(Show) Lead by Example Have Loose Leads Been Replaced by a ‘Tightness’ Trend? ARTICLE AND PHOTO BY DAN SAYERS A n invitation to judge at your breed’s National Spe- cialty is an honor bestowed on just a few lucky fanciers. Accepting that invitation, however, is not for the faint of heart. After all, stepping into
In 2002, I was invited to judge Sweepstakes at the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America’s National, held in Jamestown, Virginia. The invitation came as a surprise, but I accepted without reservation since this is the breed that has held my attention since I first saw its likeness in a book about dogs. I’d been a member of the parent club for nearly 20 years at the time and worked on the Board in a variety of positions. I’d even bred a litter that produced five champions, with a couple of dogs that earned titles on both ends. I felt certain that I could do a good job evaluating the merits of the dogs brought to me by my peers. So, I studied the standard intensely to make sure I could distinguish its requirements from my personal prefer- ences. I couldn’t wait for the day to arrive when I could get
the center of the ring under the watchful gaze of fellow club members can make or break a person. Your placements will likely raise your stock in the minds of a few, but a wayward point of the finger can also result in “D” grade on your judge’s report card. In the end, your winners will go into the record book and the memory of so many beautiful examples of the breed you love will last a lifetime. The secret to enjoying the assignment is to remain focused on the dogs, and not the han- dlers—or the handling.
A tight show lead is perfectly acceptable for some, but not all, breeds.
66 • S how S ight M agazine , A pril 2018
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