Kyle@theWintertime
Well-known member
This is a VERY good article about the ins and outs of AKC stupidity: http://throwingoutthefatclothes.blogspo ... ation.html
I love dogs...I have built my career around them...they are more than just a huge part of my life, they ARE, in many ways, my life. I also love dog shows and the amazing beauty of purebred dogs. My issues are the people...people who want to win at all costs and don't actually care about their dog(s). I have been appalled at some of the practices I've heard of and, in some cases, SEEN WITH MY OWN EYES.
What gets me is how it is perpetuated. If all judges decided to actually judge THE DOG, it would change the face of the AKC. Notice that no judge will EVER run their fingers through a Poodle's topknot...they might dislodge the wiggie. If every judge did that, instead of accepting the wiggie as normal, then we'd see a different Poodle altogether.
What REALLY gets my dander up is how political some breeds are. I plan to have a pair of little showdogs some day, a Sheltie and a Cardigan Corgi. I have the breeders all lined up, plans are made. I've even lined up a handler because no way in heck will I EVER be able to show a Sheltie. Shetland Sheepdogs are EXTREMELY political, if you don't know the right people it doesn't matter how good your dog is, they won't place or win.
Afghans are somewhat political but slightly less so, for a very practical reason: unless the dog lives with the handler, most Afghans won't show for anyone but their One Favorite Human. Now...in the upper-crust of the dog show world, that's no biggie as dogs that are heavily campaigned often do live with their handlers most of the time, but...I've seen more sighthounds shown by owners and breeders in local shows because the dogs won't "turn on" for just anyone, and an Afghan slinking around the ring with his tail between his legs will NOT win, no matter who holds the leash.
But I've genuinely resigned myself to dog showing as a hobby only...which means I can afford to be an elitist jerk and REFUSE to dye or alter my dog in any way. I'll be in it for the fun, and so I'm okay with rarely placing or winning. Besides, you never know! A gal I know had a very fine Smooth Collie who she refused to alter for the ring, and last summer took a Best Opposite Sex award for her breed.
As to the original post...I don't think the taped quarters is an effective way of dealing with poppy-upish ears on Hollands, sounds like an amateur who maybe doesn't know what they are doing? Frankly it was one of the things that has drawn me to the idea of rabbit showing...judge + bunny = evaluation, no handler really involved. I'm sure it has some nasty politics somewhere but I've yet to experience it.
I love dogs...I have built my career around them...they are more than just a huge part of my life, they ARE, in many ways, my life. I also love dog shows and the amazing beauty of purebred dogs. My issues are the people...people who want to win at all costs and don't actually care about their dog(s). I have been appalled at some of the practices I've heard of and, in some cases, SEEN WITH MY OWN EYES.
What gets me is how it is perpetuated. If all judges decided to actually judge THE DOG, it would change the face of the AKC. Notice that no judge will EVER run their fingers through a Poodle's topknot...they might dislodge the wiggie. If every judge did that, instead of accepting the wiggie as normal, then we'd see a different Poodle altogether.
What REALLY gets my dander up is how political some breeds are. I plan to have a pair of little showdogs some day, a Sheltie and a Cardigan Corgi. I have the breeders all lined up, plans are made. I've even lined up a handler because no way in heck will I EVER be able to show a Sheltie. Shetland Sheepdogs are EXTREMELY political, if you don't know the right people it doesn't matter how good your dog is, they won't place or win.
Afghans are somewhat political but slightly less so, for a very practical reason: unless the dog lives with the handler, most Afghans won't show for anyone but their One Favorite Human. Now...in the upper-crust of the dog show world, that's no biggie as dogs that are heavily campaigned often do live with their handlers most of the time, but...I've seen more sighthounds shown by owners and breeders in local shows because the dogs won't "turn on" for just anyone, and an Afghan slinking around the ring with his tail between his legs will NOT win, no matter who holds the leash.
But I've genuinely resigned myself to dog showing as a hobby only...which means I can afford to be an elitist jerk and REFUSE to dye or alter my dog in any way.
I'll be in it for the fun, and so I'm okay with rarely placing or winning. Besides, you never know! A gal I know had a very fine Smooth Collie who she refused to alter for the ring, and last summer took a Best Opposite Sex award for her breed. As to the original post...I don't think the taped quarters is an effective way of dealing with poppy-upish ears on Hollands, sounds like an amateur who maybe doesn't know what they are doing? Frankly it was one of the things that has drawn me to the idea of rabbit showing...judge + bunny = evaluation, no handler really involved.
I'm sure it has some nasty politics somewhere but I've yet to experience it. 
