"HAVING been involved in the dog world for more than 50 years I like to think of myself as fairly worldly and not particularly naive, however I have recently come to the conclusion that maybe I’ve led a rather sheltered life as more and more I am being made aware of the darker side of our sport. "

Bribery and corruption… fact or fiction? by Andrew Brace

i can not comment on showing dog
but yes it happens in world of heavy horse showing its horrible as you put so much work and time in to producing horses for ring and its full of coruption
i stoped showing due to it
i got warning to not show at show as judge would not look at my mares .i.was stoped in supermarket carpark by friend if judge .he said do not go to national stallion show as judge of females said he wont look at your mares .i laughed it off and went to.show with my mare and filly and yes my mare and filly did not get looked at
the heavy horse showin is so coruped its unbelavible.i stoped showing as it was wast of time and work producing horses for ring
i am now happly showing gundog breed

I suppose it doesn't harm to air this subject which frankly DOES go on - perhaps more, financially, in some continental countries than in the UK, but it's been many, many years now since I was out showing.  

Once back in the UK on our return from living overseas, I was very much into a learning curve when venturing into the ring with my imports (even if they were a combination of the hounds of 3 countries, including the UK).    I started filling my 'little black book' quite fast!   I would suggest that when you have breeder judges predominently, as opposed to the system in N.America where most judges tended to come from the ranks of the professional handlers, moving up to judging, there is always going to be an element of 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours'.... but surely that situation would even out, over a show season?   And the more aware, wouldn't bother to go under anybody who obviously didn't like the type you had?

I do remember at one show where we picked up the Bitch CC on our Canadian-bred import going round the ring with the Dog CC/BOB winner and being told by her that I'd done well 'considering I'd not been around for long'.   Cough.   I might not have 'been around' UK rings for some 15 years, but for sure I'd put my time in even if it was elsewhere.   At the time I liked to think quality will out!!!

Interesting read, much as, with respect, I'd not think Andrew B. always judges the 'right end of the lead' himself!!!

ps   Even out in Canada - being judged by 'professional handlers', it became pretty obvious that some wouldn't consider an owner-handled entry - and again the little black book came into a lot of use!   We didn't use a prof.handler.   I preferred to show my own hounds.

Hmm..... is it surprising or not (!) that there has been very little CD response to this posting. I  am not at all surprised to read this. My main interest breed has been altered pretty well beyond recognition by show breeding and the accolades are  distributed amongst a self elected 'elite' group of breeders who have pandered to whatever type/colour was in vogue, with little or no regard for health, fitness for purpose and temperament. Many just move between various breeds as the fancy takes them and where opportunities for accolades and financial gain are available. Result, a square shaped dog ,with a coat unsuited to 'function' and a head more Samoyed than BC. Stud fees are astronomical with cash demanded upfront.  I've heard exhibitors discussing forthcoming shows- ' judge X will be judging and he/she will give me a CC' -or whatever.

So now it's cash for honours. Bah...humbug !

Cross section of society of course!
You'll will also find rapists, policemen, murderers, policemen convicted of rape, burglars, vicars, tarts, clowns, dentists, rocket scientists.....you name it..why would it be news that there is a percentage of cheats?

It is just the same in working (field) events.  You see people who are competing (who are also judges) being favoured over people who are competing but are not also judging.  Then you look at future events that season and realise that the person competing is judging the 'judge', in a couple of weeks, and you see why the judge favoured them.... :(

The working events in some cases have had fairer draw since the introduction of FTMS (Field Trial Management System) where the draws are done electronically, and are random.      Even then, some clubs have opted to have the entries taken electronicaly, and then do the draw on home ground .   

Jo