that is a great article

The format was very cool. 2 judges in the ring makes their pics and then a third judge enters to choose the final winner. You should have seen the draw for that show! There must have been 50 bullies in the ring.

I was not trying to belittle anyone's wins... I entered but didn't go. I would love to see a breeder judge judging, and maybe a education seminar after as well!!

Kristie Barwick
http://www.symarunbulldogs.com

but please feel free to send my sentiments along as wellon this issue.
I would like to see breeder judges for the bulldog in future specialties.
I am in no way commenting on the performance of the last specialty (I was not there) but it just stands to reason the judge should be a breeder judge.

Kristie. I won't be making it to the club meeting this weekend due to distance but have a few friends who will be there and speaking on my behalf. I asked that this point be throughly discussed, a specialty, especially when there is only one a year, should be a breeder judge. Not only to improve the quality of judging, but it may attract more entries as well.

a breeder judge for our annual specialty

Kristie Barwick
http://www.symarunbulldogs.com

"It seems newcomers to the fancy who have arrived within the past ten or twenty years"

actually this was the part that made me question his age, and quoting the judge. I did put thought into the article, and re read it yesterday more than once. I'm happy you posted it. I have dog articles in a folder and pull them out and reread them to get different views, probably why I'm a hairdresser. I'm not a judge but enjoy sitting ring side and watching a day of all breed dog shows, I do see a few in a day that when they go in the ring I can't take my eyes off them, pretty outline and beautiful movement. I'm more than happy that the owner brought them out for everyone to see.
I do agree with Cindy on one note of there being to many shows, dogs finish to quick, and entries are declining.

Kristie Barwick
http://www.symarunbulldogs.com

Great article!

If I have to go in the ring one more time with a judge that has the "bigger is better" mentality I am going to scream!!!
Some very good breeders with very good dogs have stopped showing because of this nonsense. Too bad.

Also, a bitch that weighs approx. 40-50lbs with very nice conformation will lose to the 70lb male that is not as correct. With this mentality it is almost impossible for a female to stand a chance of taking breed.

I think the only way to change it in Ontario is the clubs need to be more active. It will be up to the clubs to educate the judges with seminars. I for one love the history of the dog show and would like to see it maintained but it is being abused and our purebreds are paying the price.

The dog show format may have to change or the original purpose for the dog show will be lost.

I also think there are too many dog shows and clubs. This thins out the competition and enables sub par dogs to aquire championships too easily.

the quote and then the paragraph below. The fellow who referenced the 70s was some judge, not the writer. What makes life interesting is differences in opinion. I happen to agree with the article and as one who looks to the increasingly distant past for the greatest dogs of our breed, tend to take that side of the argument to heart.
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“The great winning dogs of the 1970’s were not, by far, improved on. Their outstanding qualities were lost to the breeds by a concentrated effort to produce reliable mediocrity. This is not bettering the breed, it is bettering the chances of any and every litter producing dogs that are decent enough to win. Such mediocre champions are being campaigned against each other to attain great show records, as though it were the number of wins, and not the quality of the dogs that is important.”

That statement was made by a judge who declined to have his name attached to it on an internet blog, and perhaps that refusal is testament in itself to the problem of the general deterioration of breed quality in show dogs.

although this article was well written I found it a little depressing until half way through the last paragraph, then it turned it around for me. Is the picture of the man the author?? doesn't look like he was around before the 70's. Why is it that people can't look to the future and dwell upon the past?? there will always be people who will always be "IN" breeding dogs for the fame, I'm sure there always has been.... I am aware of the cost put into some dogs careers, but it should not be a reason to leave a beautiful dog on the couch because he doesn't win all the time. A dog show to me is the reason to go to classes, trim whiskers, train, and work with my dog on a daily basis.... I believe in dog shows, there are good judges who do what they want and one can only respect there decisions. sorry JMO

Kristie Barwick
http://www.symarunbulldogs.com

I enjoyed the article.

I don't watch other breeds very often but we were discussing the Boxers this weekend and how they have changed They look about as wide as a grey hound with a curved up muzzle. I have no idea if this is their standard but in comparison to the Boxers my father was finishing in the 70's they are completely lacking in substance. I've also noticed the lack of substance in other breeds as well. Our Top 10 Dobes Specials and BISS, BIS English Springer Spaniel would have beem mammoth compaired to the dogs showing today.