Having read through the "Who are you?" thread (good one by the way! nice to know what dogs people have got) I started thinking about the word 'expert'.  I think I'm the only one on there who's said they consider themselves to be an expert on their breed!  Is this right?  Surely there must be more breed experts out there.

I think maybe people have a problem with the word 'expert'.  Some may think it smacks of bigheadedness or a pompous attitude.  The dictionary definition of 'expert' states:  a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field; specialist; authority - possessing special skill or knowledge; trained by practice; skillful or skilled.  None of the above means that you're a know-it-all who's not still learning ;-)

Surely we have more people on this board who have specialist knowledge and skill in their chosen field with dogs?  Do you not have phone calls from people wanting advice about your breed?  Do you not have others asking you about their dogs, if they're good enough for the ring, what dog to mate their bitch to, etc?  Do you not get asked to write articles about your breed?  There must be people on this board who get all of the above!

It's not a crime to call yourself an expert you know! :-D

Debs

I agree with what you have said Soli but peoples definitions of the word expert all differ :-)
I would say an expert is someone who knows all there is to know and can learn no more,  and the majority of us have said that we know lots but still have lots more to learn.

Fair comment :-)  I just go by the dictionary definition - it's easier than second guessing what someone else thinks the word means LOL

IMO any expert can still learn loads.  I can think of two people on this forum that I know in person and I'd class both of them as an expert in their breeds.

Debs

An expert should know alot about a subject but like most things in life things change and so being an expert means keeping up with advancements and also to keep an open mind about different approaches to otherwise proven techniques etc.

I was the original importer of my breed with three others and I've had them 16 years, but I still cannot class myself as an expert as I'm still learning so many things about the breed and dogs in general.  It makes me laugh people who come into the breed and are self confessed experts after a year or two!

I would say, that I would be an expert in different areas, according to the actual definition of the word.  But the way society as a whole defines it, no I wouldnt be.  I mean I know a lot of my breed (from the other wonderful experts in it), but does that mean you know everything?  No way!

But if society says that an expert knows all there is to know, then I guess there wouldnt be any experts in the world, because you never stop learning about things.  There is always something you dont know.

Well I would like to think I am striving to become an expert in my breed but with only 16 years (though 6 generations) still consider myself a novice, and have relied heavily on my mentors and the experiences of those who have come before through research.

I have had reasonable success/luck to produce some good and mostly typical breed representatives and avoided any major health issues so far. 

My last two litters have produced RCC winners, so far and previously I have bred 3 UK Champions, imported a dog in partnership that has his UK title among others, and bred some overseas champions too, as well as other CC and RCC winners.

I have also had setbacks making a step forward and then back.  Never cease to be surprised, as nature is rarely predicatable.

I totally agree LJS :-)

Debs

DON'T HIT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                    another definition of expert--- ex-spurt = ex - has been, spurt = drip under pressure

SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY to all the very knowledgable people on here.

Chris

I think no one can claim to be a Expert in Dogs, One can claim
to be a Breed specialist, if you have been a successful breeder
Exhibitor and award Challenge certificates in a Breed,
Or have a good overall knowledge of dogs in general,
I have run a weekly Ring craft class for 32 years run by the
Pontypridd Canine Society, and over the years have had most Breeds
attend, teaching people to Exhibit Stand, Stack, and handle what ever breed they may turn up with, one must have the knowledge of how a particular
dog in presented, this comes with experience not expertize,
I am still learning every day about other breeds, and once a month attend
a seminar at a well known  BIS Judges home along with about 15 other
Breeds Groups and Ch Bis Judges,  when a Breed Specialist is invited to
take us through the Breed Standard, and Breed points to look for when we
could come across that breed in a Group, class , or Bis, one can learn
something every day if one wants to,
Last Seminar  was on the PBGV. and  GBGV,  we had a very well known
PBGV,  to go over, the speaker was Gavin.  but sadly no Grand to go over.

