Michelle,

Only experience will tell you which judges, whether breeders or not, will do the best job they can because they care about what they put up considering the very real possibility that what they put will contribute to the next generation. I very much enjoy showing at both specialties and all-breed shows because, generally speaking, you get an overall idea of the quality of dog you're showing. At specialties the judge is almost always either an active breeder or someone that actively bred in the past that has his or her idea of what the Standard is saying. Usually type is very important to these breeder-judges and sometimes type will win out over soundness and sometimes you will see very typey dogs/bitches go up that look like a Bulldog standing there but they may not move exceptionally well. On the other hand, judges at the all-breed shows may come from any number of backgrounds - breeder of another breed or ex-handler. Unless these judges have in their minds that a Bulldog should be forgiven for not so great movement, in general, they will not forgive unsound movement but may even skew towards a Bulldog that moves more like a generic dog. Of course, these judges will also have their own ideas of what the Standard is saying, most of the time dependent on who their mentor was or their mentors were.

I've kept everything in my mind about judges and what they know, what they prefer, how good they are with the dogs, especially puppies etc. I will make my entries based on this knowledge. I try to give new judges at least one chance especially the ones that are approved for other breeds that I can go and watch them judge the breeds that they're already approved for. That's not going to tell you what they'll do in Bulldogs, but it'll tell you their ring procedure, how confident they usually are and what they tend to choose.

There are definitely judges that will NEVER put their hands on any of the dogs I show now and in the future for one reason or another. In this day and age, the costs are too high to waste on these people.

Understand that I don't have to win to feel that a judge has done a good job. As long as I can follow or at least get an idea of why a judge made his or her placements the way he or she did, then that's fine. It is when there seems to be no rhyme or reason that 1st through 4th was placed the way they were that makes me shake my head, especially when there was a large enough entry to make solid choices in the classes. To me, it's in the classes where a judge will tell you what he or she knows in how the classes are sorted out.

You'll find that there ARE judges that are not breeders that like the breed and that really, really want to and try to do a good job judging our breed. The thing is that most people don't show enough to see enough of how a particular judge will judge our breed. Going online to look up results will only tell you the names of what placed and won and unless you are familiar with those dogs or even their lines, then you don't get a great overall picture of what the judge prefers.

Jay

People who give their opinion on judges are at various stages of sport involvement and breed knowledge. Even someone with many years under their belt might not be as breed saavy as you might expect.

There is no shortcut to figuring out judges. It is all individual.

Going beyond what I would hope would be a high degree of breed knowledge, I am fussy on ring procedure.

Some people are very concerned with the demeanor of the judge and/or how nice he or she is.

Make a notebook, keep notes and be open minded enough to admit a judge is a good one even if you do not win or sometimes more important, is a lousy one even if you DID win.

You know what drives me nuts? People who critique judges without having watched more than 3 classes. If you want to evaluate judges, watch the entire assignment and pay attention to every dog. Some classes are tough to judge due to lack of quality. If I based my opinion of judges on one or two classes of mediocre dogs without watching the whole class, my opinion might be skewed. And going on show reports without seeing or knowing who else was there is pointless.

e

love hearing them talk and share thier stories about Bulldogs and how much the breed has changed.

I wont name judges because i dont think thats fair but i will say that I have shown under a few all breed judges whom dont care to be judging the Bulldog ring that day and while judging that ring they are off in la la land, watching the other rings next to us..Not fair when we all pay and entry fee. A good judge stays focused on the ring they are judging and picks the best dog for that day, what ever it may be. As Elizabeth said, its in the eye of the beholder.


Rhiann @ Butlerbullz

I only attend all breed shows b/c the area I'm in doesn't have a bulldog club so no specialties unless we travel a day or two. I enjoy being with friends at the show, seeing the new dogs out and what is in the ring, not just in my breed but in others as well.

As for judges, I keep a database of judges that have put bulldogs up in group. It's a bit of work but I keep track and at least get an idea whether or not the judge likes bulldogs. Here in Atlantic Canada, there aren't many bulldogs so to get a championship, we have to place in group for the most part. I will show to any judge once, then make a decision to show under them again. How do I decide? Did they look at my dog or were they looking outside the ring? How did they handle the dog? Did I feel I got a fair look?

I once showed and didn't win anything other than breed (but was the only dog) but the judge, was fantastic and I felt that he at least looked at my dog. I thanked him the next day for making me feel so comfortable in the ring, even though we didn't win anything. That's the kind of judge I'd show under again even if I didn't win. Oh, I was just starting to show too... LOL I forgot my armband and had to run to the other end of the arena to get it... he was still very patient with me even though I wasted his time! Maybe that's why we didn't place in group! LOL

Shelley - Sophie N Angels Mocha & Stella

I appreciate ALL of the feedback. I am the only Bulldogger in my all-breed club and want to know the specifics in regards to attracting more Bulldog entries at our shows. I always welcome the diverse guidance from those of you on this forum. If you have any other suggestions, again, please don;t hesitate to share- would love to know!!!

Here's a Yahoo Group that people comment on the judges they like and dislike. I only used it as a reference and only use my past experiences as who to show under and who not to show under. Bit I like to read up on the judge to see what type of dogs he/she likes and what others have to say.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/AKCjudging2/

You have to join to be able to read, but all it takes is registering.

Bruce Fisher
FISHERIDGE BULLDOGS

Respect the Elders, Teach the Young , Cooperate with the pack, play when you can , hunt when you must, rest in between, share your Affection, voice your Feelings, Leave your Mark!!!

Definition of a judge that a person states "I will never go under 'that judge' again"....he/she didn't like the type of bulldog that person showed him or tends to have. (likes cobby dogs and person doesn't have cobby dogs etc)
If a lot of people say the same thing it could be they find the judging to be inconsistent and feel the judge does not have good knowledge of the breed standard.
Another reason could be that judge is sort of short with exhibitors or is a bit rough on the dogs he/she goes over.

I think the first one "he/she doesn't like my dog" is one of biggest reasons people will not show under a particular person. If I am going to spend the time and money to show and I know a particular judge does not like my dog then why would I waste the money and time.
However, it is often 'sour grapes' talking too.


Lorraine
If only I was as good a person as my dogs seem to think I am!
Find us on:
www.karismakennels.com

some folks have commented that "specific judges" draw large entries. And I've also heard comments like, "I'm not/never show under that judge!" Is there a list of all breed judges for review? And how can one obtain said list?
Thanks!

That was DOGS and breeding schemes!!

I love watching fogs and breeding scenes and judging.

As far as naming judges... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!