Where are the OES?
There was a visible presence of so many different breeds (in particular some gorgeous New Foundlands), but in terms of numbers, where are the OES hiding? Do shows in the East have a more solid OES presence? Anyhow, I could never put myself or my dog through a circus like that, but I had tons of fun attending the event, and will try to attend other dog shows whenever possible. And again, after seeing the questionable outcome of certain competitions, I felt the urge to ask certain judges, "so, who is it that made you god?!????" Unfortunately I was also disappointed in some of what I saw. While most folks showing had an obvious love for their dogs, I saw many dogs neglected by their owners, sitting sadly, hot and unsupervised, in holding pens UNDER DIRECT SUN, and with empty water bowls! And I saw at least one owner scolding, screaming and jerking her dog by the neck in a manner I thought was excessive. |
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| I was discouraged at the last show I was at too. Especially when I saw an OES owner procede to hit her dog on the head with the spray bottle when "how dare" it try to sit down. OH merciful heavens. That kind of behavior IMO should automatically disqualify a participant.
I have only been to three shows and each time I often wonder about the dogs in the crates without water. I dont see how this is allowed. I know they have to stay "perfect" for the show but when does common sense rule ? Then you see the owners that walk with their dogs etc and absolutely love their dogs. Just makes me wonder about some show people. At the last show there were only 3 sheepies one was missing. I wasnt too impressed with the three. They were beautiful but something missing. Where was Mandy with Toby??? This was an east coast show. |
| A lot of people don't bother showing up if there's no points It's expensive and time intensive and if there's no chance of furthering the dog toward championship, then it's usually not worth it. |
| As Jill said if a show doesn't draw an entry, a lot of people won't show up. I wouldn't expect there to be wonderful entries anywhere in the country except MAYBE Minnesota this weekend or next as this is the week of the national and the weekends surrounding probably have the lowest OES entry of the year. I'm surprised you saw two.
If anyone sees any abuse of any kind at a show or trial they can and should report it to the show chair - meaning go to the officious looking table (it should have a sign) and tell them what happened. Depending on what took place, there may be cause to call a bench hearing. I know of at least one person who was suspended from AKC for life based on the outcome of such a hearing, though it is rare. Dogs do not need to have water in front of them every minute of every day. They just need to be well watered. Meaning you need to monitor their intake and make sure they drink enough. I usually only water mine when I am right there, and frankly OES don't spend much time in their crates, but rather on the tables, so mine get offered water there as often as not and about half the time unless it's really hot they don't really want any. Kristine |
Cadenza wrote: So I went to an AKC sanctioned dog show this weekend, and was disappointed to see only two OES there, after much searching. The show schedule can always be found online. That will help you locate the time and location of the OES judging as well as others. Were you at the Sir Francis Drake show in San Rafael? I was at that show and at the show the previous weekend in Petaluma, where there were only two OESs competing. Cadenza wrote: And while they were fine dogs as far as fitting breed conformation, I didn't think they were particularly outstanding specimens. Now this interests me. The reason I am attending these events is that am in the process of learning about confirmation handling. The *very* little I know so far is that in order to truly evaluate a dog, you have to put your hands on it - *especially* with a fluffy furball breed like OES. So I am curious about what you based your opinion on about these dogs? Cadenza wrote: where are the OES hiding? As someone else mentioned, there was a National competition this month in Minnesota that commenced on the 15th, so many folks were there. Some people - and specifically for the folks who were showing at San Rafael showing is a hobby. It is something that they do with their families and friends (two and four legged versions) and they are there for the enjoyment of competing with their dogs. Cadenza wrote: Anyhow, I could never put myself or my dog through a circus like that, but I had tons of fun attending the event, and will try to attend other dog shows whenever possible. It is a *LOT* of work. It takes at least 4 hours to ready each of those OESs for showing. It takes a *lot* of gear for showing and conservatively speaking, it takes a lot of money to show each weekend - which many of these folks do. In a downward heading economy, you really see the passion these people have for showing. Cadenza wrote: And again, after seeing the questionable outcome of certain competitions, I felt the urge to ask certain judges, "so, who is it that made you god?!????" Lol, well the AKC club did! I thought the Non-Sporting Group win by the Bulldog, by a owner/handler was especially impressive. She went up against so many well-known and highly-paid, professional handlers (a few who grossed about $10k that weekend.) Kudos to that judge, owner/handler and Bullie! Cadenza wrote: Unfortunately I was also disappointed in some of what I saw. While most folks showing had an obvious love for their dogs, I saw many dogs neglected by their owners, sitting sadly, hot and unsupervised, in holding pens UNDER DIRECT SUN, and with empty water bowls! And I saw at least one owner scolding, screaming and jerking her dog by the neck in a manner I thought was excessive.
I saw some screaming too. But it was by "professional" handlers at owners. *shaking head* 
It was extremely hot in Petaluma, which is another reason I assume there were not a lot of sheepies entered that weekend. San Rafael was not as hot, but still hot at 1 in the afternoon, when the OES judging occurred. I missed seeing any dogs penned in direct sun, without covering overhead. Certainly the OESs were well cared for. They had waterfront digs next to the lake, and were under two layers of overhead shading for their outdoor pens and in an A/C RV where they slept on beds. The show ring was hot, but their encampment was cool with a constant breeze. These dogs wanted for nothing, I assure ya! In fact, one of them got a new memory foam couch bed for her outdoor pen that weekend.  |
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