for both the seasoned exhibitor and to the newer breeders and exhibitors to our sport.

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‍You may also enjoy reading other great articles, both current and past, by Sid Marx in his column which appears in Dog News magazine and online, The Judge Marx the Spot at https://www.dognews.com/sid-marx-0

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