says DO YOU EVER ASK JUDGES FOR POST SHOW FEEDBACK IF YOU DOG DIDN’T PLACE?
I have been showing dogs since 1987 and now retired. —S. Howard
the judge for his opinion on the day of the show, you got it” if you don’t like it, move on. There are lots of shows and lots of judges. —Anonymous Yes, I have. While I usually ask a judge’s feedback during casual conversation over a win picture, I have also asked a few for feedback when they “dumped” my dog. This is tricki- er because 1) many judges aren’t comfortable giving negative feedback; 2) you must be prepared for whatever you may hear and accept it graciously; and 3) it’s harder to find time to have a conversation with a busy judge if you’re not waiting in line together at the photographer’s stand. Some things that help: I ask in a very humble way, assur- ing the judge up-front that I highly value their opinion (this may or may not be true; but I fake it). Then, regardless what they say, I thank them, smile and walk away. I do not argue, cry or get angry. Then you need to ask yourself what you’ll do with the information. Sometimes this feedback can give you valuable information about your dog. Sometimes, it tells you more about the judge. For example, I once asked a judge what he thought of my bitch, who he placed third out of three in her class (the previous day, she’d won the major). He said, “A Bea- gle is supposed to be square. She’s not square.” That told me the judge did not understand our breed standard, and that in the future I should only bring him a very compact, short- backed Beagle (even if that dog wasn’t a “correct” Beagle). I do wish more judges would feel comfortable giving honest answers to this question. As exhibitors, we need to be more accepting of feedback, both good and bad. —Edy Ballard Only twice in the past (37 years of showing) have I asked the judges, “So, on what was the factor you based your final decision?” That question came only after I politely and respectfully introduced myself with a brief history of being an official designated mentor of the Collie breed for CCA. I’ve also, in a very respectful way said, “If you have any interest, I’d be happy to discuss the Collie breed with you.” —L. Jeszewski No, I have found that Judges that do not really know the Anatolian Shepherd Dog just say things like, “Well that was the best dog” or some other generic statement. Judges that do know our breed, which are few and far between, can give a detailed reason for their choices. With a good Judge you can typically see a common thread to their selections. —Anonymous Perhaps if I felt the other exhibits were of equal quality to mine. I would definitely ask if the quality was not a ade- quate representative of the breed and reflective of the breed standard. —Anonymous When I first began showing dogs, I occasionally would ask a judge what it was about my dog they didn’t like, but not any more. I found they usually would state the best thing/s about my dog and not what I knew needed improvement. —Anonymous
I did when I first started showing and got a few off the wall answers which I knew, even at that stage in showing, were not viable. Some made comments on areas of the dog I knew were good and confirmed by other knowledgeable dog peo- ple. I have been tempted at times, but no longer ask. I would love to see something implemented like they have at rabbit shows where the judge starts with the lowest placing rabbit and gives reasons for their placement. I know this would take longer, but with shows having less entries, it would probably last just as long as a bigger show. —Anonymous Good question. I think in the 48 years of showing dogs I have never asked a judge why he or she didn’t put up a dog I was showing. Now if a judge would ask me questions about a dog I was showing then we would discuss that dog. Some- times the owner of a dog we are showing will ask if they should ask the judge why they didn’t put up their dog but it is my feeling that the judge has given us their opinion on that dog so why ask. —Bruce Schultz
Once in a while I am interested in what a judge thinks of my dog. I do not make my own comments. I believe “you pay
“I ASK IN A VERY HUMBLE WAY, ASSURING THE JUDGE UP-FRONT THAT I HIGHLY VALUE THEIR OPINION (THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE; BUT I FAKE IT). THEN, REGARDLESS WHAT THEY SAY, I THANK THEM, SMILE AND WALK AWAY. I DO NOT ARGUE, CRY OR GET ANGRY.”
100 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A UGUST 2018
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