Something An AKC Judge said - Page 2

 Having owned Beaucerons (and GSDs) for the last 15 years, I will say that I for one was in the camp trying to keep the Beauce from being AKC recognized (at least for bit longer, like 20 years!). 

When I showed in the rare breed venues, I actually had judges comment on my Beauce having a SchH title and am pretty sure it was the thing that swayed the judge to put my dog up for the World title. The other dog in contention at the end was a really nice dog that had beat my dog a number of times and vice versa. When we won and were posing for pics later that day, the judge commented that he loved having such a nice dog with a working title to put up. I don't see that in AKC, and don't feel like the judges even care, much less talk to you while inspecting your dog.

Oh, and the Beauceron is pretty aloof, especially the females. Mine are all very social, but it takes constant socializing to keep them that way. Any they HATE people with strong or different odors, my dogs all know my brother since he comes to visit weekly, but he is a smoker and every time he comes over, they spend the first 15 minutes or so he is here kind of wincing at the smoky odor and even growling under their breath sometimes. My husband (who is a LONG time GSD person and has titled many dogs to the SchH3 level) says that to him the Beauceron is almost feral in some of it's personality traits, which is pretty good way of describing them. But he does enjoy working ours in bitework, they are very fast and usually pretty serious once they mature.

Annette

Annette said: 

 Having owned Beaucerons (and GSDs) for the last 15 years, I will say that I for one was in the camp trying to keep the Beauce from being AKC recognized (at least for bit longer, like 20 years!). 

Good for you!! The worst thing that ever happened to some breeds was AKC recognition.  It will be the undoing of the border collie, Jack Russell, Beauceron and Valhund.  Those breeds will end up looking and acting unlike ANY of their counterparts in the rest of the world, just like the gds and the Akita.    I am truly sorry to see the Beauceron recognized, as it is a breed ripe for misuse by folks whose insurance carrier won't cover them with rotties, dobies, or (horros) gsds.  The insurance companies haven't heard of the Beauceron, yet...but, they will, if the wrong people end up  attracted to the breed as a result of AKC recognition.

<<When I showed in the rare breed venues, I actually had judges comment on my Beauce having a SchH title and am pretty sure it was the thing that swayed the judge to put my dog up>>

How did the judge know this?

AKC judges are not allowed to look at the catalog or any listing of names of entries.  And Sch isn't an AKC-acknowleged title anyway, right?

You're right Tess, They can't watch the catalogs and don't know about the dogs that will be shown. 

It wasn't at an AKC show, it was at the World Show. So all titles held by the dog (recognized by FCI as well as the world show organization) are listed in the dog's entry. They also list Ringsport, DPO and a few others but I don't recall which.

I've never shown a Beauceron in an AKC show, I've shown other breeds in AKC, conformation as well as obedience, but not a Beauceron. By the time Beaucerons were recognized by AKC, everything I had was already titled with ARBA, or had a Cotation (kind of like a Korklasse for the GSD) from a French judge, so didn't see the need to give AKC any of my money to show my dog under a judge who had probably never seen a Beauceron in person.

Annette

AKC is just a registry.BEWARE of any judges that earned alot when the show/work split in the late 70's.Judging is just their icing on the cake.Any dog that is so called recognized by the AKC will meet their doom as a breed unless the Elite westminister show includes working to represent the breed at hand.

>>It wasn't at an AKC show, it was at the World Show. So all titles held by the dog (recognized by FCI as well as the world show organization) are listed in the dog's entry.>>

Thanks for clarifying.  Interesting that the judges are allowed to see who's who prior to going into the ring.

Of course judges like other people recognize dogs & people, that's only human. but to actually scan the catalog?  Not cool.

BoCRun, this is in no way directed at you:  congratulations on having both Sch and breed titles.  I think it's fantastic.

Realize, though, that it's not that AKC judges don't care, it's that they don't know because looking at the catalog is forbidden, and that they are soundly criticized if they do more than generic talk while examining the dog (because onlookers feel that it means they're buddies with the handler and will put h/her up).

Now, when I've won and have been getting photos taken, then I talk with the judge and would sometimes say that my Champion also had obedience titles, so therefore if the judge remembered the dog the next time s/he'd know.

KCzaja: Being able to "have it both ways" is EXACTLY what makes a sound, stable, working dog! Another pathetic excuse to put up weak nerved dogs.

Too right!  I couldnt' have said it better myslef!