“Judges, Club Presidents, and the General Public must know that there would be no dog shows, if you did not have committed exhibitors who breed top dogs, and then bring them to shows, week after week, in all types of climates, at all sorts of halls, parks, and grounds.”

Introduction and Invitation

It is with this in mind that I really dedicate the “dog” part of my website, www.robertdawson.org to the exhibitors. While many people contribute to the dog world, essentially it all starts with the exhibitor, the person knows the dog, its background, its temperament, and what it is likely to produce in the future. For is it not the real reason for a dog show  to continue and improve the lines of a breed, through selection of those that have the “correct” characteristics for the breed!

In thinking this, I suppose that I could be seen as a little old-fashioned, because I  use the words “breeder” and “exhibitor” interchangeably. I know that in many parts of the world today exhibitors can be seen simply as the person paying the bills for the dog to go to a dog show; I sincerely believe that the real breeder is also the real exhibitor.

So it may be best that before going further, I should try to define what an exhibitor is. Presumably, from this definition we should be able to come to some ideas – from me but also from you – as to how we can help the exhibitor get more and more from the dog show experience. Of course, we are all hoping that what we contribute will help those who are thinking of coming into this great sport will stay in it and prosper, and those are who are already in, get more involved.

Now the invitation! If you would like to contribute – please send me your inputs and I will post them here – comments, ideas, and some hints from one exhibitor to another.

Definition of an Exhibitor

Who then is an exhibitor? I am somewhat old fashioned and believe that the underlying platform from which we have come, and that of what we will be able to go forward in the future, are the person who breeds their dogs and then exhibits them, so that they can feel that they can learn from others.

I can hear many of you now – that is something tat has gone many years ago – now what makes an exhibitor is one who has the money. However, my comment on that is clearly, even if you have all the money in the world, you will not be able to breed the top dogs. We do have the cloning and so “money” will pay for it – I don’t think that we are there yet – look at what happened with Dolly the sheep! She was born at the age of her “cloning” partner and she soon had the diseases that afflict older sheep.

I would admit that there are different types of exhibitors. The traditional type who uses shows to see what dogs will best fit into their future breeding plans. Another type, the “buyer with money” is often seen today – they try to buy the “best” and then win at any cost. In Asia we have seen this a lot. It has meant that many top dogs have come to this part of the world, and then does not been able to win. So the person moves onto the next dog or breed to see if they can win more! The next type is the silent exhibitor; this person pays a lot of money and funds the dog’s campaign. Maybe you know others, and I would like to hear about them.

How to Help Others?

Before I ask for your help, a little story that might help you understands where I am coming from to open up this dialogue. When I judged some years in one of the former Russian States in the Baltic area, I visited their club house and noticed that there were “breed rooms” so that clubs could meet regularly. I was told also that there was a program by the club that provided for the import of a top quality sire in a breed that needed to be “improved” – the cost and organization by the club initially, but the payment coming from the use of the sire. This – in my mind – is an excellent way to build participation and cooperation amongst breeders.

What are your ideas? How can you help others? What is your advice? Let’s share with others your ideas about the future of exhibiting at dog shows. Some possible topics we could discuss:

How do we get younger people into the dog world – as exhibitors?

What have you done to help a new person in the dog world? How was it taken by that person?

What do people expect to get from others?