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The Hound Group lssue: May - 2008
Arbitrary. Webster’s Dictionary defines this word
as: “depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not
fixed by law”; or “existing or coming about seemingly at random
or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of will.”
Now that we have defined the word, let’s discuss the arbitrary
nature in which those who rule our sport choose to mete out punishment
to those competing, judging or in any other way participating in
it.
Even though the Rules of Misconduct manual seems to spell out the
offenses for which one can be expelled from the ranks of AKC while
also providing specific punishment for these offenses, it seems
that in many cases who you are is more important than what you’ve
done. It is not uncommon to see an exhibitor or judge break a rule
and go unpunished while another may commit the same infraction
and have the book thrown at him or her.
Judges are governed by a similar set of rules and guidelines. For
the most part, these are spelled out to them in the Rules, Policies
and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges. They are also
given instructions regarding the physical requirements to judge.
Specifically, the manual says, “It is essential that a dog show
judge be physically capable of performing the functions necessary
to properly judge dogs.” They then list numerous physical requirements
for their approved judges.
I have no problem with these requirements and I believe that judges
should be physically capable of performing their assigned task.
However, it again seems that the enforcement of these rules is
arbitrary and, some say, punitive. I have had calls from judges
who have been instructed to “take a hiatus” or “take emeritus status”.
The overtone is that they would like these judges to just go away.
The general review of each judge (by AKC) was that they were not
capable of judging anymore.
The interesting thing to me is that I have witnessed other judges
who have been every bit as physically incapable of judging as those
mentioned previously yet they were not only allowed to continue
judging, some were actually allowed to judge at some of the most
prestigious shows in the country. Which of us has not seen a judge
who could not bend over to inspect dogs in the group for fear of
falling, or seen a judge who was seemingly lost when making the
cut in a group? Where was the AKC then? Did those judges get a
call or letter asking them to take a break or quit?
I have recently seen judges who could not function well due to
recent illnesses yet they are still judging regularly. Some are
recovering; others are not. The point is that, in my opinion, what’s
fair for one should be fair for all. Arbitrary enforcement of the
rules upon some judges or exhibitors, but not all, is bad policy
that disenfranchises those within the fancy and it irreparably
damages the sport.
T.G.
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:: May 2008 Issue ::
Multiple
All Breed Best In Show & Multiple Best In Specialty Show
#1 Pointer All Breed and Breed*
· #2 Herding Dog*
Ch.
Cordmaker Field Of Dreams
One of America's Tog Dogs Amongst
All Breeds*
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If there was such a thing as pedigreed canine royalty,
Conrad would certainly fit that description. Descending from a
long line of top winning Pulik – most notably his sire, Ch. Cordmaker
Mississippi Mud - “Amish” who is the top winning Puli of all time
– Conrad is blazing a trail of his own marked by numerous All Breed
Best in Shows as well as Best In Specialty Show at the 2007 Puli
Club of America National Specialty.
2007 marked a great start for Conrad as he finished the year as
the #1 Puli and #6 Herding Dog. He has started off 2008 by climbing
the ranks to #2 Herding Dog*, #1 Puli* and has found himself amongst
the Top 20 Dogs of All Breeds*.
Conrad’s multiple Best in Show and Best in Specialty Show wins
are a testament to his true Puli type, outstanding movement, and
a temperament that commands the attention of everyone in his midst.
Owners Jackie Beaudoin and Sue Huebner have proudly owned many
of the top Pulik in the U.S. for the past decade. Conrad is the
latest offering from this dynamic team.
The future of this young dog seems limitless. We look forward to
the rest of 2008 and the challenges it presents.
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