608 – Dog Judging Process and Ethics with CKC Judge Steve Dainard
Dog Judging Process and Ethics with CKC Judge Steve Dainard
Host Laura Reeves is joined by Canadian Kennel Club all-breeds judge Steve Dainard for part one of their conversation about the judging approval process, judging ethics and other hot button topics as we progress through “meat and potatoes” November!
“So how do we help judges move into a place of thinking more about structure and less about the ‘paint job’,” Laura asks.
“Some of the biggest challenge is, do (judges) have that breed specific knowledge,” Dainard replies. “And are we consistent in this application? Are we judging fairly and equitably and being consistent enough so that people that are watching, and in particular breeders, can follow and they can say, this person really knows my breed?
“CKC judges get scrutiny from other non-Canadian judges about how we get there too quickly. and that maybe you know in your country, it takes it takes longer to get there. So, let’s agree that maybe somewhere in the middle might be more ideal.
“Organizing bodies do the best they can, given the current environment, to come up with a fair and equitable process. They don’t always get it right and many times changes just are just so laborious, it takes so long and really, what is the right fit. So, I understand those challenges.
“So, I think we need to work within the constraints of what we’re handed with hopefully trying to make improvements along the way. Some of those challenges are making sure we have breed specific knowledge, that we’re not missing the hallmark characteristics of a breed and just going for a more of a generic exhibit.
“If you have to ask, ‘Is there a Rule against that’, what’s happening is your moral guideline. Your compass is probably kicking in. I think you’ve already answered your question. If you have to question yourself like that, whether there’s a rule or regulation specifically forbidding that is irrelevant. You’ve already answered your question. It should not happen.
“We were raised in the sport. We spent decades in the sport. We know a lot of people. So now because we’ve chosen to change hats to now become judges, all of those relationships and those hotels we shared and vehicles we traveled in those don’t go away.
“My interpretation is that when that’s said as the reason to justify a win, my gut goes to ‘Have you really evaluated everything. Did you fairly look at the dogs in competition.’ Many times, I don’t think you’re really did that. I think that the political excuse was the easy excuse for you to justify that in your mind and poo poo the credibility of the ethical issue around the judging process.”
181 – Dog Show Judges, Family and Welcoming Exhibitors
Dog Show Judges, Family and Welcoming Exhibitors
Dog show judges, their knowledge and skill level are a constant topic of conversation in purebred dogs. This isn’t a new discussion. From the days when new judges were hand-picked by one of the “in crowd” to today’s more egalitarian system, the role of adjudicating in a subjective sport has routinely been akin to wearing a bulls-eye at a firing range.
Dog Show Judges Approval Always a Challenge
AKC Vice President of dog show judges, Tim Thomas, wasn’t born into the sport. He rose through the ranks as an owner, exhibitor, club member, breeder, handler and eventually AKC employee. His job today revolves around the always lively debate about how best to select, educate and promote judges for the conformation ring.
“… the process (by which) we approve judges is always going to be controversial,” Thomas said. “The last system was horrible, the current one is the worst ever and the next one will be the greatest one ever – that’s always the mindset.”
Thomas advocates that great dog people are born, not made.
“… the reality is, in anything, you’re going to have a broad spectrum of skill sets,” Thomas added. “You’re going to have from the most excellent, to those who are challenged and you’re going to have a whole lot in the middle. And that’s with any field and with any skill set. And we have to recognize it’s true in our judging community, in our dog show world too.”
Educating new judges and assessing existing judges is all part of the process, Thomas noted, so that exhibitors feel they are being judged fairly and haven’t wasted their $30 entry fee.
“…no matter what the process that the AKC puts in place to approve its judges,” Thomas added, “there will be individuals who will try to find a way around or look for the shortest path and there will be those that will prepare until they feel comfortable that they’re ready the judge a breed.”
Thomas strongly supports the recently re-established process of having Executive Field Representatives observe judges and discuss the entry with them to help ensure a nuanced understanding of breed standards and judging procedures.
Drawing on his extensive background in the sport, Thomas shared a deeply personal story about his favorite judge of all time. (No spoiler alert! You’ll have to listen to find out who it is… ) And why the “dog show family” is so important to the fabric of the sport.
And he shares this MOST important observation:
“…(O)ne thing that I think that we have to implore to all of us and whether it’s the way that we act at shows, to the way we conduct ourselves in social media platforms, that we have a bad habit of eating our young,” Thomas said. “..(I)t’s very easy to point the finger and blame to everyone else. But I think all of us are responsible for the way that we conduct ourselves, to have ownership in that if we want our sport to have longevity, we have to make a conscious effort to support those who are new into it. And that’s treat them with respect and nurturing them and mentoring them and not just as point makers.”
For more information about the AKC Conformation Judging Approval process, visit: http://www.akc.org/sports/conformation/judging-information/
42 – Juniors Speak Out: Listen to the Wisdom – Jr. Showmanship Judges
Juniors are Wise Beyond Their Years
Little did we know when Laura Reeves put the question out on Facebook asking the simple question…
Is there a difference between competing in Junior Showmanship and the regular conformation ring?
We would be overwhelmed with a multitude of intelligent, thought-provoking responses!
Juniors of all ages, aged-out Juniors, and Juniors that are now judging Juniors have a lot to say!
Here is a list of some of the best! Thank You!
Taylor Marshall, Rily DeVos Mars, Kelly Schur, Janelle Chamberlin, Kendyl Schultze, Jess Pearson, Alexzandra Erb, Shahntae Martinez, Cassie Noe, Abbie Marsh, Jeannette Mueller, Hannah Layne Hunyady, Shannon Jimenez, Vienna Yeadon, Lauren Elizabeth Weber, Annika Dechert, Anna Pearson, Caleb Campbell, Kim Bullard, Terri Brennan-Weiss, Kaitlin Derosier, Mallary Ross, Chloe Auld, Sylvia Miller, Gilliam McKim
Per Request
Yes, we will be publishing an article with all the responses! It will also be in our weekly newsletter, so if you aren’t on our mailing list… join us.
