Judging Working Ability In The Show Ring

[inan 841]

Around this time of year and on through the summer with monotonous regularity, we get the same complaints from those who have visited shows and come away unimpressed by the judges decisions. They sing the same tired old song " he/she didn't pick out working dogs".

 

Its like "Groundhog day".

 

I've done a bit of judging over the years, but I've never found the secret of how you assess a dogs working ability when it is in a show ring.

 

Perhaps those who complain ad nauseum about show ponies being made up over workers could share the secret of differentiating between the two ,and how a judge is intuitively to know that a dog is a good worker by examining him / her for a couple of minutes in a show ring.?

More importantly ,even if a judge could determine by looks alone a dogs working abilities ,should that influence his preferance when picking out his best three from the line up?

 

Lurcher Shows are about choosing the dogs with the best confirmation, movement,and condition, imo if several dogs are close in these respects temperament,and that indefinable something we call " presence" play a part in making a final decision.

 

ChalkWarren, who knows more than a fair bit about judging, said it best.

 

"Shows are for showing, nothing to do with working ability,and anyone who thinks otherwise is being extremely naive".

 

Can we agree this is so and not have these show threads degenerate into slagging matches and offers of fisti -cuffs?

[socks 32,253]

Very well put and I for one completely agree with you ........

[nothernlite 18,089]

Around this time of year and on through the summer with monotonous regularity, we get the same complaints from those who have visited shows and come away unimpressed by the judges decisions. They sing the same tired old song " he/she didn't pick out working dogs".

 

Its like "Groundhog day".

 

I've done a bit of judging over the years, but I've never found the secret of how you assess a dogs working ability when it is in a show ring.

 

Perhaps those who complain ad nauseum about show ponies being made up over workers could share the secret of differentiating between the two ,and how a judge is intuitively to know that a dog is a good worker by examining him / her for a couple of minutes in a show ring.?

More importantly ,even if a judge could determine by looks alone a dogs working abilities ,should that influence his preferance when picking out his best three from the line up?

 

Lurcher Shows are about choosing the dogs with the best confirmation, movement,and condition, imo if several dogs are close in these respects temperament,and that indefinable something we call " presence" play a part in making a final decision.

 

ChalkWarren, who knows more than a fair bit about judging, said it best.

 

"Shows are for showing, nothing to do with working ability,and anyone who thinks otherwise is being extremely naive".

 

Can we agree this is so and not have these show threads degenerate into slagging matches and offers of fisti -cuffs?

100% agree

[shaaark 10,809]

 

Around this time of year and on through the summer with monotonous regularity, we get the same complaints from those who have visited shows and come away unimpressed by the judges decisions. They sing the same tired old song " he/she didn't pick out working dogs".

 

Its like "Groundhog day".

 

I've done a bit of judging over the years, but I've never found the secret of how you assess a dogs working ability when it is in a show ring.

 

Perhaps those who complain ad nauseum about show ponies being made up over workers could share the secret of differentiating between the two ,and how a judge is intuitively to know that a dog is a good worker by examining him / her for a couple of minutes in a show ring.?

More importantly ,even if a judge could determine by looks alone a dogs working abilities ,should that influence his preferance when picking out his best three from the line up?

 

Lurcher Shows are about choosing the dogs with the best confirmation, movement,and condition, imo if several dogs are close in these respects temperament,and that indefinable something we call " presence" play a part in making a final decision.

 

ChalkWarren, who knows more than a fair bit about judging, said it best.

 

"Shows are for showing, nothing to do with working ability,and anyone who thinks otherwise is being extremely naive".

 

Can we agree this is so and not have these show threads degenerate into slagging matches and offers of fisti -cuffs?

100% agree

 

, I attend hardly any shows, and my reply to the other thread was simply down to the fact that the o p was calling people 'divs', which was at best immature. Was going to reply to his 'offer' with 'if you're going to call people names on here, you should be prepared to expect it back

Edited May 20, 2013 by shaaark

[the_stig 6,614]

suitability to work ..............