An expert should know alot about a subject but like most things in life things change and so being an expert means keeping up with advancements and also to keep an open mind about different approaches to otherwise proven techniques etc.

I'm one then!!

30-ish years breeding....same in the show ring......20-odd judging...20-odd training   I suppose I am then. :-)

Depends who's asking though.

I think no one can claim to be a Expert in Dogs, One can claim to be a Breed specialist

I agree with you there - I don't think anyone can claim to be an expert of all breeds.  But an expert in one, or even two, Yes.

Debs

I did learn a lot about The Grand, I did not know before,
most people think its just a bigger version,(( Not So as I
FOUND, out  ))) heads, ears set and size,,, length of muzzle , skull shape,
A very informative evening,

I would say "expert" and "Breed specialist" are two diffrent things.

An expert has to know a wide range of breeds and not just 2/3 but many.

A Breed specialist can be a well knowing person in a breed, but no one would call him/her and expert

I have had many people call me on breeding and have helped a lady twice with delivery with her pups- but No I would not say Iam anywhere an expert just able to help as much as I can and its something I enjoy- ooooh I luv lil newborn puppies aaaaaaaaaw

I cut my friends dogs nails so they don't have to go to the vet, I help people when they need help with their dogs- I would love to get into that but I don't see myself as that knowledgeable so to speak cause Iam always learning something knew.

I would say "expert" and "Breed specialist" are two diffrent things.

The English language is a funny old thing isn't it ;)  To me, a breed specialist (one who has proven knowledge and experience in their breed) would fit the definition of expert (a person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field) very well indeed.  I'd say that many experts in all sorts of fields specialise in one particular area - not the whole thing - i.e. an Egyptologist would be an expert in Egyptian archaeology - not an expert all types of archaeology.

Debs

I would personally say that to be an expert in anything, one would need theoretical knowledge and practical experience in that area that is significantly over and above that of the average person, and above that of an experienced person. For example I am a physiotherapist. I am an expert in the care of patients with cardiothoracic problems, because I have worked in that field for 15 to 20 years, continue to work daily in that field, keep myself updated with research in that field, and mostly OTHERS consider me a source of expertise because of my good results.
Therefore, to transfer that theory to care of dogs, in order to consider myself an expert, I would probably feel I would need to have been in the breed for over 20 years and to have owned probably about over 15 dogs personally, possibly have bred several litters, be more knowledgeable about genetics and breeding and the history of the breed, be more knowledgeable about breed health issues, and most importantly be considered an expert by peers, i.e. others in the breed.
I think that the main thing about being an expert in anything, is not whether YOU feel you are an expert, but whether your peers feel that you are.

Not really sure how anyone can be an expert in anything if it means that there is "nothing left to learn". Experts working at universities have to study annually & update their findings but there are fewer who are more versed in the subjects they are dealing with.

I think people are just afraid that they could be challenged if they admit that they are. I don't hold a light to 95% of you guys but my family consider me an expert on the subject.

Correct me if I'm wrong but an Egyptology will know everything there is to know about Egyptian archeology? Thus meaning that you can only be an expert if you know everything about said subject.

So again i would say there is no one that knows everything about dog's, no matter how long you have been in them, as you would have to have a very vast knowledge about all breeds

Correct me if I'm wrong but an Egyptology will know everything there is to know about Egyptian archeology? Thus meaning that you can only be an expert if you know everything about said subject.

Egyptian archaeolgy yes - not all types of archaeology (i.e. greek/roman archaeology): ergo - one type (breed) of dogs, yes - not all types (breeds) of dogs :)  And I still say there are experts in egyptian archaeology (and experts in their own breeds) who are still learning.

Expert does NOT mean, no matter what people think it means, knowing every single thing about a given subject and unable to learn any more nor be open to knew ideas.  The dictionary definition is very simple really :)

Debs

Well we will have to agree to dis-agree then.

I do hope there is only very few people that claim to be a expert, as it does come across as very big headed and not something that i would like to hear!

