I was at my 2nd show on Sunday and got 3rd in my breed junior class and reserve in AV Minor Puppy.

I was pleased in one way that the judge placed me but to be honest I'm not sure I will show under that judge again. He was (in my opinion and others) quite rough with my 6mth pup, he never asked his age, pushed down really hard on his back forcing Harris to sit down, this also gave him a bit of a fright, he then shoved his hand underneath Harris to check he had 2 testicles, was quite obviously rough as Harris jumped out of his reach (Harris is normally pretty good). The judge then commented that his testicles were small and asked when they had dropped! The inexperience in me just answered the judges questions by telling him they had been dropped for a while, I now realise I should have said he was only 6 months old. The judge then continued to try and pull Harris back up to standing but by this point Harris was feared of him and just completely jumped out of his reach.

I wanted to say to the judge, I'll stand him again for you, I would then be able to calm Harris down but bearing in mind the rules of not speaking to the judge until spoken to I felt stuck but also annoyed. The judge asked me to run him up and down etc. and then I went back into line. This all happened in the junior class so when I entered the AV MP class under the same judge thankfully he didn't go over him again although he did stand behind him to take another look and Harris turned his head to eye ball him. The show was also in the middle of a very lumpy crosscountry field with the wind blowing and airplanes flying low although Harris seemed to take all this in his stride apart from sniffing everywhere and munching the grass :rolleyes:

I would be grateful with your thoughts and comments on my experience. What would you have done etc?

Thank You!

Well done on your award Claire :-)

Unfortunately there are judges out there that treat the dogs under them in such a way.With time and experience you will learn that the dog on the end of the lead is YOUR DOG and that if you are not happy with the way that the judge is treating your dog ....you tell them ! Take control if that situation arises again. You felt that you wanted to re~stand the dog for the judge, but hesitated.Next time you will be ready and able to jump in and take control. :-)

Try not to let this experience put you or Harris off. There are plenty of kind and considerate judges out there. You just have to learn which judges to avoid !

Leigh xx

Hi Claire
Well done on the award. Leigh is right, don't let it put you off. Have the confidence to talk to a judge. I've shown a bitch that was due in season any minute and asked the judge to be gentle over her rear because of that. They don't mind and most will oblige. Unfortunately there are a few that can be rough. Touch wood so far I haven't had any that have been rough with my pup and she is now taking it all in her stride ( in fact she is probably over confident and behaves like a bag ;) ).
See you at SKC
Siobhan

Thanks again you two :-)

When Harris started to get nervous and I felt I wanted to stand him again so the judge could go over him should I at that point have spoken to the judge and said I'll stand him again for you. It never ocurred to me to speak to the judget prior to him going over Harris as so far at shows and ringcraft I have had no problems with him. I'm probably over concerned in breaking these damn rules of not speaking to the judge until spoken to :rolleyes:

See you at SKC Siobhan will look out for your number in the catalogue make sure you and Claire keep your numbers on for a period of time until I find you and I'll do the same.