I was at a local companion show yesterday and something happened really made me smile.  A lady went into the puppy class with a certain type of dog, (which admittedly seemed a good dog), but got thrown out of the class.    I could tell she wasn't happy as she complained to her friends about the decison and was going to confront the judge and ask her 'what was wrong with the dog' and if indeed she 'knew what sort of breed he was'.   And I thought these shows were supposed to be fun -  I wonder how she reacts at open or champ shows?  I certainly wouldn't like to be the judge.

I was at a companion show at the weekend and according to the people next to me the judge gave best in show to someone that he is very friendly with.  And I thought face judging only happened at higher levels :rolleyes:

I must admit though, some people do take these shows ever so seriously :D :D

Mus be a bit disheartening when a Judge doesn't know what breed your dog is though ...if they don't, how can they judge it against the breed standard? ;) :D

I lost all a lot of faith in companion shows the day I went and best condition was won by a dirty VERY matted collie type dog...there are times when you can put judging down to preferences and times its just a joke!
Even at companion shows I think the judging should be at least seen to have reason behind it but when its just sour grapes on the behalf of the competitor I must admit it makes me smile....such sad lives they must lead when something like not placing at a fun show makes you upset
Archer

Tell her it's character building :-D I was once gently told that my "collie cross should be in the non-pedigree classes" at a Companion show , my 'collie cross' now has 2 res CC's ! ( he's a Groenendael !)

Companion shows are supposed to be fun, if you can't take a judges decision at any level of showing ...... don't go!

Thinking about the condition class reminded me of an exemption show I judged. There was a small terrier type in the class, absolutely gleaming condition, ears, eyes, toenails, coat all as they should be, then I lifted the white hair on his coat and much to my surprise saw he had little black friends running through the hair, so I didn't place him but quietly told the owner he was just a tad flea friendly. Anyway the winner of the class then said to me, "Why didn't you place the terrier?" adding "Even I can see it is perfectly turned out and it should have won". So even the judge can't win sometimes! :-)

I've never shown Copper as his temperament is terrible but he did model at a grooming show a few weeks ago and he was very well behaved.  Sadly the groomer didn't win a prize with him but I was so pleased that he behaved impeccably and lots of people came up and said what a lovely dog he is.  I let the groomer take him to the show because she thought he was the best dog to model, but for me it was a bit of fun and pride.  I certainly wasn't offended that he didn't win (he should have though :D :D).

CG

Congrats to Copper!   I suppose the thing with companion shows is that quite often the judge shows one particular breed and will always have their preference.    I've recently won 3 comp shows with my youngster but then at the weekend came no where to speak of - that's the way it goes - I wouldn't confront the judge about it!   We go along for the practice, the day out and also enjoy the novelty classes.  

sarah

I judged a companion show last year and spent the weeks beforehand going though all the breed standards and trying to memorise salient points that made the individual breeds what they were.  On the way there I was discussing with my steward the sort of breeds I like and those I am not at all keen on - so what did I pull out as my class winners - three out of four breeds I would not even consider owning but they did seem to be good specimens of their breed (in my limited experience).  So it is not always the breeds the judges like that they pull out as winners.

I think we all need to remember that A) companion shows are just for fun  B) they are cheap to enter, so wahtever happens you dont lose much  andC) by choosing to enter you ask for the judges decision, whatever it is, and ANYONE can be invited to judge - no level of knowledge at all is a required qualification to judge at this level.  so  -  "yer pays yer money and takes yer chance"

bye
Gwen