YOU T
SAID I
A Plea for Positive
Conversation
BY WILLIAM H. (“BILLY”) MILLER
M
others, a sense of humor is always an attribute, but making
any years ago, my mentor witnessed my unwarranted
an untrue remark is not funny.
criticism of a judge. Instead of defending the judge,
Confident, successful people are almost always able to recshe began discussing the breed standard and the
ognize the virtue in a winning exhibit. The blueprint for any
merit of the winning exhibits. With little delay, the conversation
breed is somewhat subjective. Each breeder will paint with
changed. It was a valuable learning experience. My mentor was
a different palette. Knowing where your own dogs seem to
not in the winner’s ribbons that day; however, she recognized
fall short of the breed standard can be very helpful. Successthat the judge was faced with a fair entry of decent dogs. The
ful breeders look at the virtue of another winning exhibitor’s
winners were faulty in the shoulder but offered lovely overall
charge with interest. They are appreciative of the virtue dishead type. It seemed that her ability to bring the breed standard
played in the winner that might be lacking in their own line.
into the discussion had completely changed the tone. We spent
Clever handlers are able to downplay the faults of a dog and
the next hour talking about a few consistent stud dogs and their
showcase the virtue. They know where
ability to improve head type.
the competition stands tall and where
Later that day, I was reminded that I
their own exhibit might fall short. If an
would not learn anything by listening to
Confident, successful
exhibitor knows which virtues might be
a conversation that berated the compeconsidered highly desirable by a partition. I asked my mentor if she actually
people are almost
ticular judge, it allows them to make
agreed with the judging. She did not but
always able to
an educated decision. They will know
was firm in her belief that the judge had
recognize the virtue
which dog might fit the bill. So keep
done a good job. We pay for an opinion.
notes about each judge’s preferences.
We do not pay for the desired ribbon.
in a winning exhibit.
There are times when a charismatic
The next time this judge appeared in our
dog takes off and builds a show record
area, my entry was in the winner’s ribalthough it may not be an exemplary representative of the
bons. I knew exactly which dogs to enter.
breed. How does the successful exhibitor handle the discusWinning dogs are often “trashed” by competing exhibitors,
sion? Look for the virtue! What positive qualities might be
but the breed standard seems to have disappeared from disworth adding to the conversation? Avoid nasty commentary
cussion. While standing at ringside these days, we are often
about the exhibit’s handler or breeder. Don’t fuel the fire. The
subjected to unwarranted comments about successful exhibits.
breed standard should be part of any discussion.
No need to eavesdrop; the tone and volume cannot be ignored!
The negativity has reached an unparalleled level, but we
Often, the culprits are unseasoned exhibitors who, with a basic
can turn the tide. Consider the ramifications of your own reunderstanding of breed type and conformation, assume “instant
marks. Was a comment warranted? Did it serve any purpose?
expert” status. For some reason they are fearful that praising a
Was it kind? Was it humorous but at someone else’s expense?
winner will somehow deflate the quality of their own exhibits.
And in this age of social media, we must resist the urge to hit
Puppies and stud dogs owned by competitors are picked
the “send” button. Sleep on it before you post.
apart in similar fashion. This ideology is fed by their own
In most cases, there is a valid reason why some dogs are
insecurity and the need to have their efforts validated. When
consistent winners. I am well aware of the art of promotion.
compliments and congratulations are offered, they are typiI’m aware that all judges are not created equal and that some
cally riddled with backhanded digs. Taking a poke at somebreeds seem to take the lion’s share of the wins. Still, we live
o