What are the feelings of exhibitors between Open shows judged on the Group system and those NOT judged on the group system?
We have had discussion with the secretary, of very successful Open shows, on the merits and demrits of both systems and would like to know Y O U R thoughts on the relative merits.

Dawn

Well I much prefer the group system, you are not hanging around all day waiting to go under a judge who has not a clue about your dogs standard, at least with group you have a much better chance of the judge knowing what they are looking at.

If I have a choice between two shows that I want to go to the group one will win every time along with the one who schedules approximate times and a ring order.

Definitely group shows every time.

Especially with little brown terriers who stand very little chance against flashy breeds.

I would much rather compete against other terriers and get a result, rather than to stand in a Best in Show ring for ages trying to keep the dog from flagging. Think that is more so if I am showing a puppy, If it is a non group show it would be quite likely that I would leave after the breed rather than putting the pup through that at the end of a long day.

Yeah definitely the group system , cuts the day down for most people and also I think more people stay to represent their breed if they know that they aren't going to be hanging around for ages :)
Tracey

Agree totally with Jackie H
Clive

I suppose awith the new Show Certificate of Merit awared most shows will become judged on the Group system.

I must be the odd one out as I prefer non group shows, as there is more atmosphere at the end, with more folk staying for BIS.

When I got RBIS last year, we were waiting for the last Group to be judged, rings were being dismantled, stall holders packing up, and just the winners left. Bit of a damp squib really!

Hi, Group system everytime, given the chance. Especially with pups. They can get so tired/bored in a non group BPIS line up - and if you get BOB too the poor babe has to go through the whole thing twice!
bye
Gwen

The show secretary concerned insists his members prefer non-group shows - I know he hasn't asked them though as I am a member and haven't been asked !!

His personal argument is that is gives a decent end to the day with upwards of 30 dogs challenging for BIS whereas at a 'group' show only 7 dogs will be present (if none of them have gone home). One cannot argue with this at all - he is correct.
PLUS:-
There is a financial cost to a group show which is absent from a non-group in that rosettes are needed for 1 to 4 in the group rings (ie 56 rosettes) compared with BIS RBIS & BPIS. This could make the difference between a succesful show and one that loses money.

However on my personal level I would rather be BoB and go Group 3 than sit around all day for nothing. It would encourage me to enter again at that show whereas waiting around would not encourage me at all.
Just my point of view.

Dawn