Heres a question for you all which I just had a discussion with Val about.
Supposing you were Judging at a great occasion like Crufts (or any big show) and you had to pick Best of Breed,you had two great dogs but one was far superior,but the handler of the less quality exhibit was dressed a lot smarter than the other,and it would be on television all over the world,( when they reached the big ring)which would you choose? Would the dress of the handler affect your decision at all? Im asking for honest answers here :)
For Myself I wouldnt care what the handler was wearing I would asses the dog Only, although I can never understand people spending hours,days even preparing a dog for a show and themselves turning up in Jeans & trainers.The bset dog would go through.
Just a thought for monday LOL

I always laugh when I see a competitor on Crufts who looks like they have just stepped out of a salon :) I think you should try and wear something that is complimentary to your breed but does NOT detract from it ...but I could be wrong.

Jeans and T Shirt just seem to say you have put no effort in at all (Speaking as a jeans and T shirt gal here)...and maybe if you look too scruffy , the judge will take more notice of you than the dog .

A happy medium I think .....God knows what that is though :D (no smarty pants saying Doris Stokes on Valium please)

Melody

I'd like to think I'd choose the best dog but I think I'd feel sorry for the other one as the lady would have put more effort in so I can't really say either way You're right about asking the dodgy question on a Monday morning. As for the part on how to dress at a show- there was recently an article in the GSD mag regarding this- and on Saturday at the show I attended I realised exactly what they were saying- the couple who's dog and biitch both took the CC were dressed rather scruffy- the lady had the neckline ripped off her jumper etc- I know it shouldn't really matter but if it was me I'd like to dress a bit nicer especially for the photo with me and my dog;) I agree with Melody- a medium;) probably a nice white blouse and a plain pair of black trousers?

Stacey x x x

As for Doris Stokes- now there's a blast from the past- jogged some memory:)

Mentioning Doris Stokes does anyone have a copy of her poem 'In a baby castle'

Mattie when I judge I hardly look at the handler at all.
I know everyone personally and as theres only two tickets to give I cant please them all :).
I just keep my head down lol :) and concentrate on the dogs .
When making my final decision I do look, and then I think I wish that person was more suitably dressed but I wont penalise the dog for it .

Hi all, It would be the best dog that I would go for, without a doubt!! Smartness is the best obviously, but I look at it that I am there to judge the dog, not who looks the smartest. If the exhibitor cannot be bothered to make an effort, it is there own fault if they dont look the part on TV!!

I would think if an obvious difference in quality of the dogs the best SHOULD win whatever the handler is wearing so like you Mattie I'd go for the best dog.

If the dogs were fairly evenly matched though I would imagine that is when the handlers appearance could make the most difference and be the deciding factor. The handler shouldn't really be considered in it at all but I'm sure if I ever judged and I'm honest about it and it was close match between the dogs, a "well groomed" handler over a sloppy one would probably get my vote.

Sara :)

If I was influenced by the owner's dress it would probably be in favour of the one that wasn't tricked out like a birthday cake :-)

If you stopped me as I walked out of the ring and asked I would not have a clue what anyone was wearing, but then again I may not even if I'd just had lunch with them. :) JH

Oh by the way, don't suggest black trousers if your showing Elkhounds nor white if it comes to it.

I know a judge who judged the dogs at Crufts this year and not the dress sense. Don't get me wrong, my friend wasn't scruffy or anything but let's put it this way she never in her wildest dreams expected to win best of breed at other champ shows never mind at Crufts and she's done brilliantly ever since. Not only did she not pick the person in the nicest suite but she picked a dog that had not won at this level before, although we all love her. The write up by the judge was lovely and the win well deserved, shame it hadn't happened earlier.

I know she comes onto this site and she'll call me a cheaky devil. See you on Wednesday!!!

there should be no question about it-you're there to judge the dogs , not who or how!!!!like marie i agree i hardly see the handler- i really dont care who has the dog in, it wouldnt sway me one way or the other,--its a DOG SHOW , not a beauty contest, --thank goodness