Do people really behave like this at dog shows?

orionstar

orionstar

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A friend of mine recently took her westie to a dog show in Scotland for a championship and she bumped into another owner from the area that she knew. Cut a long story short he won the class but as they were leaving together they were physically jostled by other competitors and viewers whilst leaving the ring (pushing and elbows). She then heard some one say p**s off back to where you come from and some one else shouted yes ****** off and dont bother coming back. Now she was really upset and was pleased when one of the organisers came and started his conversation with "I'm really sorry you shouldnt of heard that", then finished by saying "but I suggest you get yourself another breed of dog to show". Now she's been showing horses for years and is not the over reacting type, and I myself have been on the receiving end of dirty looks by everyone standing aound a KC ring whilst walking Blue, but WTF!!!!
 
If one of the organisers heard this they should have taken action agaisnt the perpetrators not suggest your friend gets another breed. :mad: There are some real charmers in the dog world, but this seems pretty strong. Were they talking to your friend or the other exhibitor, perhaps there is a history with him. Not condoning it at all but just wonder if there was more to it than your friend was aware of.
 
There is lots of nastiness in dog showing. I was involved in it for a long time and have no wish to go back.
On the flip side I met some wonderful people who I am still friends with and was at breed council meetings where the decisions were made for my breed and had the privilege to meet some of the most knowledgeable people.
If the judge heard who had made the comments to your friend then they should have reported them to the kennel club. Totally out of order.
 
But its like that at horse shows as well its just there is more of an area for moving out of people's way at horse shows. LOL!
 
You need a thick hide,and with success it needs to get even thicker..however it is when they no longer talk about you that you need to worry!:D
 
It can be really nasty in the dog showing world (and probably horse showing as well), but this does seem a little extreme.
I just used to show my dogs and then off home - it was a good chance to socialise with friends, and we just tried not to get involved in the bitchiness.
I'm not sure if some breeds are worse than others - samoyeds weren't that bad (or maybe we were good at avoidance tactics).
 
Why should she get another breed? I don't understand what's wrong with westies?

That is appalling behaviour, if your friend has a thick skin then she shouldn't worry but that would rather upset me - I adore my westie!
 
Yep.....:(
My mum and gran used to show our homebred Goldies and mum said she remembers one time being told 'well done, she's a real good standard' by another competitor for winning a class and as she walked away, my Gran (still stood by the ring) heard 'what a joke, that dog's far too big and its a real poor type' - obviously not what the judge thought but hey ho!

My mum has never gone back to showing
K x
 
This is where you feel the dogs and breeds loose out. Since it would appear the dogs are a vehicle for people's vanity rather than the welfare of the animals.
 
Oh indeed you`re right,and worse,once they start their upward climb they become a "committee person"..and those have nothing whatever to do with the love and welfare of dogs.
 
You know what they say, if you want to ruin a good idea give it to a committee. ;)
I am a very silent member of a committee of a GSD Club, best sort of committee to be on, I never attend meetings or anything (just there to boost numbers) though I have discovered I am a guarantor to the KC for the clubs champ show coming up soon. :eek:
 
there can be alot of bitchiness but it really depends on the kind of people you get in your breed.

With Large Munsterlanders as they are a numerically small breed, are a bit unusual and you have to have a sense of humour to own one the breed competitiors are generally lovely.

I do witness with some of the numerically greater and more popular breeds alot of pointing and whispering going on.

Really glad i have a random breed!
 
I have had someone in the ring literally and dleiberately stand in the way as I was walking my dog for the judge, I felt like bumping her out of my way and next time I will... so watch out madam... :D

However I have never witnessed nor been subjected to harsh words never mudn bad language and what right does the judge have to say she should get a differnt dog, that is very unprofessional. :eek:

How can she place her dog first then suggest that is contradiciting...

I showed and judged the welsh breed for many years and had grief from both sides so i have experienced wrath to some extent with horses and dogs... I no longer show or judge horses but I do still show my dog.
 
I have been showing borzoi for nearly 20 years, there is back stabbing and bitching in all breeds, no matter what they are, and it usually stems from the fear of a dog being better than the person being nasty. Your friend should have gone the the show secretary and put her money down complaining to the KC. That kind of behaviour is not tolerated by the KC and they do take action over complaints of that type.

All showing be it mice or shires have bitching, people don't like seeing something better than what they have, they don't like the thought of being beaten, when they think they are at the top of the tree. Showing is all about the good of the breed........a lot of people forget that and should not be allowed to show a living animal
 
Be very careful about KC complaints,be sure to have a reliable witness on side. They are pretty fed up with run of the mill niggles,and it could cost you dear.
A friend of mine KC`d someone ..for shouting at her a grabbing her by the throat !!!!:eek: the offender did get a two year ban,but it cost my friend over £2000 in the end.
 
I have a friend who shows and I was appalled by the fixing tales. She virtually knew before each show whose dog was to receive the CC that time etc. So fixed that imo not worth doing.

They all scratch each others backs and my friend wanted to breed her bitch and the stud dog owner also a judge - told her exactly who she was NOT allowed to sell the pups to!!! I ask you!!

Horse showing is biased and can be bad, but dog showing takes it to another level !!!
 
With the one exception, when I won best in show at a well attended lurcher show, and was told that I would sell my bitch to a very unpleasant man, and reading through all these posts, reinforces why I have never, and will never show dogs again.

What a horrible lot.

Alec.
 
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