Dog Shows and Judges

[thugulike]

I was somewhat surprised to see our judge last Sunday reading the catalogue. I thought they were not allowed to do that?

[lankeela]

Moot point - there is no actual rule against it, although of course it is frowned upon. There is a rule that exhibitors cannot say or wear anything in the ring that would identify the exhibit, presumably so the judge doesn't know who it is, but if they look in the catalogue they will know! Which show was this? Of course many breed specialists would know the dogs they are judging anyway, although some have been fooled when another handler takes them in. One GSD judge was famous for giving out the CC and saying to the handler - here you are that makes her up - only to be told it wasn't their dog which was on two tickets, it was someone else's they were handling.

[thugulike]

Just a local open show so no big stakes or anything. I was just surprised. I did see a dobe owner colouring in the back legs of their dog with a black marker pen at LKC. Hmm

[lankeela]

Asking which show was just a sneaky way of finding out who this judge was(!)
I judged a Min Poodle last week and when I got hold of its head it was stiff with lacquer.
Would just say that these are the exceptions before everyone starts to believe all they say about dog shows being fixed. Most judges/exhibitors are honest and show their dogs in their natural state.

[wolf63]

Lankeela - when you said that the dog was stiff my first thought was dead and stuffed. Bad me!

I went to a dog show once - my dad took me the day after my first dog died. It was meant to cheer me up. :-(

[thugulike]

A mastiff owning friend advised me to rub coconut oil into the muzzle so it looks darker. Not sure that is permissable either. I do use coconut oil to keep his elbows as soft as possible.

[jules77]

I am afraid that according to the rules ie:

a) No substance which alters the natural colour, texture or body of the coat may be present in the dog's coat for any purpose at any time during the show. No substance, which alters the natural colour of any external part of the dog, may be present on the dog for any purpose at any time during the show.

b) No substance (other than water) which may be used in the preparation of a dog for exhibition must not be allowed to remain in the coat or any other part of the dog at the time of exhibition.

[thugulike]

No coconut oil then! Luckily Georges mask is black anyway. We've got MA show on Saturday then..... Da daaa