POINT/COUNTERPOINT
TOPIC
OF THE
MONTH
Would you ever be in favor of a limit
imposed on the number of shows a
dog could attend in a year?
BREEDER-EXHIBITOR
Cindy Cooke
On the plus side, it might level the playing fi eld slightly for the owner-handler
who can only show on weekends, but I see many more problems: 1. It would
effectively kill the National Owner-Handled Series program. 2. It would reduce
owner-handler participation since most only have a single special. Once the lim-
it is reached, that exhibitor has to sit home for the rest of the year. 3. Reduced
participation by even a small number of owner-handlers might be the last straw
for small all-breed clubs that are already struggling. 4. With a limit on the num-
ber of shows where a special may be exhibited, I suspect most exhibitors will
choose the bigger shows where they can pick up bigger numbers. This would be
another blow to the smaller and sometimes less prestigious shows, especially those
with less desirable show sites. 5. There would be signifi cantly fewer opportunities for
spectators and exhibitors to see the t op specials.
PROFESSIONAL HANDLER
Arvind DeBraganca
How do you impose a limit? Some dogs are naturals and have the ability to go
like the Energizer Bunny. They thrive weekend after weekend. Others not so
much. Not every handler can condition and maintain a dog for strenuous and
intense campaigns, but many can and do so successfully. I think it is up to the
owner and handler to work in tandem and do what is best for their charge. How
would one even defi ne the parameters of the limits to be imposed? No, it is a
personal decision to be made by the team involved with each individual dog.
JUDGE
Elaine Lessig
The word LIMIT in the dog world has so many negative connotations. The entry of
a dog show or performance event can be limited to a specifi c number or breeds.
In other shows, a dog must be a champion or have a major win as a requirement
to place an entry. Breeders can only breed a limited number of litters each year
in certain areas. There may also be a specifi c limit to the number of dogs that
reside in a single household according to a local ordinance or a state law.
The very idea of limiting the number of dog shows at which a dog may be
exhibited brings a similar response as other efforts to impose restrictions on
the fancy do: “Why?” In our ever-contracting world, “Why” do we need more
diminution? Let’s just use common sense instead! DIR
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