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    DOG SHOW JUDGING: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
    DOG SHOW JUDGING: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
    DOG SHOW JUDGING: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
    Ebook130 pages1 hour

    DOG SHOW JUDGING: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

    By Chris Walkowicz

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    About this ebook

    Look beyond the television image of a focused man or woman awarding ribbons and learn what it’s really like to judge dogs! Chris Walkowicz, a successful exhibitor and one of the top AKC judges, explains with humor and warmth how she, and others as committed as she is, learn their craft. Find out how judges get started, build their skills, and acquire their judging credentials. And learn about all the other things a judge must master including travel hassles, finances, and record keeping.

    While writing in a light-hearted vein, Chris answers important questions. What do judges want from exhibitors? What do exhibitors want from judges? Learn from the author how to make the dog showing experience more successful for all.
    Click here to view an excerpt.

    What reviewers are saying...

    MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
    “How does one call a show parading the best of the canine species? "Dog Show Judging: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" discusses dog show judging and how would be judges can do their best to be unbiased, clear calling judges, including how to break into the business. A career path for those who truly love dogs, Chris Walkowicz draws on his own experience to create a solid and very recommended read. "Dog Show Judging" is a top pick that is a must for anyone who wants to pursue this career.” James A. Cox

    DOGS IN CANADA
    “Since 1995, award winning author Walkowicz has judged conformation shows across the U.S. and around the world. In this book, she guides readers through the steps of becoming an AKC judge, the commitment to ongoing education, keeping good records, and how to run a ring with efficiency and fairness. Prospective judges and exhibitors alike will appreciate her sense of humour- especially her “war stories” – as ell as her sounds tips “from judges to judges.” A must for anyone who spends time in the ring." Natalie Ann Comeau

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDogwise Publishing
    Release dateJan 1, 2009
    ISBN9781929242825
    DOG SHOW JUDGING: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
    Author

    Chris Walkowicz

    Chris Walkowicz began showing and breeding German Shepherds in 1965, adding Bearded Collies in 1977. More than 50 Walkoway Beardies and Shepherds have finished their Championships and Register of Merits, and nearly 60 dogs have performance titles. Chris judges nationally and internationally and is an award-winning author of numerous books including Successful Dog Breeding and The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World. She lives in Sherrard, Illinois with her husband, Ed, and her Beardies.

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      Book preview

      DOG SHOW JUDGING - Chris Walkowicz

      DOG SHOW JUDGING

      The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

      Chris Walkowicz

      Dog Show Judging

      The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

      Chris Walkowicz

      Dogwise Publishing

      A Division of Direct Book Service, Inc.

      403 South Mission Street, Wenatchee, Washington 98801

      1-509-663-9115, 1-800-776-2665

      www.dogwisepublishing.com / info@dogwisepublishing.com

      © 2010 Chris Walkowicz

      Illustrations: Mary Jung

      Graphic Design: Lindsay Peternell

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, digital or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

      Limits of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty:

      The author and publisher shall not be liable in the event of incidental or consequential damages in connection with, or arising out of, the furnishing, performance, or use of the instructions and suggestions contained in this book.

      ISBN: 978-1-929242-66-5

      Printed in the U.S.A.

      PRAISE FOR DOG SHOW JUDGING

      It covers all aspect of judging and delves into the actual mechanics of running your ring, and outlines the many problems that can occur. It also establishes the need for you to become comfortable in dealing with both dogs and people. It gives examples of errors that judges have made and how to avoid them. All of the necessary facts are collected at your finger tips and can save you a lot of research and many hours of tedious work. Dorothy MacDonald, AKC Judge and Gazette columnist

      Every dog show person from the totally novice exhibitor to the all-rounder will love this new book from the Bearded Lady Chris Walkowicz! Her good common sense approach to the realities of advancing as an AKC judge, and the mechanics of judging, is right on target. Exhibitors will love the insights into the judge’s thoughts that Chris shares. And everyone will love the war stories that make judging of dog shows overseas like nothing else in the world. Pure fun on every level. This book will be a great asset for the dog world for years to come! Steve Gladstone, AKC Exhibitor and Judge

      To my Grandchildren

      Lauryn, Michael and Calé Anne, who fill my life and heart with joy.

      And a lifetime of Grand Dogs

      Justin, Caprice, Calli, Brandy, Favour, Kodiak, Katie, Cody, Marcy, Sally, Bubbles, Tigger, ALF, Tootsie, Bonny and Whoopi!

