Which Came First… …the Ribbon or the Dog Show? BY DAN SAYERS A w a r d i n g r i b b o n s for class p l a c e -
Americans, it was the blue ribbon that came to symbolize quality and respectability. Although the written critique fad- ed into obscurity at North American dog shows, kennel clubs took to offering bigger and more elaborate rosettes for class winners and Group Placements. Now it seems a 12" rosette with a five-foot train is de rigueur for Best in Show! Emblazoned with both the show-giving club’s name and the date of the event, a ribbon or rosette represents a moment in time when a dog was acknowledged for its breed-specific quality. Every satin keepsake marks a milestone in a dog’s journey toward its championship and throughout its specials career. To most exhibitors, a ribbon also represents an invest- ment of time, training and talent—not to mention cold, hard cash and a dash of good luck. And as this investment in show ring success has increased, so too has the size of the symbols that represent that investment. Is it any wonder some rosettes have gotten as big as a Rottweiler’s noggin? Rosettes and ribbons are treasured mementos, no mat- ter their size. A ribbon is really a souvenir and, like all sou- venirs, it’s intended to be displayed. Shadow boxes, coffee table display cases and curio cabinets are just some of the more obvious presentation techniques, but a few resourceful exhibitors have even woven their satin souvenirs into fabric for pillowcases, crate covers and even clothing. Of course, the most time-honored way to display a cherished ribbon or rosette is to have it carefully matted and framed with the offi- cial win photo. Nothing distinguishes a single rosette (even a simple one) better than a montage that includes a photo with the judge holding the treasure that’s on display. After all, it’s important to honor the judge who awarded the win in the first place.
ments is a big part of what makes a dog show a dog show. In fact, ribbons, rosettes and printed sashes are so sought after by many of today’s exhibi- tors that some clubs have begun to offer spectacularly over- sized creations that dwarf even the giant breeds that earn them.
Their outlandish proportions and the attention to which they are paid might have some fanciers wondering, “Which came first, the ribbon or the dog show?” The first dog shows held in the United States were orga- nized by gentlemen hunters who gathered their gun dogs together for evaluation by other gentlemen hunters. Indi- vidual classes were established and dogs were sorted by a panel of judges whose collective opinions were recorded for posterity. When this system for assessing the merits of indi- vidual dogs grew into a sport, placements were commemo- rated with simple silk ribbons. But as kennel clubs flour- ished in large cities and became society affairs, entries were often encouraged by offering silver cups and bowls to the winners. Eventually, challenge trophies became the norm. But as the sport continued to grow to include middle-class
46 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A UGUST 2018
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