ADDAMO ASKS....
WHO MAKES A DOG SHOW WORK?
Part 2
This
column is a continuation of my last article regarding who makes a dog show
work. I start here with Field Representatives (FRs) and what their job
description is and ask if they are doing their job. In addition, they now have
the power to take breeds away from judges that receive three unsatisfactory
evaluations from more than one FR. What follows is the job description for the
AKC Field Rep. that I obtained from the AKC.
“The Conformation Field Representative serves as the “eyes and ears” of the
office staff and Board of Directors by providing factual, first-hand information
regarding conduct of dog shows, rule and policy compliance by dog clubs, and
observations of judges' abilities."
"The Rep provides show committees, exhibitors, breeders, judges, and novices with
information regarding rules, regulations, policies and procedures; and assists
in judges’ education and the judges’ approval process."
"As
you might expect, the position requires extensive knowledge of AKC rules and
programs, typically acquired through extensive experience (as a dog show judge,
exhibitor, and/or handler) with all-breed and specialty clubs, including service
as show chairperson."
"Customer service skills are crucial as is the ability to travel extensively."
"Basically the FR is a resource and conduit to the whole sport: from top to
bottom and from bottom to top. The FR disseminates information and policies and
assists in implementing on an as needed basis."
"An important part of
the FR responsibilities is observing judges. Judges are critiqued and mentored
with respect to proper and timely procedure and with respect to how well their
selections conform to the standard for breeds evaluated. FR observations and
evaluations would include all aspects of breed specific characteristics and
unique grooming requirements.”
This is
a cushy job and very coveted because it comes with many perks. As noted above,
part of the job of the FR is to observe judges’ abilities. Why isn’t the judge
that puts up an OES, for example, that has its coat teased, written up by the
FR? The breed standard for the OES states that, “Neither the natural outline
nor the natural texture of the coat may be changed by any artificial means
except that the feet and rear may be trimmed for cleanliness.” Is teasing
natural? Or how about the Golden Retriever standard that states, “Untrimmed
natural rough;…” Further it states, “Feet may be trimmed and stray hairs
neatened, but the natural appearance of coat or outline should not be altered by
cutting or clipping.” Do you think if the FRs started writing judges up for
putting up dogs that are over groomed that the judges would get the idea and
then ultimately the exhibitor? It’s just a thought.
After
the FR., we have the AKC, created to be the breed registry. The responsibility
of the AKC was to protect and maintain the studbook. I say “was” because based
on the documented and rampant studbook fraud that the AKC has allowed to stand,
there is no integrity. The AKC has made itself useless. Why do we continue to
feed the monster? The AKC has the audacity to create a “Code of Sportsmanship”
and suggest that exhibitors and breeders abide by it while they sit back and
collect our money and still allow stud book fraud to stand even in the face of
scientific evidence. Seriously, who needs the AKC? They have not done their
job; they have let ALL of us down.
Last,
the most hurtful and the hardest to understand is the parent club who abandons
its sole purpose of protecting its breed against people who bring harm to it.
For example, The Samoyed Club of America received charges against a member in
August of 2005. The charges were breeding a dysplastic bitch (clearly a
violation of the Code of Ethics), filing a false litter registration, defrauding
the public and lying to an AKC Rep. The Constitution states that the Board is
to “first” consider the charges and if proven, would the charges be considered
prejudicial to the breed or the club. If the answer was yes they were to set a
date for a hearing to hear the evidence.
The
Samoyed Club of America refused to simply consider the charges for
seven
months (March 2006). I do not think it was coincidence that the club member who
faced charges allowed her membership to lapse therefore giving the Board the
excuse not to consider the charges due to lack of jurisdiction. How convenient
for the snake that was allowed to slither away.
There
are parent clubs who are deliberately undermining their own breed standards
(another violation of club constitutions) at breed seminars by deliberately
teaching what is contrary to the breed standard. I heard that one board member
from a club stated, that since no one had never bred it, it does not exist. In
this case the “it” is proper shoulder angulation. If parent clubs are not
willing to protect our breeds, is there any hope?
What
happened to loving our dogs, but more importantly honoring and respecting the
history and traditions of our breeds? If the AKC and the Parent Clubs are not
protecting our breeds, who is?
Perhaps
we should eliminate the AKC all together. Who needs them? They should be fired
for derelict of duty anyway. The theory that wanting to eliminate the AKC means
that you must not believe in the sport of dogs could not be further from the
truth. To the contrary, believing in purebred dogs is precisely the
reason to eliminate the AKC. (The AKC doesn’t have to be the only game in town
and nor is it.) The AKC’s behavior explicitly demonstrates
their lack of belief in the sport of purebred dogs. Actions speak louder
than words. The breeders that truly care about their breeds did not corrupt the
studbook or worse allow the fraud to stand when faced with irrefutable evidence!
 Since
we really don’t know if pedigree fraud has affected us directly, who needs
pedigrees? Why don’t we just breed “show dogs” (forget the concept of
exhibiting breeding stock) and with no holds barred as far as what you can do to
the “show dog.” Superintendents could be hired to do the paperwork and the clubs
will still get their money to hold more shows. Second thought, maybe there
could be a “breeding stock” class for the serious breeder. Who should maintain
that registry? This could be a huge opportunity for another registry. It’s just
a thought…
Gini Addamo
symphonysams@earthlink.net
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