HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?
“EVEN TODAY, WHEN EXPENSES CONTINUE TO RISE AND THE BREEDING OF DOGS IS THREATENED ON SO MANY FRONTS, THE TRULY DEDICATED WILL ALWAYS REMAIN WILLING TO TRAVEL TO WHERE THE COMPETITION OFFERS THE BEST CHANCE TO FINISH A DOG’S CHAMPIONSHIP.”
The price of gas isn’t the only concerning cost for exhibitors today. Data from one travel website reports hotel prices in 2023 averaged $212, an increase of 54 percent from the year before! Here too, pricing varied widely from state to state and city to city. Bos- ton remained America’s most expensive place for an overnight stay, while Portland, Oregon, was the least expensive destination of all major US cities. On both coasts and all places in between, most dog show exhibitors appreciate a good deal when it comes to overnight accommodations, and many are happy with a simple room that’s clean and safe. For savvy out-of-towners on a budget, the average price for a less expensive double room last year was $168. Pet fees, of course, were an additional expense, typically ranging from $32.50 to $100.00 per night—per pet! For exhibitors living in densely populated states with many show-giving clubs, overnight stays are not often needed. In New Jersey, for example, where the average price of regular gas was $3.228 per gallon in 2023, there are more than 20 all-breed shows held annually, all within a few hours’ drive from New York City and Philadelphia. Additionally, there are seven Limited Breed shows and more than 35 Specialty shows for 14 different breeds. One of the Garden State’s all-breed shows has historically enjoyed entries that are among the nation’s largest. The first year I attended this particular show, the entry was in excess of 2800, with 133 breeds and varieties represented. Last year’s show, however, tells a story that reflects how much things have changed in the sport and in our world. The club’s show last year included 170 breeds and varieties that comprised an entry which was roughly half the total of four decades earlier. The reasons for this decline are many, including, but most assuredly not limited to, increased travel costs. Certainly, readers of SHOWSIGHT understand the many factors that have caused the downward trend in entries and the resultant scarcity of majors in so many breeds at shows across the country.
A cursory examination of the entry of two breeds at the shows mentioned above can shed some light on the disparity that exists between the haves (breeds with majors) and the have-nots (breeds without majors) in the sport today. At the club’s show in the 1980s, the Golden Retriever entry of 60 was one of the show’s largest. That year, it took 18 dogs and 19 bitches to make a 3-point major. Last year, the breed’s entry of 60 was the largest among all breeds, with 15 dogs and 19 bitches needed for a major. In brief, things don’t appear to have changed all that much for Goldens as show dogs. Conversely, the 1980’s entry for the Rottweiler (a Specialty) was an astounding 190, with 7 dogs and 9 bitches needed for a 3-point major. In 2023, the entry of 12 Rotties required 4 dogs and 5 bitches for the major. (There was a major in dogs but not in bitches.) The entries in these two breeds, it seems, tell a tale of two realities. As evidenced by the 1980’s Rottweiler entry, many exhibitors are more likely to enter (and travel to) a Specialty, leaving the all- breed shows to those who are committed to competing in the rat- ings systems and the National Owner-Handled Series. Specialties, especially a National, continue to provide opportunities for both competition and education—and they generally offer majors as well. Even today, when expenses continue to rise and the breeding of dogs is threatened on so many fronts, the truly dedicated will always remain willing to travel to where the competition offers the best chance to finish a dog’s championship. Although earn- ing a major these days can be as challenging as correctly answer- ing an algebraic equation, and more expensive, it’s certainly more rewarding. Just ask Marla and Kathy. Answer: Using Marla’s data, the rate of speed traveled by both women is: 300 miles divided by 5 hours travel time equals 60 miles per hour. So, using Kathy’s data, her travel time to get to the show is: 450 miles divided by 60 miles per hour equals 7.5 hours.
134 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MARCH 2024
Powered by FlippingBook