[paulus 26]

You can only judge what's in front of you, not what it might or might not do. All judging is subjective and that's why they choose judges with experience in the field there judging

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

@ Inan....

 

 

Personaly,...I think the concept of the lurcher show, has helped to improve the life of a lurcher...

 

When I visited, what was possibly the first ever show,..it wasn't up to much,.just a gathering of miscellaneous enthusiasts,..fox hunting people ,.horsey folk,.raggedy men, mouchers and downright rogues

 

Some of the dogs, were poor as crows,.and our knowledge of that most versatile of all canines,.the lurcher,..was limited,.to say the least...It really was a case of the blind,.. leading the fecking blind !

 

I remember my first Judging appointments...

 

No smart sets of mole-skins, checked shirts and waistcoats,..just camos and a Rab C Nesbitt vest

 

You frequently went in, with clean hands and came out of the ring, with greasy palms and a few fleas, crawling on your chest...Some of the Jukels had nails so long,.they resembled anteaters,..and their teeth were often caked with tarter..Not all of the entries,.of course not,..but,..the facts are, for a lurcher to win the prestigious title of canine Miss World nowadays,...it must be in good condition.

 

Dogs that are treated like shit, and dragged into the show ring on a piece of baler twine,.led around by owners that cannot give a feck,..their dog in one hand and a can of lager in the other,..do not inspire a Judge to award that coveted red rosette....

Don't get me wrong,...a top dog can look like a scruff bag,..as can its owner,.but you get my drift....

 

The show is an advert for the modern lurcher and they are best portrayed in a favourable light....

Cruel, wicked bullies, who are using the day out, to show the world what a hard man they are ,..have not moved on,..and they belong in the past...

 

I don't go to many shows these days,...I cannot bear to be in the company of folk that do not speak my language.

I am just a rabbiter,..boring as feck and I have no interest, in who has the best, the gamest or the fastest.

 

What I would like to see,..is a return to those warm Summer days, when we all sat on the sidelines, having the craic,.. and generally taking the piss out of a fellow hunting man, as he waltzed around the ring..

 

Shows are beauty contests,..nothing more and nothing less,...only one man need take the day seriously,..and for the rest of us,..the day should be about, fun, fun, fun,..OR,.c'mon now,..what is the fecking point...

 

All the best,..Chalkwarren...

Edited May 20, 2013 by CHALKWARREN

[johnny boy68 11,726]

I attend a few shows over the summer months, my 6 yr old daughter loves showing the dogs and I get to catch up with a few mates.

 

The dogs have done quite well at them if I'm honest, I work them hard over the season and I suppose doing well in a show is down to the dogs being conditioned well and that showing itself in the judging.

 

Has for looking for working ability, unless you know the dog personally you could'nt really tell 100% if the dogs a worker or not.

[boyo 1,398]

could not agree more with above topics and have argued the fact many times with many people,who still do not get it . ime with chalky on the early shows can remember over thirty year ago judging and coming out with hands stinking dirty and full of grease.the overall condition and wellbeing of the lurcher has improved tenfold over the years and a lot of this is down to the lurcher shows in general.if everyone going to a lurcher show went with the main intention being of having a good time and the craic they would enjoy it a lot more .I don't go to any shows unless I am asked to judge one but have noticed its rare nowadays to see a lurcher at a show that is not looking in good condition and well cared for which in itself has to be a good thing but going back to innans post agree totally with him I defy anyone and I mean anyone to tell me they can tell a working lurcher from a show lurcher without knowing the dog or its owner .

[johnny boy68 11,726]

could not agree more with above topics and have argued the fact many times with many people,who still do not get it . ime with chalky on the early shows can remember over thirty year ago judging and coming out with hands stinking dirty and full of grease.the overall condition and wellbeing of the lurcher has improved tenfold over the years and a lot of this is down to the lurcher shows in general.if everyone going to a lurcher show went with the main intention being of having a good time and the craic they would enjoy it a lot more .I don't go to any shows unless I am asked to judge one but have noticed its rare nowadays to see a lurcher at a show that is not looking in good condition and well cared for which in itself has to be a good thing but going back to innans post agree totally with him I defy anyone and I mean anyone to tell me they can tell a working lurcher from a show lurcher without knowing the dog or its owner .

