The dog world is just a sub-set of society. There are some fabulous people there. Not all the fabulous people have fabulous dogs, but that doesn't mean that they don't have lots they can offer you.
Like the rest of society, the dog world has some people that I've found are best avoided. In some cases, these people may have some value to offer, but it may not be worth the trouble to associate with them.
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From my experiences in the dog world and that of many of my associates, this is what we have found are some of the characteristics of people we'd rather avoid.
They may:
- never have a good word to say about anyone or any dog.
- tell you that all judges are cheats and have got a personal vendatta against them.
- tell you that they have the best dogs in the world (despite the fact that the dogs don't seem to do an awful lot of winning)
- appear obsessed about a particular person or dog in an unhealthy way
- actively seek to ruin a person's reputation behind their back (some are even stupid enough to try this without even hiding their activities)
- try and cheat in the show ring
- brag that "everyone" in the dog world likes them (no one ever can ever claim this)
- appear delusional about their own self worth and that of their dogs
- never congratulate a winner or show the least bit of sporting like behaviour either in the ring or outside of it
- tell blatant lies about others and/or their dogs
- prefer a good story than the truth
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On the other hand, the people we find have been most helpful to us in the dog world will:
- give you some tips if you ask for them
- be honest about the faults of their dogs
- admit that they don't know everything
- openly congratulate others
- give new comers an encouraging word
- help others get ready for the ring (not always possible though!)
Now, here are some factors which I don't use as a guide:
- whether they advertise or not
- whether they health test or not
- whether they are involved in rescue or not
- whether they win regularly
- how long they have been involved in showing
- whether they have internet access or not
- whether they hold a position in a dog club or not
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Now, if this all sounds a bit depressing, there is good news: there are a number of lovely, well-meaning people in the show world.
If worst comes to worst, if feel that you have been wronged in the dog world, there are means you can take to seek amends. These include both legal means, through the dog club that is hosting the show, and through the local canine control body. Members of dog associations are expected to behave in certain ways including "acting in a sportsmanship way" I expect nothing less from my fellow competitors. In my experience, it is only a very small percentage of exhibitors who exhibit behaviour that is truly nasty and mean.
And the good people in the dog world need to link together to eliminate such nastiness that does exist, and set up systems to make it difficult for the "nasties" to get away with such behaviours.
The good news is, is that dog clubs around the world are making increasing efforts to ensure that dog showing incorporates only the best of behaviours from all.
Where to from here?
This page last updated 8th October, 2004