Ask a Judge

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‍Answers by Sid Marx

‍ "Is it appropriate or when is it appropriate to ask a judge a question regarding a dog you have shown to a judge. And if it is appropriate to ask which is

‍the best way to word a question?"

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‍"When a class first enters the ring,

‍ what is the first thing you look for before you

‍go over the dogs individually?"

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‍ "Which do you give priority to,

‍type or movement?”

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Answers by Sid Marx

"During Group judging, what do judges who are sitting in the judge’s area talk about?"

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Answers by Sid Marx

"How have purebred dogs changed over

the past 50 years? From what you see judging around the country, are most breeds better than 10 years ago?"

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"What is the one thing that exhibitors should and should not do in your ring?"

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“What makes the difference between an owner handler and a professional handler when it gets down to the nitty-gritty?In other words, who has the advantage?” READ THE ANSWER…

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“While judging, do you evaluate puppies as puppies, or as adults when selecting winners?

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"We've all heard the expression,'too much of a good thing is not a good thing.'In your opinion, what is too much or excessive when talking about conformation? Are there drawbacks to 'too much'? While judging, what types of 'too much of a good thing' do you frequently see?"

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ASK A JUDGE with SID MARX

“When it comes time for the final look-see in the ring, what is the most impressive in the ring with breeds where the exhibitors usually kneel down with their dogs, a free stack or kneeling with the dog? What is the best way to make the best impression on the judge that just might sway his decision?”

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“Reflecting on your 50 + years of judging, how have you evolved as a judge? How have your priorities and style changed?”

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ASK A BREEDER

“When planning a breeding,

what do you feel are the most important

factors to keep in mind?”

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‍Ask A Judge Answers By Sid Marx

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‍“We all know there are good sports and bad sports that show dogs. What is the best way to deal with someone exhibiting unsportsmanlike behavior?Some examples are behaviors in the ring like running up on your dog and when you ask them to stop, they smart mouth back something negative about your dog. Or muttering something negative about your dog loud enough to be heard by the judge to put your dog in a bad light if they think you have the better chance of winning." READ THE ANSWER…

‍Ask A Judge Answers By Sid Marx

‍” a Judge AnswerI have heard people many times say, ‘How did my dog look, why did the judge never look at me?' I have often replied, ‘Why are you watching the judge and not your dog?' My question is when a handler is constantly turning and watching the judge, does it affect how the dog is moving? If so, how?"

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Ask a Judge Answers By Sid Marx

“With entries so low, we see many dogs in the ring that are lacking merit for a championship title. Why is it so many judges do not withhold ribbons, and if they do, how is it handled with the exhibitor? How can other exhibitors who witness the withheld ribbon help or counsel the exhibitor who had the ribbon withheld, especially if it is a newbie?"

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Ask A Judge Answers by Sid Marx

“When entering the ring, what is the one thing a handler can do to grab the judge’s attention and make him/her really want to keep watching that dog? And the flip side of that, too, is what is the one thing a handler can do when first getting in the ring that is cringeworthy and makes a judge not want to watch, essentially making them invisible?”

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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?”

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Ask A Judge Answers by Sid Marx

"My question is what is an appropriate conversation to have with the judge during pictures?Is this a time when the exhibitor can or should pick the brain, so to speak, of the judge? Should an exhibitor be asking questions to clarify why he made the choices he did for his winners? What types of things would be totally inappropriate?”

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Ask A Judge Answers by Sid Marx

"What is the most annoying thing

that some exhibitors do?”

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Ask A Judge Answers by Sid Marx

“There seems to be some talk amongst judges about what is more important, the down & back or side movement? What is your opinion?"

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Ask A Judge - Answers by Sid Marx

"As a judge what would you wish you could say to exhibitors frankly to help them turn loss(es) into wins?”

