In your experience , is the average exhibitor today more knowledgeable or less knowledgeable about breed standards , canine structure , and gait than he / she was 10 years ago ? Why do you think that ’ s the case ?
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In your experience , is the average exhibitor today more knowledgeable or less knowledgeable about breed standards , canine structure , and gait than he / she was 10 years ago ? Why do you think that ’ s the case ?
BREEDER-EXHIBITOR Cindy Cooke As a general rule , I would say that , in Scottish Terriers , exhibitors are generally less knowledgeable than when I first started almost 40 years ago . For one thing , fewer exhibitors today come from a rural or agricultural background where they might have been exposed to general principles of animal husbandry and the relationship between animal function and structure . Another factor is that , while there are a multitude of books on the Scottish Terrier where exhibitors could learn the basics , almost all of those books are now out of print . ( Perhaps AKC could work out a deal with Amazon to get old dog books into Kindle format .) Sadly , the biggest reason that exhibitors are uninformed is that , as the quality of competition declines , exhibitors can be successful without an in-depth understanding of the breed standard so there ’ s no motivation to learn more .
PROFESSIONAL HANDLER Arvind DeBraganca Today ’ s average exhibitor is less knowledgeable .
Our current mood in the sport is to get the win , get the ribbon , or achieve the accolade . A rare few want to actually learn purpose , type , style , history , and husbandry . Since everyone gets a participation reward , it makes everything diluted and less relevant .
To cry , bleed , worry , think , struggle , hope , and develop is what makes great dog men and women . The essence and purpose of dogs has grievously become diluted , and there is no quick fix .
JUDGE Elaine Lessig When I was in high school , classmates often read the “ Cliffs Notes ” rather than the assigned book . It allowed them to have a general idea of the plot , answer some of the teacher ’ s questions , and , hopefully , pass the test . I see that same short-cut mentality creeping into the ring . Knowledgeable exhibitors are outnumbered by those who lack the knowledge gained by studying the breed standard . Recently , I disqualified a dog for an incorrect bite . I took time to show what was wrong , quote the standard , and explain the form . What I got was a blank stare . I asked the exhibitor to wait for me while I completed judging . Next , I actually read the words in the standard , which described the disqualifying fault , with the exhibitor . What I heard next was , “ I had no idea .” Sadly , the dog I disqualified was shown in the Bred-by-Exhibitor class . DIR
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