Is This Common In The Show Scene?

[LisaCC]

Im not in the show ring scene in the slightest (Maybe one day in the far future), but I have recently been to a few shows looking for breeders.

At two separate shows I have had women who I think are called the secretaries (The ladies that sell the programs etc) tell me to specifically stay away from certain people in the breed.

Everyone was very helpful and pointed me in the right direction.

One instance the two ladies seemed to be genuinely worried about the behaviour of the dogs from one breeder.

The other instance involved a lady going through the list of breeders and stopping at one, said who they were and then said 'Oh no not her, you know her bitch snapped at my dog once' her and a second lady then laughed quite a bit. The breeder in question was actually near us and was quickly pointed out and I got a 'Stay away from that one'.

This actually seemed quite malicious with all the laughing.

I was wondering if this was common knowledge that this is happening at shows?

I appreciate that people are giving opinions if they are warranted, but I can't help but feel some people may just have grudges.

Also I can imagine this being more common within exhibitors if some are upset about losing or something, but I was a little shocked it was coming from the secretaries who seemed like very nice ladies.

Edited October 31, 2012 by LisaCC

[Nevafollo]

There's a lot of bitches ( not of the female dog type) and a heck of a lot of bitching at dog shows!!! But if u have a good bullshit radar talk to everyone and get a feeling for who's who yourself !!!

[Tralee]

You should be able to tell what is sensible criticism about a breeder's dogs and what is just simply the person being a bitch.

It is also beneficial, if you are looking at getting a dog, to source a breeder who you can establish a good relationship with, so that you and your dog can have continued support and communication.

I am not sure whether I would be taking a dog from one of those secretaries.

They should know better, anyway.

[SkySoaringMagpie]

Like anything where events are run and staffed by volunteers, sometimes you get people who are not necessarily a good fit for public contact positions or people who might do better if they read their guidance material (we are all required under our membership rules to "play nice"). Dogs shows are not unique in this respect tho' - you'll find bitching everywhere in life.

From my observation both behind and in front of the desk, this sort of thing from an official to someone they don't know personally is unusual. Most people who get an inquiry about pups of a certain breed from the GP will either direct you to DOL, direct you to the official phone number for the canine control who will direct people to breeders, or direct you to someone on the grounds who they think might be helpful. Most people keep quiet about people they wouldn't recommend when speaking to someone they don't know because the rules require us not to bag out other breeders/exhibitors.

I don't recommend people go to dog shows "cold" to find breeders as a general rule for a range of reasons UNLESS they have someone with them who knows who is who in the zoo and can guide them. Even then you might be missing the right breeder for you because they are not showing in your area or they are not showing because they have a litter on the ground etc etc.

[SkySoaringMagpie]

There's a lot of bitches ( not of the female dog type) and a heck of a lot of bitching at dog shows!!! But if u have a good bullshit radar talk to everyone and get a feeling for who's who yourself !!!

There is certainly a lot of bitching, but I think usually officials keep it clean with newbies. At least, in my experience most do.

[Dame Aussie]

This is why I have never got into it, it seems far too bitchy for me :laugh:

[Salukifan]

This is why I have never got into it, it seems far too bitchy for me :laugh:

It's also a great day out with friends who share your passion for dogs. It simply comes down to who you choose to associate with

There are toxic types whenever there is competition. Whether you decide to let them colour your experience of the show ring is up to you. All I can say is don't knock it till you've tried it.

Edited October 31, 2012 by Haredown Whippets

[Dame Aussie]

This is why I have never got into it, it seems far too bitchy for me :laugh:

It's also a great day out with friends who share your passion for dogs. It simply comes down to who you choose to associate with

There are toxic types whenever there is competition. Whether you decide to let them colour your experience of the show ring is up to you. All I can say is don't knock it till you've tried it.

I wasn't meaning to "knock it". Of course it can be a great day out. Just saying that it doesn't interest me due to some of the things I've heard from people who are involved.

[Salukifan]

This is why I have never got into it, it seems far too bitchy for me :laugh:

It's also a great day out with friends who share your passion for dogs. It simply comes down to who you choose to associate with

There are toxic types whenever there is competition. Whether you decide to let them colour your experience of the show ring is up to you. All I can say is don't knock it till you've tried it.

I wasn't meaning to "knock it". Of course it can be a great day out. Just saying that it doesn't interest me due to some of the things I've heard from people who are involved.

Pity you hadn't heard more positive things then. I've made some fabulous friends and learned a he'll of a lot about dogs from my involvement. I hate to hear of people turned off by those who paint it so blackly when frankly it's sometimes how those people choose to approach showing that colours their view.

[RallyValley]

This is why I have never got into it, it seems far too bitchy for me :laugh:

It's also a great day out with friends who share your passion for dogs. It simply comes down to who you choose to associate with

There are toxic types whenever there is competition. Whether you decide to let them colour your experience of the show ring is up to you. All I can say is don't knock it till you've tried it.

I wasn't meaning to "knock it". Of course it can be a great day out. Just saying that it doesn't interest me due to some of the things I've heard from people who are involved.

I've witnessed more bitchiness at other sports then I ever have at showing

LisaCC these people think they are doing you a favour. I know that if there was a dog I had seen being aggressive at shows and one of my friends wanted a dog in that breed I would discretely warn them. They may have gone about it the wrong way but I actually think they may have done you a kindness - I know I wouldn't have the guts to tell a stranger something like that. Imagine if they had said nothing at all and you ended up with a pup with DA issues and then later found out 'everyone' knew the dam was DA? Wouldn't you feel more put out then a warning beforehand?