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‍Ask A Judge - Answers by Sid Marx

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‍"With the low numbers being entered in shows today, we see a lot of placements going to "generic show dogs."In light of this, what is the level of importance that should be given to showiness & attitude vs. conformation? So many times, we see really good examples of dogs with good conformation, but they lack a showy attitude.What is the deciding factor?If it is showiness & attitude, how can we bring this out in our dogs?What is more important in the judge's eye? In other words, why does it seem showiness & attitude oftentimes seems to be put up over conformation? How do we overcome this?" READ THE ANSWER…

“There are many breeds have which have a variety of colors that their breed standards permit to be shown, yet there seems to be a color bias while being judged in the show ring. Why is this? Is it harder to find quality in some colors than others or is it a matter of traditional preference?"

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Ask A Judge - Answers by Sid Marx

"What is the smartest thing a non-professional exhibitor can do while in the group ring?"

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Ask A Judge - Answers by Sid Marx

"When judging, which do you rely on more,

visual or hands-on examination?"

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Ask A Judge - Answers by Sid Marx

"What is the single most important characteristic

you look for in a dog?"

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Answers by Sid Marx

“I hear the phrase 'form follows function’ mentioned occasionally amongst some judges and old-time breeders. What does it mean?”

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Answers by Sid Marx

"Are there grooming fads that drive you nuts?"

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Answers by Sid Marx

"When you judge in other countries, what differences do you see in

their dogs compared to those

bred in the US?”

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‍TODAY'S QUESTION: "As an AKC judge with over 50 years of experience and a former AKC delegate, is there a department for breeders and exhibitors to express their concerns to the AKC and betaken seriously? Many experienced breeders and exhibitors are increasingly concerned about the steady decline in participation at conformation shows, as well as in all-breed and specialty clubs. AKC has never truly taken a strong stance on the issues related to poor judging and politics within some judging circles.

‍Instead of addressing the concerns of breeders on these and many other issues, the AKC seems to be more interested in profiting from the popularity of the doodle phenomenon by inviting these mixed-breed and rescue dogs to compete in a variety of new events and earn titles. Add this to the politics and infighting that occur in local and national breed clubs, many of which offer little or no educational and better breeding information to their members." READ THE ANSWER…

"At what point did you decide to become a judge?And now as a judge, how do you feel you would like to contribute back to the sport?"

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Answers by Sid Marx

“What advice can you give breeders who are considering becoming judges? What should my motivation be for wanting to be a judge? Besides the AKC requirements, what real experience do I need to have to make a good judge?"

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"Please help me to understand why when I go over some of my own show prospects, who seem to have nice front and rear end construction, yet when they move, their movement just isn’t what I expected?”

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Ask A Judge Answers by Sid Marx

“Many breeds are hand-stacked when they first enter the ring, but an experienced exhibitor can often hand-stack a dog into a pleasing silhouette. Often when these animals move, that “pleasing silhouette” dissolves into a poor topline and poor movement. It seems that there is a lot of emphasis put on the first and last hand-stacked impression given to the judge. Shouldn’t there be a greater importance placed on the dog's natural carriage and free stance rather than one that we’ve placed into position? How does the importance of a dog’s silhouette play into breed type?”

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Ask A Judge Answers by Sid Marx

"Each breed standard provides a detailed description of the type of temperament a breed should have, ranging from outgoing and friendly to alert or aloof, depending on the breed's original purpose. In the modern era of urbanization, many breeds have transitioned from their traditional roles as hunting or working dogs to becoming beloved family companions. However, the need for a good temperament remains essential. It's concerning to see dogs with less-than-ideal temperaments at shows, such as fearfully pulling away, wild-eyed, and shaking when the judge approaches, yet still being awarded points. What are your thoughts on this?"

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‍Ask A Judge Answers by Sid Marx

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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? READ THE ANSWER…

Ask A Judge - Answers by Sid Marx

"As we see more and more kennel clubs throughout Europe and the world making any dog that is cropped or docked ineligible to be shown, there seems to be an increasing number of dogs appearing in American show rings with uncropped ears and natural tails, yet many breed standards have not yet addressed this issue. I know that some parent clubs are vehemently against changing their standards to accommodate this. This must be a cause for confusion among judges. What are your thoughts on this issue?"

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‍SUGGESTED READING LIST

‍Explore a list of exceptional books and authors that will provide you with detailed insights to enhance your breeding program and achieve success in the show ring.

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