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      Appreciation is given to fellow judges Sulie Greendale-Paveza and Linda Robey, as well as to fellow writers, Judie Gulley and Barb Foster, for their suggestions. And to all the judges who related their experiences!

      Thanks to my very patient editor, Larry Woodward from Dogwise Publishing, who managed to organize me. And all at Dogwise for caring so much about dogs and dog people.

      Thank you to Mary Jung, who captures my every thought.

      And, of course, my great husband, Ed, who gives me unflagging support.

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Introduction

      1. The Prospective Judge

      2. Nuts and Bolts

      3. In the Ring

      4. Moving Up to All Breeds and More

      5. Conversations We Would Like to Have

      6. War Stories—The Best and The Worst of Times

      About the Author

      INTRODUCTION

      All dog show judges were once exhibitors. Thus every judge shares a variety of feelings and experiences with the exhibitors who enter their ring. Whether you are a judge, a judge wannabe, or an exhibitor, you will likely be bombarded with a mixture of similar feelings each time you set foot in a ring. These often combine a jangle of nerves, pride, and anticipation for judge and exhibitor alike. Should we win or be complimented on our judging skill, we’re instantly hooked and reinforced. If we don’t, we wonder what we could have done better.

      We have all owned dogs who have wrapped us around a paw, a dog we dream of posing on the Best in Show pedestal or lying beside us in a room full of ribbons and trophies. But few of us start out as instant winners. For those willing to put forth the effort, however, we can learn what it will take to move down the path leading from the dog show parking lot, to the grooming tent, to the Best in Show ring. Or from a fun match in some small town to judging at Westminster.

      Understanding Each Other Better

      One of my goals in writing this book—in addition to easing the way for new and prospective judges—is to help judges and exhibitors better understand and help each other. Since we share so much in common, we should be working together toward a common goal—finding a great dog. If we understand each other better, both judges and exhibitors will be more successful.

      One of the themes of this book will be to go inside the mind of the judge, particularly as it relates to what they expect and want from an exhibitor. And then to switch roles and look at what an exhibitor expects and wants from a judge. Of course, every judge was once an exhibitor and has the advantage of that experience. When I began judging, for example, I noticed the distracting things handlers do—and realized I’d done most, if not all, of them myself. Having been there and done that, I try to be as understanding as I can be.

      Given our goal of working better in the ring together, let’s take a quick look at a few things that exhibitors need to be aware of from the judge’s perspective:

      • Be on time. Watch a couple prior classes to learn the pattern. When you know what to do, you’ll be more at ease.

      • Be ready to set up your dog immediately and to move her at the best pace. First impressions count.

      • Is your dog trained? Judges will put up with a few puppy antics, but they expect an adult to be well behaved. Have someone videotape you at training class so you can avoid mistakes and show your dog at the right speed. It’s nearly impossible to give an award to a dog who is lying on his back or who looks more like a horse thundering to the finish line over one who is trotting easily alongside his handler.

      • Make sure your dog is clean, with nails clipped and teeth brushed. This is so easy—well, maybe not if you own a dog twice as big as you—but it’s priority number one.

      • Watch the judge and pay attention to the action in the ring, rather than chatting—time enough for that later while you show off your ribbons.

      Conversely, exhibitors have the right to expect certain things from the judge. A judge should be fair, honest, patient with puppies, willing to help newcomers to the sport, and offer a friendly smile or encouraging word—in other words a regular scout. And do this despite rain, cold, sleet, melting heat, and an aching back. If a judge can’t make the show a pleasant experience, a long vacation filled with rest and recreation is the prescription.

      Deciding to Be a Judge

      What makes someone want to enter the show ring and judge dogs? Whatever is the triggering event, at some point in time certain dog fanciers decide they would like to become a judge. Maybe because they think they can do a better job than the last judge they showed under! It took me a long time to decide whether I wanted to contend with unhappy exhibitors, battle the elements, and put up with all the travel hassles. Handlers can escape the torrid heat or freeze-your-toes cold to momentary comfort where they can strip off pantyhose or add another layer. The judge can’t, at least until lunch break. And those horrid classes of five. Eeek! So for 28 years echoing Scarlett O’Hara, I said to myself, I’ll think about that tomorrow.

      Whether the idea of judging comes and knocks you on the head or sneaks up on you over time, the preparations you have to go through to become a judge will, at the very least, make you a better exhibitor and breeder. So while this book is oriented principally to new and prospective judges, anyone showing dogs can benefit from the advice, tips, and war stories included in the following pages.

      This book is not meant to be a technical treatise on the finer points of judging—anatomy, gait, or

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