Showsight - October 2021

STAND ALONE OR CLUSTER?

“THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF OUR DOGS, AS WELL AS THAT OF OUR EXHIBITORS, NEED TO BE A PRIORITY OVER THE DESIRE FOR THE MONETARY GAINS OF THE AKC, THE SHOW-GIVING CLUBS, AND THE PROFESSIONAL HANDLERS. WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS.”

population and numbers of clubs, would have even more opportunities. And each of us who show dogs also knows that our gen- eral show area moves into adjoining states, so the opportunity for more shows near the average household would be greater. I am not advocating the total end of large clusters. But what I am suggesting is that the clusters be limited to those sites that are “Truly Exceptional.” We know these sites are extremely rare and usu- ally only exist in larger cities with huge convention centers and similar facilities. Those types of facilities also provide an opportunity for a huge spectator atten- dance that does not exist at most of our present cluster sites. I recently attended a four-day cluster where, while walking through some areas of the RVs, the smell of urine and other unsanitary conditions was a reminder of how the health of the dogs themselves can be compromised. The health and welfare of our dogs, as well as that of our exhibi- tors, need to be a priority over the desire for the monetary gains of the AKC, the show-giving clubs, and the professional handlers. We need to get back to the basics. There is no doubt in my mind that if given the choice, most all-breed clubs would embrace the idea of a three-day weekend in their territory. Those clubs could have a weekend that the local com- munity looks forward to each year. Clubs could use the Friday show to invite schools, nursing homes, and other civic organiza- tions to attend and be introduced to the various breeds and all of the things that AKC dogs have to offer. Having an entire three-day weekend might allow for local businesses or other groups to assist the clubs with sponsorship funding, because they might see the economic impact that shows can have on the community. These are just my insights, suggestions, and opinions. What do you think?

cost of facilities as well as the economic benefits they bring. However, I would propose that AKC take a good look at the cluster situation moving forward and con- sider the following: In those cases where the all-breed club is also an AKC member club, and they hold the show in their home territory, the club be granted three shows on the same weekend. The Benefits: The club does not need to work or interact with another club. They can still save money through the ability to hire judges for three days, cutting daily expense fees. The facility costs for the third day are usually lower, cutting the overall cost. Also, by staying in their home territory, they give the area a full weekend of exposure to our sport in that commu- nity, which may bring new interest and new members to the club and to the sport. This concept allows the average family the opportunity of a shorter commute to most shows while it is also easier for someone to take off one day on the weekend from school or work than it would be for two days or more. Using the average of eight clubs in each state, it would mean that on at least eight weekends per year, there would be shows in that particular state. In many cases, it would mean an average of at least one weekend a month. This would allow the average exhibitor between 24 and 36 shows in a given year, without even leaving their respective state. I’ll go a little deeper and use high population states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. There are 104 clubs com- bined in those states for an average of 34 clubs per state. This would translate into there being, on average, three weekends per month for shows within those states, with a possibility of up to 102 shows in a year, again, without the exhibitor leaving their home state. Of course, New York, Texas, and California, with their huge

ifornia, with 71. There are also only two states that are home to over 40 clubs, and they are Texas at 41 and New York at 45. Looking further, we only have 10 states, plus Washington D.C., that are home to five or fewer clubs. Along with the aforementioned Delaware, North Dakota and South Dakota, seven additional states (Utah, Alaska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wyoming) fit in this category. We have eleven states with between 6 and 10 clubs, and they are Ala- bama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, West Virginia, Maine, and New Mexico. And between 11 and 15 clubs call these states home: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missis- sippi, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee. This means that over 60% of our coun- try has a total of 249 clubs, which equates to just 34% of all show-giving clubs, with an average of about eight clubs per state. There are eight states with between 16 and 20 all-breed clubs. They are Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, North Carolina, Kan- sas, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Mis- souri. Michigan, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin fill out the next group with 21 to 25 all-breed clubs. Illinois boasts 28 clubs, while Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Flor- ida have between 30 and 40 clubs in their respective states. Looking closer at the numbers, more than 60% of our country has an average of about eight clubs per state. Looking back, before clusters, that would have meant about 16 occasions (8 clubs x 2 shows) where the local geographic area would have hosted an event, exposing our sport to the locals and providing shows within easy driving distance for the people who live in those states. Since having been a show chair, as well as a cluster chair, I understand the advan- tages of multiple days and the reduced

124 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2021

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