judge's comments P me off

[trudy]

After he awarded another judges girl BB and then BPIG, when she was the only puppy who was spooky and moved like ****, I went to ask him his opinion on Gemma, my 14 month old I have put pics here of.

WEll sit down, he said she should be spayed, will never finish, that she isn't at all what the breed should look like. He said she looked like a shepherd from 20 or 30 years ago, that she would have won easily back then. He said she obviously had great temperment, knew I wouldn't have her if she didn't. Said she could probably do what the breed was bred to do,that she was probably what the breed originator(his words) expected but that they don't want them able to do that any more. They are supposed to be long, and pretty, not functional, like BB dog( he said that)

He said the GS was the most genetically engineered of all breeds, I said I would have thought pugs or bulldogs and he said no GS's are and they used to look like Malinois and then were changed to look like today's BB and be totally non functional, they can no longer do what they were bred for.

Then he said if I watched what was winning I would see that only ones like BB's are doing any winning, so I asked about the day's special, Gemma's litter mate, and he said he has a terrible front moving like a puppy. So I said well he is a 14 month old puppy and has lots of Group placings and wins.

I can't believe a judge thought they should be unable to do what they were bred to do, I even said Gemma does herd, and is everything they should be, but no long legs, collie head, super long body, etc. How sad and kinda disillusionment for me, I had head other people's stories and thought well Can must be different, but this was a Can show and Can judge. Gemma has 7 points.

How sad for the breed that there are people who think this way. And that one judge showed his spooky Shepherd and they both thought that was OK. I will happily take my old fashioned pretty, functional girl over the other kind

[Konotashi]

Forgive my ignorance, but what's BB and BPIG?

I don't know if that was an AKC judge, but all they care about is looks and nothing more. They don't care about health or functionality or anything like that. Pretty much, if the dog is pretty, it can be bred - which I find very sad.

Also, you said it was another judge's dog he awarded. If it was one he knew very well and was a friend of, that's probably why.

[trudy]

BB best of breed, BPIG best puppy in group, and yeah teh owner of said dog is a judge who lives about 10 min from the judge doing the judging who told me this after the day's judging was over. It is a CKC judge as we are in Canada. Gemma has 7 of total 10 points she needs and is only 14 months so there are some good judges who see her worth and her brother is number 11 Gs in the country at 14 months so not a bad one and like her can do what they are bred for and move correctly not legs everywhere and spooky temperment.

I just couldn't believe these comments

[AgileGSD]

Originally Posted by trudy

WEll sit down, he said she should be spayed, will never finish, that she isn't at all what the breed should look like. He said she looked like a shepherd from 20 or 30 years ago, that she would have won easily back then. He said she obviously had great temperment, knew I wouldn't have her if she didn't. Said she could probably do what the breed was bred to do,that she was probably what the breed originator(his words) expected but that they don't want them able to do that any more. They are supposed to be long, and pretty, not functional, like BB dog( he said that)

Unfortunately, I suspect that is the impression many judges get after attending GSD judges education. This judge almost sounds as though he was being sarcastic.

[Konotashi]

Just looked at pics of Gemma, and I'm no expert, but she's gorgeous, especially for being so young.

[Deuce]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience!

[JakodaCD OA]

welcome to the world of conformation( Obviously if she has 7 points, she is impressing other judges, I would chalk this one up to "never show under again"..

Don't let it get you down, it happens all the time

[holland]

People say things Its what you think that matters And if you and your dog enjoy showing then keep doing it-

[gsd_lover]

I echo Holland's comments, it's just one person's opinion, and keep showing if you enjoy it. Your dogs, both Ty and Gemma, are very good looking and since they have great temperaments, I would continue to show. Have you ever had them evaluated by an SV judge? You might get a totally different assessment. I realize you are going for points in the CKC but an SV show may be worth pursuing since they do take into account their confidence, temperment, and structure as well as how they look. Might be a confidence booster for you, just my 2 cents...

[robinhuerta]

I don't know much about the AKC Conformation venues..(I've only participated a few times).....but there is the same BS (perhaps more) in the German Style Conformation venues as well.
It gets more disappointing & soul breaking with each passing show, to watch the politics and favoritism that is handed to the wealthy or to those deemed "powerful".
My only advice is....*Get mentally stronger, breed & exhibit good dogs, continue portraying true sportsmanship & maintain your reputation*.....and NEVER let them see you cry! (that's what my husband tells me).
Judges are supposed to *evaluate* each dog (independently) against the breed standard and from the leash downward. Too often than not....they simply look at the leash upward, barely noticing the dog.
I refer to judges as *The Immortals*....because this is how many perceive themselves.
Thanks for letting me vent also....
Best wishes to you and your dog!