[Dame Aussie]

This is why I have never got into it, it seems far too bitchy for me :laugh:

It's also a great day out with friends who share your passion for dogs. It simply comes down to who you choose to associate with

There are toxic types whenever there is competition. Whether you decide to let them colour your experience of the show ring is up to you. All I can say is don't knock it till you've tried it.

I wasn't meaning to "knock it". Of course it can be a great day out. Just saying that it doesn't interest me due to some of the things I've heard from people who are involved.

I've witnessed more bitchiness at other sports then I ever have at showing

LisaCC these people think they are doing you a favour. I know that if there was a dog I had seen being aggressive at shows and one of my friends wanted a dog in that breed I would discretely warn them. They may have gone about it the wrong way but I actually think they may have done you a kindness - I know I wouldn't have the guts to tell a stranger something like that. Imagine if they had said nothing at all and you ended up with a pup with DA issues and then later found out 'everyone' knew the dam was DA? Wouldn't you feel more put out then a warning beforehand?

I don't doubt it, that's why I'm not involved in anything competitive.

[Guest donatella]

This is why I have never got into it, it seems far too bitchy for me :laugh:

I actually went looking into getting a show dog as my second dog until I did a bit of research and dug a bit deeper and got talking to breeders and realised just how bitchy it was (well in the Pom world at least).

People don't want to know you unless you have a dog that titles. One well known breeder has received death threats in the past, its very cliquey

I decided that a nice pet home would be good enough for me, I don't think I could handle all that drama.

[Salukifan]

Well I will say one thing about showing. If you have a thin skin and are low on determination. It's probably not for you.

[Guest donatella]

I was going to do it as a hobby on the side of full time work for a bit of fun but the show ring is definite serious business for some. I am happy to leave it to the pro's and admire from the side lines

[Are You Serious Jo]

Showing is what you make it, you go out to have fun and meet nice people you will. You treat the tossers the same way you do tossers in any other area of your life, ignore and go about your day.

[Salukifan]

I was going to do it as a hobby on the side of full time work for a bit of fun but the show ring is definite serious business for some. I am happy to leave it to the pro's and admire from the side lines

There are heaps on one dog owner, non-breeders in the ring around here. I should know, I'm only showing one dog. Very few "pros" in our show ring in this country. Nearly everyone does it as a hobby.

From where I sit, the less else you have in your life, the more invested you are in your dogs' results. Most of the folk I know are pretty philosphical about the whole thing.

Edited October 31, 2012 by Haredown Whippets

[Bjelkier]

This is why I have never got into it, it seems far too bitchy for me :laugh:

It's also a great day out with friends who share your passion for dogs. It simply comes down to who you choose to associate with

There are toxic types whenever there is competition. Whether you decide to let them colour your experience of the show ring is up to you. All I can say is don't knock it till you've tried it.

I wasn't meaning to "knock it". Of course it can be a great day out. Just saying that it doesn't interest me due to some of the things I've heard from people who are involved.

Pity you hadn't heard more positive things then. I've made some fabulous friends and learned a he'll of a lot about dogs from my involvement. I hate to hear of people turned off by those who paint it so blackly when frankly it's sometimes how those people choose to approach showing that colours their view.

So have I.

Last weekend I had a fantastic time catching up with friends from Melbourne and Sydney who I never get to see.

My show 'family' are a fantastic, supportive group of people.

Edited October 31, 2012 by Bjelkier

[Salukifan]

So have I.

Last weekend I had a fantastic time catching up with friends from Melbourne and Sydney who I never get to see.

My show 'family' are a fantastic, supportive group of people.

Maybe we are just lucky in this area Bjelkier. I had a show buddy come up from Albury to do the October shows. She said she'd had the most pleasant show weekend she'd had in a long time. :)

[Tassie]

We're usually lucky down here, too HW - but as has been said, it's a matter of feeling your way round, and choosing your friends carefully. Sometimes it's fun to just sit back and watch some of the rivalries. I should say that showing is not my main or even preferred activitiy - I'm a performance person at heart.

To the OP - I think your experience was a little unusual in that comments apparently came from people officiating on the day - but it is worth scouting around for a while, with your eyes and ears open, and a large quantity of salt at hand. :)

People can get quite upset sometimes if the judge on the day prefers another type, or another dog - but as far as I'm concerned - it's the judge's opinion. I still always take the best dog home :laugh: - but it's lovely to be able to admire other beautiful dogs.

[OSoSwift]

Showing is what you make it, you go out to have fun and meet nice people you will. You treat the tossers the same way you do tossers in any other area of your life, ignore and go about your day.

This,

I have to agree with it totally. I have met some wonderful people and made sone fantastic friends through showing.

Yes I have met some bitches but I have met them in my work place, at my childrens school and various other places.

I do have a reasonably thick skin and I can be a bit stubborn so it would take more than somebody being bitchy to turn me off having a fun day out with my dog and frineds.

I also have a habit of being particularly nice to those who try to be nasty to me and that pisses them off more which in turn amuses me. I do especially if the have no idea who I am. I don't get to show often and one person really looked down their nose at me as a nobody and when I asked them a direct question pointedly turned their back and ignored me. Well I had a great time for the rest of the weekend. Not sure they did they seemed to be getting grumpier???!!!!!

But as said showing is what you make it :)

Edited November 1, 2012 by OSoSwift