I would say breed specialist = expert on that breed, not ALL breeds.
Experts are always learning as noone knows everything about one particular thing.  Discoveries and advances are happening all the time.

I would consider the breeders I got my dog from experts in their breed as they have been in the breed many years, owning, exhibiting, breeding and judging to a high level and I would happily follow their advice.  Other people may not consider them experts but they are for me and I would probably consider them all round experts.

People may be experts in an ASPECT of a breed e.g. owned a breed for many years and had many examples but may have never bred or shown etc etc. 

Does that make any sort of sense to anyone????

Correct me if I'm wrong but an Egyptology will know everything there is to know about Egyptian archeology? Thus meaning that you can only be an expert if you know everything about said subject

I do hope there is only very few people that claim to be a expert, as it does come across as very big headed and not something that i would like to hear!

Archeologists, by their very nature, can never know it all because it's still all out there to discover BUT they may rightly be called experts.

Would it be alright if my hubby calls himself an expert? He's a senior medical specialist, practicing for 30-odd years and highly respected. He is constantly learning and if he lived to be 100 he could never know it all. Why is the term expert such a dirty word? I'm considered an expert in a field other than canine but I have spent as many years on both and certainly as much dedication. My co-workers have no problem inconsidering me an expert in my scientific field in fact my position would be rather untenable if I were not!

Surely the more people who have a good understanding and knowledge of a subject the better..

I too do not see the issue with the label 'expert'.

I certainly wouldnt consider myself one, in any of the areas that i DO consider myself very knowledgeable on.... but thats because there is always more to learn.

What is wrong with it though... i 'could' say and quite probably be correct, that I am *in comparison* to most people on this board, an expert in traditional leatherwork.

Why is that bad, its not me being bigheaded, its not everyone else being in any way 'not as good as' me... its a simple matter of me doing something that very few people these days do. Ergo, I know more about it than you do.

(Im so NOT an expert trad. leatherworker, and i wouldnt describe myself as such.. id say im very good at what i do, but just making a point).

I don't know any experts who would describe themselves as that though, which is a shame because then those who DO use the term in describing themselves are generally not... and so the word ends up meaning 'someone who thinks they know a lot and thinks they are right, though likely, they are not'.

And that is a shame, because then you lose a label identifying people who are effectively, an incredibly useful resource for information.

Well i must bow down to the experts on here, after breeding/owning many CH over the years i would never label myself as any kind of expert or would liked to be labeled as one!

well put Debs,,  I would say from reading post over the last
few years on C/D  there are a good few KNOLEGABLE people
on this site,
who contribute some sensible answers to visitors questions.
A lot of the answers are just common sense to some, But
Common sense is not that common today  ,
Will  come and watch you working on Sunday,  got aBorzoi
entered but she is full in her season.  so will do a little looking
I have to trimm  a Norwich from Holland for a friend first thing.
Garry

Will  come and watch you working on Sunday,  got aBorzoi entered but she is full in her season.  so will do a little looking

Please do come and introduce yourself!  I like putting names to faces :-D

The only dogs that I'd consider myself an expert on are my own! :-D

I'd agree with that whole heartedly. Just by looking at the way he's sniffing at something or the way he looks at me, i know exactly what Freddie wants. Like wise he knows when i want a cuddle or am in a silly mood and want to play. :-)

Hmmm

If an expert is one who has learned all there is to know about a subject, then an EXPERT must be a DEAD person :-D :-D  

I don't believe anyone can ever say they have learned all there is to know about any subject - especially animals - there is always something new to observe/learn.

Me?  Definately not an expert, I have some knowledge about dogs in general and my breed in particular, but am a student - not a master :-D :-D 

If an expert is one who has learned all there is to know about a subject, then an EXPERT must be a DEAD person

LOL! I like it :-D  But that's just what I'm saying.  NOWHERE in the definition of expert does it say, or even imply!, that an expert has learned all there is to know.  It just means someone with specialist knowledge, training and experience.

Debs

The only dogs that I'd consider myself an expert on are my own!

Ditto. :-)