I have to agree with those that said to speak if spoken to. It really depends on the judge and for some it depends on how they feel that day.

I enjoy showing under those that I know like our breed and those that I know truly want to try and do the best job they can.

Jay

is when I hear a judge state a handler's name in the ring.

Outside of the ring, at picture time, or after the show - that's all fine and dandy. But in the ring - sorry - that irks me to the begeezus.

I have not seen this alot - maybe 4 times in my brief showing career. Every time it has been when breeder judge is judging either another breeder judge, or a prominent breeder.

I think that the reason it bothers me, a "newbie owner handler", is that I am the underdog (no pun intended) in the ring and now I realize that I have to compete against a previously established relationship between the judge and another handler.

I am not naive - trust me. I know that human nature will create unfairness in the ring, but when it's vocal - sorry, I don't like that.

your input and experiences. I enjoy this forum as a resource, you can't find this information in a book!

Paula~

under the judges Guideline, rules and policies and procedures it says an AKC judge of Conformational shows is to limit conversation to exhibitors to only gaitting and position corrections..
at least that is how I read it...
so i always figured if they were not really supposed to talk to us then I dont talk to them..
as others stated....only talk when spoken to, IMO..

I do not speak to the judge unless I am spoken to. If the judge chooses to exchange pleasantries then I will do so. I will inform the judge if a bitch is in season or sometimes give an advance warning of a hyper active puppy lol. We are there to get an honest evaluation of our dog from a "supposed" expert opinion. We aren't there to make the judge our best friend. Some judges might not choose to talk so that others will not assume favortism will influence any of their decisions. I can see both sides... I do prefer a judge who smiles and seems to enjoy the dogs all conversation aside.

Dennis
MyToy Bulldogs
www.mytoybulldogs.com
http://www.mytoybulldogs.com

to speak only when spoken to and keep my eye on my dog. So, if they give me a hello, etc. I will answer politely. One even asked if the party the night before was good when he saw flecks of nail polish I couldn't get off, on Star's toes! But I always will let them know if my bitch is in heat, which seems to be very much appreciated on their part.

You and I are one of a kind. I am nervous in the ring and it shows. Our conformation instructor told me to sing under my breath or hum while in the ring. She said it helps with the nervousness, so if your in the ring and hear someone humming Yankee Doodle or Twinkle Twinkle, you'll know its me. I also eat breath mints like they are going out of style. I tried chewing gum one time and I came out of the ring and the conformation instructor stuck out her hand and told me to hand it over and never go in the ring with it again. When I asked her what was wrong, she said she couldn't tell me how the dog looked for watching me chew like a madman....)))LOL
Laura

Have you ever showed to her? She gave me WD and RWB at a recent show but it was very obvious she was not in a good mood. I had only showed to her one time before and didn't recall her being in a bad mood, but she made me more nervous than I already was....
I much prefer pleasant happy judges.....
As for speaking to the judge-if I am spoken to, I respond in kind. If not, then I don't.
Laura

of horses did you show? did you train them? now horses I can push out a smile for, but i've never been competive in them just love there company, and riding. this is my 23 yr old mare and me this fall


Kristie Barwick
http://www.symarunbulldogs.com

for entering the show. I think it shows he enjoys his assignment too.


He also told the girls when he was juding jrs. to get their hair out of the face. Lets just say they plastered it back after that. of course we kept telling them get the hair back, but when he told them it stuck

:D

Vicky,
Bosco, Bella, Breve' & Holly

PHOTOS ARE PROPERTY OF LANGAGER BULLDOGS, YOU MUST HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR ANY USE OF THESE PHOTOS FROM LANGAGERBULLDOG.

drives me nuts too. I've heard that for years. I guess I look grumpy just like the judges, lol!

I don't usually say anything to them unless thay say something first. I do warn them if the bitch is in season. I think it is a little ice breaker if you do say good morning. Some will respond and some won't.

I'm very quiet and after showing horses for 30 years you never speak to the judges and they rarely speak to you so I've had years of silence, lol!

I do always thank them after they have individually moved me before I go around or back to the line. I guess this was left over from my Jr days because it is completely automatic.

I much prefer to show to the pleasant judges.

I'm in the ring to win and have fun doing it, but it is like work to me in the meaning that I take it seriously, I practice with my dogs and train them and build a relationship and we 'work' as a team. So it's hard to remember to smile when I'm focused on what we're doing and how we look doing it! LOL

Paula~

eating a lemon... yep thats me, I'm serious/ nervous, I always hear people say SMILE it drives me nuts haha.... its alot to keep the dog looking good, leash collected, watching the judge at all times, and what he's doing with the others in the ring, and still smile!

Kristie Barwick
http://www.symarunbulldogs.com

most of the time i look like im eating a lemon. I find i need to relax in the ring and look like it's fun. Im serious when im showing.

Vicky,
Bosco, Bella, Breve' & Holly

PHOTOS ARE PROPERTY OF LANGAGER BULLDOGS, YOU MUST HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR ANY USE OF THESE PHOTOS FROM LANGAGERBULLDOG.

Because I'm so busy making sure my dog is standing correctly, my head is down!
When the judge is there, I'm usually giggling by that time because I don't know how long they've been standing there!

I'm never nervous in the ring, just want to do the right thing and not make mistakes! I guess if my dog & I present ourselves well and as a team I can't go wrong! LOL

Paula~

I never talk to judges, if they speak I sometimes give a one worder, I dread getting photo's done as well.... I never know what to say?? my mom always tells me I look like a grump buts its just nerves, and i'm pretty quiet in person. I pray for the day i can walk in the ring and be relaxed lol... speak when spoken to is good advice!

Kristie Barwick
http://www.symarunbulldogs.com

Guess I'll play it by ear. If I'm not the first in the ring I can atleast watch what the other exhibitors do and go from there. I too look a bit like a sourmug if I don't make myself smile.

Paula~

I have followed the speak when spoken to.

I just try to smile when in the ring (if I don't TRY, I look like a sourmug bulldog!) and greet my dog (or praise), not the judge. I try to just have fun, and work as a team with my dog, and hopefully this puts all three of us in a good mood.

When greeted, I smile and return the greet, but that's it.

as have I and received 'good morning' in return, but also have received some scathing looks....could it just be that that particular judge seems to not enjoy the assignment?

Paula~

I always say thank you, yup, even for white....it's simply good manners. Thanks for your input.

Paula~

-Brian

Most of the time, i have been asked or commented to. Hi how are you, good morning. To be honest, i would feel rude to not reply. Dont go in great detal, good morning back.....


I always say thank you when i get a ribbon, even if it's white.

:D

Vicky,
Bosco, Bella, Breve' & Holly

PHOTOS ARE PROPERTY OF LANGAGER BULLDOGS, YOU MUST HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR ANY USE OF THESE PHOTOS FROM LANGAGERBULLDOG.

there is no rule against it as such but it would be a rare occurrence for someone to take a bitch in season to a show over here! Heck you would really be frowned upon!

but never initiate conversation