Hi everyone,
I'm fairly new to showing in Ireland and I was wondering how people rate judges who mark them poorly (for whatever reason).
Is there someplace that gives us an idea of what Judges look for,cos I hear lots of people at shows saying "they wouldn't enter under certain Judges".
Is this just experience?

regards
Brenda

Hi Brenda, yes it is experience of the judge that tells you what the result is likely to be but there is always a chance of a surprise because you never know who else will be in the ring with you. However hard you try as a judge to be impartial you own idea of what makes a good example of the breed is bound to be coloured by you own experience. And, of course, you do get a few judges who are thinking more about the handler than the exhibit.

If you are new to the ring I would not bother about if the judge will like you or not, give it a go anyway, there is only one thing certain in the show ring, if you are not there you can't win. The best win I have ever had was under a judge that I was sure would not like my exhibit, but I guess when it came to it the other exhibits pleased him less than mine and so even if you think the judge will not place you there could be a pleasant surprise.

Brenda
I have been showing for  3 years now and am only just beginning to 'learn' SOME of the judges.However I tend to choose to do shows and not judges as I am limmited to the distance I can travel(about 2 hours drive) and hence I will do any show with in that distance reguardless of judge.
I went under a judge at Birmingham National this year who had judged one of my boys before(as a puppy) and who had thrown him out of a class of 6...ie placed him last.We went expecting Asa to be down the line again as I thought that he wasn't her type but he placed 2nd in Limit so we were pleased.
I tend to ask my boys breeders about the judge if I am undecided about a show but otherwise its pot luck...after all we go as much for the day out as for anything else so winning is a bonus
Archer

<<<Is there someplace that gives us an idea of what Judges look for,cos I hear lots of people at shows saying "they wouldn't enter under certain Judges".>>>

In some breeds there can be a bit of variance in dogs even though they may all fit the breed standard.

In SBTs for example some judges may be felt to favour a certain colour or a certain look- athletic or bully etc

There should be a breed standard for all breeds and this is what the judge should take into consideration when placing dogs in front of him :)

I'm showing about 1.5 yrs and we have started to win in the past 6 mths or so.But it was ironic that at a show a few wks ago we beat a bitch in the class and went on to get GS bitch beating 4 others in the line up and then the following week we got 5th of of 5 bitches (same ones we had beaten the previous wk).
The particular judge who placed us last - we showed under her last yr and she never even glanced in our direction either.All we could do was laugh at the kick in the rear we received.

However the breed standard for our type of working dog has evolved recently and our girl would be the older model,today's are a lot smaller and lighter.All lovely dogs in fairness and I have no problem being beaten by any of them,but in Ireland judges do not critique the dogs - which is a great shame as then at least you get to know what judges like and dislike - therefore giving you a chance to decide to enter or not under a certain judge.

I will not enter again under that judge as I believe twice being kicked out is enough.I gave the judge the benefit of the doubt once and decided to try again as the bitch is a lot older now and we have gained more experience in showing.

Then at another show we came under a female judge who we had not met before and she placed us last also,afterwards I was talking in a group of exhibitors and we got talking to each other.She discovered I am involved in rescue (not of our breed) and got a chatty and then made the remark,"well I must keep an eye out for you in future".She was from NI and all the other exhibitors in our class were from NI while we were the only Southern people showing that day.

Strange I know but some other show people have said it is because we are still new to showing and our faces are not yet known.

Ah well,that's life I suppose!

Thanks
Brenda

There are judges known as face pickers - I suppose this happens across most breeds
but I have also seen dogs handled by new "showers" who have beat "faces" under  supposed "face pickers"

Dont take showing too seriously :)

Hi,Lel . I agree , (dont take it too seriously) i am just starting showing again after a long break in the ring, used to show Irish Setters, now totally new breed for me ...staffs, so i am  on a learnig curve at the moment!! eek! totally different to show, but the few shows i have been to, i have really enjoyed, the people have been v, friendly and helpfull, and on hand with good advice, THANK YOU. so i look at it as a social event and meeting new people with the same interests, and as we all know ,no matter what breed , we all love our dogs and think they are the best!! :-) :-)