There are two really wonderful Breed Column articles in the latest AKC Gazette (December 2005)relating to judging. The first is the Yorkie column titled "Judging the Yorkie". The advice applies to all breeds. The article is by Janet Jackson of Indio, CA and she states "Pick your type and stick to it. We want predictability in our judges, just as we do in our dogs." I say Amen. Ms. Jackson also says "There will be many dogs you will judge who are wonderful specimens of the breed but will never compete in Best of Breed. Be the judge who can find them!".
Nice read and gives a perspective from a judge who really wants (and begs) judges to KNOW their breeds. The other column is the Lowchen article called "Ad Infinitum" . This was written by Alice Bixler of Summerfield, FL. Really good viewpoint on advertising and it's influence on judging. The first 2 paragraphs read; ""This is a fantastic dog," the judge told the exhibitor. "Why haven't I seen him advertised?"" ""Well," replied the exhibitor, " I figured if you knew the breed, you'd find him. And if you didn't know the breed, your opinion wouldn't be worth a damn anyway."" Another worthwhile article applying to all breeds and levels. We have to find the judges worth showing to that know and want to learn about their respective breeds and give them our entries. The other's ....well, you know...to support them is to condone what they do and don't do.
