IS IT STILL A DOG SHOW IF THERE ARE NO SPECTATORS?
E veryone knows what a dog show is, right? A dog show is a competitive event in which individual dogs are assessed against their breed’s written standard of perfection. A dog show is the place where “breeding stock” is evaluated and where future breedings are considered by those who choose to promote, protect, and preserve purebred dogs. At a dog show, points are awarded towards cham- pionships and the number of dogs defeated represents points earned in the Breed and All-Breed ranking systems as well as in the National Owner-Handled Series. That’s what a dog show is, isn’t it? Well, this summary tells only part of the story. Historically speaking, a dog show has always been an EVENT! It was an exposition of great importance to the community in which it was held, as it provided an opportunity for the dog-loving public to meet breeds that were otherwise only accessible in books and on the silver screen. And much like a Hollywood movie, when the dog show came to town, everybody went to see it. Parents packed up the kids (and packed lunches) to look at all the dogs and cheer on their favorites. The “show” was staged for their benefit as much as for the participants. At a dog show, spectators were encouraged to mingle with the dogs every bit as much as the exhibitors were offered a chance to compete and win. Everyone benefitted from the shared experience, especially the clubs that expanded their treasuries through the sale of admission tickets, concessions, and parking fees. Dog shows are still invaluable to the breeders, exhibitors, and club members who endeavor to make every show a success; however, few organizations today seem genuinely able to attract spectators in significant numbers. The reasons for this are many, including the fact that people can now learn about dogs (and see a movie) without leaving the com- fort of their own homes. This predicament isn’t exclusive to the sport of dogs, of course, as it affects nearly every institution that has traditionally enjoyed in-person attendance and real-world participation. Major League Baseball, symphony orchestras, and even religious services are struggling to attract fans, patrons, and congregants. It’s simply a sign of the times that so many previously well-attended gathering places—dog shows included—no longer hold the kind of broad appeal they once enjoyed. There are, however, always exceptions. A few dog shows (and a few show locations) continue to welcome visitors in numbers that reflect the attendance levels of a bygone era. The National Dog Show in Oaks, Pennsylvania, and the AKC National Championship in Orlando, Florida, continue to attract both exhibitors and spectators in impressive numbers. Westminster too has always attracted entries no matter where the club has held its iconic event, and it would be interesting to see how many local New Yorkers would come back to wander the benching
BY DAN SAYERS
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2024 | 143
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