Creating Judge Profiles

[keedokes]

I was wondering how one gets started on creating judge profiles in order to best fit your dog to the judge of the class. I am looking at several shows coming up in the next couple of months, but since I'm an extreme newbie don't know exactly what I'm looking for, or how to begin, other than to ask my breeder. But how do I make the best decision for my money, and for the prospect of my dog?

What kind of notes should I make? What the strong points are of the winning dog? Sex, color, physical strong points?

Thanks, guys. :CUTE:

[~WelshStump~]

Well, myself I'm kind of doing that at shows. I've noticed that while taking photo's I keep an eye on who I like and who the judge picks and if they match. So far I've found 2 judges I like around here that pick dogs of my preference.
Now, I guess the only way you may find out who best to show under may be to just go. If a judge at a particular show did not put up your dog, ask them why. And if you get picked, ask them why. Depending on how you feel about there critique of your dog, you can better pick who to show under in the future. I know it may be an expensive way, but tell me what about dog's isn't?

[glencorgi]

At this stage, asking your breeder is the best place to begin gathering this kind of information. Ask him/her which judges his/her dogs do well under. Go over the list of judges with them and get their input. Since you are a newbie and your dog is new to all of this; win, lose or draw, having a judge that is enjoyable to show under and is good with puppies is important now too. So even if a judge might not be good for your dog, IF they are good with puppies it would be worth the entry fee <IMO> to have a positive first time experience.

A lot of this can only be learned by going in the ring and giving a judge a shot. And just because a judge puts you up one weekend, doesn't mean you won't get dumped next time you go under them and vice versa.

Sometimes it is fairly easy to see what a judge is looking for - movement, heads, biggest dogs in the ring, smaller dogs in the ring, color, handlers, etc. Other times there might not be any rhyme or reason as to what is being put up.

Study, study, study and then study the standard some more. Listen to comments being made ring side and do get input from your breeder.

Debbie

[2CrazyCorgis]

Your breeder probably can tell you which judges like the type of Corgi that comes from his or her kennel. In my extensive experience of showing Rudy in the puppy class at 2 shows :LAUGH: I think you should ask around for judges that are good with puppies. We had one judge who seemed to think that judging puppies was a waste of his time. He had no patience and was a bit rough in my opinion. I wouldn't consider showing under him again until Rudy is older and I am more experienced. A really good puppy judge will give you some quick feedback which can be very helpful.

As a very novice handler, I like to get there early to see what the judge is having the dogs do (even if it's another breed). Are they going down and back, around in a circle...etc and how much time are they spending with the dogs on the table. I don't like to be surprised.

I find it's also worth the money to buy a program at the shows you attend (whether you're entered or not) and mark the Corgis that won in every class. Also pick out a couple that seem most similar to your dog and you can track which judges they do well under. You can also see what judges you probably don't want to show to.

[keedokes]

Thanks, guys, I will take all under advisement. The reason I'm really getting into this now is because there are two shows coming up next month very near to my breeder, so I contemplated heading down there, even though my breeder isn't showing in them.

Can I videotape classes? I was contemplating just taping classes and watching judges, etc, even if I don't enter Muggle. At this point I don't know if we'll be entering (as much as I'd love to) because my husband just lost his job. There goes the entry fee money, right?

[glencorgi]

As a very novice handler, I like to get there early to see what the judge is having the dogs do (even if it's another breed). Are they going down and back, around in a circle...etc and how much time are they spending with the dogs on the table. I don't like to be surprised.

ALL great suggestions. It isn't good to be surprised about having to do an L or a T first time in the ring. :WINK:

I find it's also worth the money to buy a program at the shows you attend (whether you're entered or not) and mark the Corgis that won in every class.

Okay, to help you get in the spirit of speaking dog show - it isn't a program, it's a catalog. You go to the catalog table and buy a catalog. Dog show people can be a bit ummm, persinickety if you will and asking someone where you can buy a "program" could get you met with some eye rolling. :SMILE:

Debbie

[taflar]

Can I videotape classes? I was contemplating just taping classes and watching judges, etc, even if I don't enter Muggle. At this point I don't know if we'll be entering (as much as I'd love to) because my husband just lost his job. There goes the entry fee money, right?

Most shows will let you do that.

Peggy

[taflar]

Just my opinion here - When showing a puppy as long as the judge is good with the dogs, I don't really worry about what they're going to put up. I do not go into the ring with my puppy expecting to win. (And I've been showing since the early '80's) I take my puppy to shows as a learning experince. My puppy is learning that shows are fun and we are learning to be a team.

So, IMO, since you are new to showing and so is your puppy, don't worry about who's juding right now or if they'll place your puppy or if he'll win. Go anyway, show and LEARN. Have FUN, both of you!!! If it's not fun then it's not something you want to do and trust me a dog that doesn't enjoy showing is very hard to show and win with. The dog has to enjoy it too.

You'll learn about the judges as you go along.

Also, don't just go and show your dog and leave. Stick around. Watch the juding in other breeds. Talk to those that will talk to you (and yes, there are many). And not just in your breed. Watch, listen and learn. You can learn a lot just by sitting ringside and watching almost any breed and especially groups. Watch how the pros handle and how effortless they make it look. That's what you're going for.

Also, for a puppy's first weekend, two or three shows are enough. I don't take puppies to multiday clusters and enter them every day. I don't take puppies out of state much, I mostly show them at local shows with an occasional out of state show to get them used to long trips. And if I do go on a long circuit I don't enter them every day. For instance once my friend Cheryl and I went to 9 shows in 10 days. I had Blaze with me and he was a puppy at the time. He was only entered in about half those shows. And not all in a row. (And these weren't Blaze's first shows.)

Remember your dog is a puppy and take that into consideration too.

Peggy

[glencorgi]

Can I videotape classes? I was contemplating just taping classes and watching judges, etc, even if I don't enter Muggle. At this point I don't know if we'll be entering (as much as I'd love to) because my husband just lost his job. There goes the entry fee money, right?

Videotaping ??? Might depend upon the show site, but usually isn't a problem.

Debbie

[2CrazyCorgis]

Okay, to help you get in the spirit of speaking dog show - it isn't a program, it's a catalog. You go to the catalog table and buy a catalog. Dog show people can be a bit ummm, persinickety if you will and asking someone where you can buy a "program" could get you met with some eye rolling. :SMILE:

Debbie


That's funny - as I was typing that I kept thinking it didn't sound right! :NAH:

I was lucky to have Rudy's breeder to help me out at our first 2 shows - she even groomed him for me at the first show. And - ( I have to insert a small brag here) Rudy and I actually placed ahead of her and one of Rudy's brothers at our last show. :COOL:
But we are entered next weekend and she will be away at the PWCCA specialty, so I am on my own! :EEK: It will be a good learning experience.

[glencorgi]

That's funny - as I was typing that I kept thinking it didn't sound right! :NAH:

It's just one of those picky things, but the more you get those right, the easier it is on a newbie. :BIGGRIN"

I was lucky to have Rudy's breeder to help me out at our first 2 shows - she even groomed him for me at the first show. And - ( I have to insert a small brag here) Rudy and I actually placed ahead of her and one of Rudy's brothers at our last show. :COOL:

WAY :COOL: Congratualtions! I bet she was proud.

But we are entered next weekend and she will be away at the PWCCA specialty, so I am on my own! :EEK: It will be a good learning experience.

You'll do fine and good luck!

Debbie