Someone who has told me a couple of weeks ago that my dog should beat theirs to BOB at an open show.

I went to Crufts, first time exhibiting with my first show dog. We were in one class then on our breed stand. Was a big class, didn't get anything. That's ok :)

Taking a lunch break from DD and I was sitting with my dog on my lap. I was with my mum and brother by our bench.

Someone came up to us. She was purely a spectator there. She, without asking, randomly comes up and starts going over my dog, telling me his faults. She then told me "He'll qualify you for Crufts every year, but he won't do any better. He won't become a Champion."

She then told us to use an illegal substance, because apparently everyone does, to get rid of the spots on his legs (which is cosmetic and not against the standard).

Then she told us she had been in the breed x years and hadn't got any tickets so we shouldn't either.

This woman knows we are newbies and my dog hasn't done badly at open show. He qualified so can't be hat bad right?

It was absolutely horrifying. My brother was there to support me. First time he'd come with us to a show and this happens.

>""He'll qualify you for Crufts every year, but he won't do any better. He won't become a Champion.""

Sounds like you really rattled her cage :) Some people can be so nasty and the fact that she picked you out sounds like she is trying to scare you off. I would see it as a compliment that she is worried enough about your dog, to go to such lengths to scare and intimidate you.

For future reference: you are not obliged to allow anyone to go over your dog that you do not wish to. He is your dog and no one else has the right to touch him unless you invite them to do so. If she ever approaches you again - tell her to go away :)

Then she told us she had been in the breed x years and hadn't got any tickets so we shouldn't either.

She can't be much cop then if she's never won any tickets after years! I'm with Admin, this was somebody worried about future competition!!

she sounds a bit bitter to me and somewhat worried you may beat here. Ignore her and have fun

Oh forget it...it happens all the time.
I once 'rescued' a bitch by my stud dog and ..with her new owners a total stranger introduced themselves to her as a "Crufts judge". Proceeded to tell her that the bitch was a " certain Crufts champion" etc etc.....
Load of baloney...bitch was a pet.

I ALWAYS know how good my pups are...first time out half the people stop...gawp ...and flick through the catalogue...the other half try their best to ignore my pup but fail......it always fills my heart with glee. An infallible indicator.. :-)

They don't even notice your dog if its mediocre....be happy!

I agree with the others. And if someone tries to go over your dog without asking first, politely point out that they shouldn't just grab your dog without asking!! How rude! Let's hope you soon prove them wrong and starts taking tickets! I have a friend in my breed who has been in it for years and rarely got better than 4th out of 5 or 6, her dogs are awful but she is convinced it's all crooked judging, I can't say anything because she really does love them. And she's always making comments on the other dogs which are a load of rubbish.

Talking of being rude to the dogs, on the way out after BIS I overheard someone ahead of me saying they were glad the American cocker didn't get anything because 'they're just stupid crossbreeds and not real cockers' - my goodness they were lucky I was too tired to give them a good tongue lashing!

Norman Mailer famously took it very badly when he felt that somebody insulted his dog. Not that being gay is an insult; but he perceived it as such when directed at his (small) dog, fifty odd years ago.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/norman-mailer-400006.html

Thanks all, I feel like I've had an over-emotional few days and now that I'm just being silly about it.

Carolcries,

Unfortunately showing seems to attract some real wrong 'uns even though most people are very nice and genuine.

I was once told by a KC committee member and judge "oh you were lucky to get anywhere with that breeding...ooops", this after having just got a third in Limit at the breed club champ show. Charming. Even if it were true, to say it was unforgivable. It was nastiness pure and simple. Nowt so queer as folk, as they say.

Enjoy your dog and your showing, so long as you are both happy that is all that matters and forget the show sociopaths- they have something missing.

Was told at Crufts about ..one kind 'gentleman' who once told an exhibitor....just after winning her bitches FIRST CC..." Just need to find two more idiots now and she'll be made up".

Lovely! :-(

But she was :-)

I was proud as punch with my longcoat Shepherd and (naively) entered him at a breed champ show. A stranger came up, pointed at him and said "what the hell is THAT!"  Obviously a short coat fan, so I said I've been insulted at better places than this and left. I still took the best boy home IMO.

Frankly I don't care about other people's opinions now.

When I bred my first litter, someone who has been around since the 70's when the breed was first imported to the UK came to see the pups.   Someone had chosen a bitch pup they liked and asked the opinion of the person involved in the breed.  His reply was 'You will have fun with her at open shows but don't expect to do much at Championship show level'.    Well said pups first CC was won at Crufts along with BOB, she won a further 5 CC's and 6 RCC's.

Thanks all -will take such comments in the future as a compliment :)

Years ago when I lived in Essex, there was a Companion/Fun show held every year on the farm behind our house. So one year we decided to have a wander over, and took our 3 Bassets with us. As we walked across the field, some fat old trout with the skinniest Greyhound I have ever seen, shouted out at the top of her voice and pointing to one of my dogs "eeeeewwwwww it's the wrong colour!!!"

The dog in question just happened to be 12 years old and his "wrong Colour" was in fact his old age showing where he'd gone grey.......

My reply to her is unprintable....but needless to say she'll think twice before opening her fat gob again.