Behaviour at Shows and Beyond

Congratulations to Lavina Diamante for her article in the July Dog World about behaviour towards judges.  It needed to be said, and in fact there’s a whole discussion about behaviour that we should have, because the issue goes beyond just judges and exhibitors.

Social media are (‘media’ is plural, before any grammar nazis jump on me) a long-standing sore point, and you will have seen that the incoming EC decided not to even try to influence behaviour there, in line with the decision of the 2023 ACOD.  If people have so little pride that they’ll let the world see the bitchy and petty side of their natures that’s very sad, but not really our business.  Anyone who is aggrieved by something that’s said can choose whether to respond – on a better level, let’s hope – ignore it, or take action through their lawyer.

Some of the behaviour we see at shows really is disappointing too, and this bears on the subject of gaining and keeping new members.  Many is the time I’ll be walking my dogs and I’ll strike up a conversation with someone I see with a pedigree dog and ask them if they’ve ever thought of showing it.  “I tried once and went to a couple of shows, but I couldn’t stand the people,” is a common reply, seriously.  That’s you they’re talking about.

I’ve had this conversation over the forty or more years I’ve been around dog shows, and the reaction is often a chuckle and some comment about being passionate, or competitive, as though that makes it alright.   It doesn’t.  

There’s no polite way to put this, so I’ll give it to you straight.  If you are one whose behaviour or attitude drives away newcomers, you’re an embarrassment.  You might be a passionate embarrassment, or a competitive embarrassment, but you’re still an embarrassment.    

A few weeks back a friend of Pat’s asked her what I would do when I became President to make dog showing a more pleasant activity.  I guess writing this is a start, albeit at the risk of offending some of you.  If you’re confident it doesn’t apply to you you’ve nothing to be offended about though.

It’s up to you really.