Are you running your show again this year John? The kids enjoyed it last year and all in a good cause.

[Astanley 11,568]

Its an easy concept to grasp , its simplicity is great , turn up , catch up , have fun ,why there are still people who don,t get it puzzles me .

[Hot Meat 3,109]

Its easy. Give all the dogs a rossette the same and it will stop the petted lips. After all its only fun.

[boyo 1,398]

 

could not agree more with above topics and have argued the fact many times with many people,who still do not get it . ime with chalky on the early shows can remember over thirty year ago judging and coming out with hands stinking dirty and full of grease.the overall condition and wellbeing of the lurcher has improved tenfold over the years and a lot of this is down to the lurcher shows in general.if everyone going to a lurcher show went with the main intention being of having a good time and the craic they would enjoy it a lot more .I don't go to any shows unless I am asked to judge one but have noticed its rare nowadays to see a lurcher at a show that is not looking in good condition and well cared for which in itself has to be a good thing but going back to innans post agree totally with him I defy anyone and I mean anyone to tell me they can tell a working lurcher from a show lurcher without knowing the dog or its owner .

Are you running your show again this year John? The kids enjoyed it last year and all in a good cause.

 

it was going to be in may but postponed until later in year I think / atb .

[sowhat 1,572]

@ Inan....

 

 

Personaly,...I think the concept of the lurcher show, has helped to improve the life of a lurcher...

 

When I visited, what was possibly the first ever show,..it wasn't up to much,.just a gathering of miscellaneous enthusiasts,..fox hunting people ,.horsey folk,.raggedy men, mouchers and downright rogues

 

Some of the dogs, were poor as crows,.and our knowledge of that most versatile of all canines,.the lurcher,..was limited,.to say the least...It really was a case of the blind,.. leading the fecking blind !

 

I remember my first Judging appointments...

 

No smart sets of mole-skins, checked shirts and waistcoats,..just camos and a Rab C Nesbitt vest

 

You frequently went in, with clean hands and came out of the ring, with greasy palms and a few fleas, crawling on your chest...Some of the Jukels had nails so long,.they resembled anteaters,..and their teeth were often caked with tarter..Not all of the entries,.of course not,..but,..the facts are, for a lurcher to win the prestigious title of canine Miss World nowadays,...it must be in good condition.

 

Dogs that are treated like shit, and dragged into the show ring on a piece of baler twine,.led around by owners that cannot give a feck,..their dog in one hand and a can of lager in the other,..do not inspire a Judge to award that coveted red rosette....

Don't get me wrong,...a top dog can look like a scruff bag,..as can its owner,.but you get my drift....

 

The show is an advert for the modern lurcher and they are best portrayed in a favourable light....

Cruel, wicked bullies, who are using the day out, to show the world what a hard man they are ,..have not moved on,..and they belong in the past...

 

I don't go to many shows these days,...I cannot bear to be in the company of folk that do not speak my language.

I am just a rabbiter,..boring as feck and I have no interest, in who has the best, the gamest or the fastest.

 

What I would like to see,..is a return to those warm Summer days, when we all sat on the sidelines, having the craic,.. and generally taking the piss out of a fellow hunting man, as he waltzed around the ring..

 

Shows are beauty contests,..nothing more and nothing less,...only one man need take the day seriously,..and for the rest of us,..the day should be about, fun, fun, fun,..OR,.c'mon now,..what is the fecking point...

 

All the best,..Chalkwarren...

 

 

]

 

 

Remember this dog, and she was a worker

[Carraghs Gem 1,675]

At the end of the day a show is a day out where ye get to bring your mutt and buy a few bits and pieces of dog gear... Have a few beers and admire other folks mutts..

There are always folk who get carried away with it all and take it far too seriously... f**k the lot of them