The Seven Secrets to Show Success:...
BY MICHAEL AND CATHY DUGAN continued
We developed a program to track judges who were assigned to PWDs and examined how 350 judges over several years looked at our breed in the ring. Did some judges prefer lion coat cuts over retriever? Was there a bias about curly or wavy, black, brown or white, big or small? Did judges show a prefer- ence for owner-handlers versus profes- sional handlers? We tracked all of this because even the most rigorous breed standards allow for variations in judg- ing and we were curious about whether favoritism existed. As a statistician, Mike was looking for those standard deviations from the norm. The result? We found that the vast majority of judges are consistent, well- versed in the standards and diligent. We noticed that the rare judge who was of course attracted the AKC representative at a show to provide advice and input about the process and didn’t last long. After 400 shows with Ladybug alone, the Law of Big Numbers kicked in. Over time and with enough shows every dog will get a fair chance to win. The trick is to go to enough shows. The more you show the more you win! If you have a truly great dog your success will amplify over time. How? Judges are human and have great mem- ories. The more Ladybug won, the more interest and buzz she created assisted by tons of advertising. Before she retired after Westminster, Ladybug became the dog to beat in the Working Group; that’s where you want to be. ARE YOU THICK-SKINNED? Over the years we have developed great friendships and relationships with the other performers in the circus. With our success came positive regard that was very gratifying. However… when you begin to win with your dog do not expect only love and adulation of your fellow breeders or the fancy. Human beings have a tendency to enjoy watching someone who has succeeded when they fail. Who did they think they are? The dog ring is no different than any other field of competition. Success breeds jealousy, envy and downright hostility. Because we don’t always win we have always tried to be gracious winners and losers. Watching a compet- itor stomp out of the ring is never fun to watch. We’ve talked a lot about developing goals and a strategy to achieve those goals. As with anything else in life stay- ing focused makes a huge difference. The distractions of those around you
who resent your dog’s success can’t always be ignored but they can be used to remind you-you’re going in the right direction. Normally, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is a definition of insan- ity. In dog competition, insane as it is, developing a consistent breeding and show program will produce success. Like the early Ford’s Aviator dogs come in many colors as long as it’s mostly black. It’s part of the brand. ARE YOU CLOSED-MOUTH? The flip side of having a thick skin is keeping your mouth shut. To say that dog shows breed gossip, innuendo and petty comments, as well as show dogs, is an understatement. We have learned to be even better listeners the more successful we have become. We’ve watched fellow breeders get sucked into some minor controversy only to find themselves quoted the next day by a co-conspirator. Outside the ring, we’ve learned to avoid engagement in gossip about any- one. Besides, it’s amazing how much you learn just listening to someone run out of words and then divulging too much information. When people visit our kennel, we avoid comments about a fellow breeder even though we may know they may not be operating appro- priately. We can only control how we operate as a responsible kennel. It’s the AKC and breed club’s responsibility to put unethical breeders out of busi- ness, even though they will continue to breed no matter what. Remember the AKC only registers about one per- cent of all of the dogs in this country. For the other ninety-nine percent, anything goes! WELCOME TO THE BIG TOP! As a new or veteran dog enthusiast, understanding the world of dogs really is like a circus helps to put this world in perspective. Somebody wins, some- body loses, great champions are soon forgotten as new hot dogs knock them off their perch and we’re all off to the next show. The fact that some owners and kennels have consistent success is the thread that runs through the Big Top. Those owners/breeders have taken the time and resources to figure out the nuances of what appears to be chaos but is actually a highly orchestrat- ed dance. Like any dance, it takes time to learn the steps and even more time to perform at the highest level. Enjoy the ride!
THE TRUTH ABOUT DOG SHOWS!
• With some people, you just don’t have a chance… • If you talk about dogs, you’re a know-it-all; if you don’t, you’re a snob… • If you don’t stop to chat at a show, success has gone to your head; if you do, you’re a show-off… • If your dogs are at all the shows, you’re not letting others have a chance; if your dogs aren’t at all the shows, you’re afraid of the competition… • If your dog wins, you know the judges; if they don’t win, you know nothing about breeding… • If you win and thank the judge, you’re playing poli- tics; if you win and don’t thank the judge, you’re rude… • If you lose and congratulate the winner, you’re a hypo- crite; if you lose and don’t thank the winner you’re a poor sport… • If you’ve been breeding for less than 20 years, you’re a novice; if you’ve been breed- ing for more than 20 years, you should step down and let the newcomers have a chance… • If you use your own stud, you’re kennel blind; if you go outside for stud services, you don’t think much of your own breeding… • If you sell most of your puppies, they aren’t good enough to keep; if you keep them, you can’t find buyers…
• Anonymous
68 • S how S ight M agazine , J uly 2018
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