Becoming A Judge

[poodlefan]

I'd be interested if one of the criteria wasn't having bred a number of litters - 3 I think? I don't want to be a breeder, therefore I cannot be a judge.

x 2

Personally I think allowing non-breeder judges would be a good thing.

Edited December 5, 2010 by poodlefan

[whippets]

Eventually I might get a license for whippets but not particularly interested in group or all breeds.

[Lowenhart]

I have my license for Toys and have sat lectures/exams for Hounds and currently going through Non-Sporting.

I found when I handled in other breeds and discussed what the breed was supposed to be like, I learnt a lot about my own breeds.

So I took it one further.

I find all the requirements quite challenging, especially stewarding/writing 12 times a year.

As a judge in training, I find there is an expectation that I only do dog stuff and am available every weekend. Each year more requirements are added, and sometimes I think something has got to give. I try to keep my dog stuff in balance with the rest of my life but it is difficult.

[RoxyNHemi]

I like being on the other end of the lead... Dont have any intention of becoming a judge....

[Tenties]

I want to become a judge of my own Breed first, then Grp 2.....i hear so much shite about our breed from different ones...the breed is getting off track thank's to a few who are pushing their own barrow...

I was to enter the Judges Scheme 4 yrs ago but got very ill and landed in Hospital for 3 Mths so havent been able to do it....will be having some eye ops soon' so who know's, if all goes well i may get to do it still..

[WreckitWhippet]

I'm considering it but as a country candidate, the costs to travel are high. I'd have to give up exhibiting for the duration , which I can't quite bring myself to do yet.

Country candidates do not have to attend the breed lectures, though it is advantageous to do so, if possible...

That's the thing

[Ceilidh]

You know RSG, when you go to the lectures you sign in and that is all that says you attended. I think it is far better to do essays, it makes you research the breed and understand it more. I have applied to enter the judges training scheme for 2011. The BOD is sitting on Wed and will decide on applications so hopefully I will know soon. I have already started the essays (getting a head start just in case) and am enjoying it. I intend to try and get to a couple of lectures but really don't think it matters, learning wise, if I don't.

Tenties, given there are so few of your breed around would it be worth just doing Tenties? Do you have specialties and Nationals around Australia?

[WreckitWhippet]

I would appreciate the "hands on"

[Ceilidh]

You get your hands on at field days, open shows and doing your critiques, not at the lectures.

[pebbles]

I had a couple of licences for some years but due to a back injury and finding standing for too long wasn't good, I gave up.

I enjoyed judging, some of the lectures were a waste of 4 hours travelling, found that talking to breeders/showies and observation was much better. And you find out who your true friends are when they show under you

[mirawee]

You get your hands on at field days, open shows and doing your critiques, not at the lectures.

If that is the case why do I make the long drive down to my breed's lecture nights with a full car of dogs after rushing home from work? Well besides the fact that I tend to get dobbed in to actually give the lecture

I have no desire to be a dog breed judge (although would consider agility judging). Mainly due to lack of time and if I was going to start judging anything seriously the horses would get preference. I am not committed to dog showing enough to even bother showing my own dogs that regularly now that they are titled.

[Tenties]

Tenties, given there are so few of your breed around would it be worth just doing Tenties? Do you have specialties and Nationals around Australia?

Sorry, i did try to reply the other day , but i have such a crappy signal here it just wouldnt load the page....

Yes, we do have Specialities for the breed and last year was the first National for the breed which the Victorian Club got to hold , but the breed has got out of hand now because of a squeeky barrow we have a number of different types emerging because of this, i'd like to get a bit of uniformity back....i am a tail set guru , if i can call myself that and i wonder what they teach judges about this as some argue that the tail carried over the back is ok ( the standard says NO to this ) even in the bobs if the tail curves over the back, THIS IS WRONG.... if the dog had a bloody tail it would curl over the back and hang down the side sorry getting carried away i dont know if i could keep my mouth shut at Judges training if they tried to pass faults off as ok i know of others who got held back when they stuck to their guns on faults, it was a case of trainers way or the highway which was wrong, so in affect all judges have to do it one way then revert to their own way of thinking after the exam ?? ...sorry ranting again, cant help mysef today

[Ceilidh]

Well received my acceptance into the Judges Training Scheme, first exam on 28 Jan. Now the hard work starts!

[poodlefan]

Well received my acceptance into the Judges Training Scheme, first exam on 28 Jan. Now the hard work starts!

When do I need to start being nice® to you?

[Bullbreedlover]

Well received my acceptance into the Judges Training Scheme, first exam on 28 Jan. Now the hard work starts!

Well done

I have been judging for 15 years now and thoroughly enjoy it.

[Ceilidh]

Thanks! PF, you ALWAYS have to be nice to me if you want Finn to play nice with Howie Oh wait, now I know what you mean, but, er, when did you get a gundog?

[Mandalay]

Well received my acceptance into the Judges Training Scheme, first exam on 28 Jan. Now the hard work starts!

Well done Ceilidh on your acceptance and I wish you all the luck with furture exams........

[Trisven13]

Congrats Ceilidh!!!! I've got a rare breed for you to get your hands on should you need it

[Ceilidh]

Sorry Trish but that one isn't a gundog either

[ingrid]

Well received my acceptance into the Judges Training Scheme, first exam on 28 Jan. Now the hard work starts!

well done you will learn heaps. I started with my group first gundogs and really enjoyed it because you learn lots about all the breeds. I have since done hounds because like gundogs they are the ones I like most. I grew up with gundogs both show and field and I think learning about what dogs were bred for and what makes up their characteristics (esp if from other breeds) is absolutely fascinating. I spend hours researching the history and watching them at work to understand what the originators of the breeds were after. (There are some hilarious videos of working ibizan hounds but you will never forget what these dogs should look like after watching them.) This makes it much easier to decide which dogs best fit the standard when you are judging. someone showed me an excellent video on a breed lecture about cockers and americans and the differences and that was fantastic. Its made me reconsider though whether I would be an all breeds judge rather than a specialist because I would prefer to be known as someone who really understood a couple of groups really well than tried to remember everything about 7 groups. I always try and ask breed specialists what they consider the most important thing in their breed because it helps to identify where breeds may no longer be as in line with the standards but are being bred for the generalist show dog look or following fads. Pass or fail you will learn heaps so it is a good exercise to go through. And right from the start you need to decide whether you will be an honest judge or a face judge. Personally I would prefer to be an honest judge and make an honest mistake in my choices through inexperience or some moment of sheer panic than lose my integrity.