Saturday 10 March 2018

Judging the Judges

Well, that's the annual pilgrimage to Crufts done and dusted for yet another year.  As always, I enjoyed the travelling up and down the road with Min and her dogs - the chatter, the snippets of wisdom I always glean from her, the chance to see countryside other than my own little neck of the woods which I seem to leave less and less.  I also enjoyed meeting up with good friends, and spending some time with them, swapping stories, enjoying laughter, teasing one another.  And seeing other people I know less well, but nevertheless enjoy meeting up with - the usual hugs from some of them, the genuine pleasure in meeting up again.

It was also good to meet some folks whose names I know, but hadn't yet had the pleasure of putting faces to them.  (Accompanied by the worry that I might forget them by the time I get there next year!)

This year there was a little bit of time to wander around and look at some of the "shops" and see all the things you really don't need, but really would like.  So many smiling faces, so many dogs, so much colour and atmosphere.  It really is a planet all of its own, and any dog lover who has never been really should go, if only once.  It is a celebration of all things dog.

Our hotel this year, wasn't the best - a bit dusty and grubby, but the beds were clean, and I was allowed to take River and Skara in at night (but the receptionist didn't tell me that!).  I would sleep in a shed rather than be parted from them at night.

All in all, it was great, and I loved it.  My only gripe was the judge.....

Some people may think this is sour grapes, but honestly, it isn't.  I am really chuffed with the two yellow ribbons we brought home to add to our little collection of coloured ribbons in the cabinet.  Yes, I am always a bit disappointed that River's glorious and powerful movement is overshadowed by the colour of her eyes (too pale), but I understand that that is the standard, and I guess I am actually delighted that we do consistently well, on the whole.    I don't do much showing, I have never attended ring craft classes, never really taught my dogs to stand "properly", never fiddle with them when they position themselves, other than to move them to rebalance themselves - it is their natural stance and my feeling is that that is what they should be judged on - not my fancy grooming, or masking something - that's a thought...... I wonder if you can get coloured contact lenses for dogs???
I don't really take it all too seriously, and never want to, to be honest.  I see (and hear) the bitchiness that emanates from the people that do take it seriously, the virtual pushing and shoving, the dirty tactics.  I want no part of that - I want to enjoy it and for us all to get on together and enjoy being with our own dogs, and seeing each others' dogs and be delighted for those that win their classes and have that joy.

The judges I have so far met, on the whole, have been friendly, compassionate, gentle - and genuinely interested in the dogs they are meeting - showing pleasure in each individual, and making you feel relaxed and comfortable.  Their write-ups have been insightful, helpful, informative.  And they have expressed their pleasure at meeting the dogs and their owners.

Our judge this year was, in my opinion, rude and brusque.  For my part, a smile, or eye contact, or a greeting from the judge is something that adds to the day.  And a greeting or endearment to my dogs.  All of this would help to relax both human and canine participants.  And audible instructions for those of us that are a bit deaf would be very helpful.  This particular man did none of this and apparently he commented, within earshot of another handler, that it was like taking a kindergarten class, and that we were totally unprofessional, and that we should be watching and taking note of what he did with other entrants and therefore know what to do.  I beg your pardon?  Excuse me, but I am not professional!  And in my first class he seemed to do a slightly different routine with one or two of the dogs so how could I "know" what he wanted me to do?  And if he wouldn't speak clearly enough, how can I hear him?  Must I start to wear a badge to say "I am a little deaf, please speak up"? He seemed to have an attitude that we should feel privileged and honoured that he put his hands on our dogs, that he would give his opinion (an extremely brief critique).  He acted like a little god.

If it is such a trial to be pleasant to dog and handler, why do you do it.  Does it not give you pleasure, in which case perhaps it is time to stop, as you are certainly, for me, not a good advert for the joy of showing my dogs. 

Finally, I am sorry matey, but my dogs might just be another dog you must judge, and I might be just another unprofessional handler you must tolerate, but my dogs are my WORLD, and YOU are honoured to have had the opportunity to see them.