Past, Present, and Future
By: Michael Suave

I was just recently allowed to take part in a Junior Showmanship Clinic; it was put on jointly by the Tampa Bay Kennel Club and the Inverness Florida Kennel Club. Brilliantly masterminded by Ms Sally Alford. These two kennel clubs are to be commended for their willingness to commit their funds and time to such a noble endeavor. I believe they are remembering the past, educating the present and ensuring the future of our sport here in Florida. They had an enrollment of 100 children between the ages of 8 and 18 years. On the day of the Clinic 80 bright eyed, attentive, interested children showed up with parents, dogs, equipment and an unbridled enthusiasm that I seldom experience. The morning was spent with lectures on all aspects of Junior Showmanship, and consistently promoted the American Kennel Club, Pure Bred Dogs and responsible dog ownership. The afternoon was spent in individual classes being judged by AKC approved Judges and coached by aged out juniors. These children are an important part of the future of our Sport. They will be the Breeders, Handlers, Judges, Kennel Club members of the future. This is the appropriate time to make them aware of everything that is good and right about the sport of pure bred dogs. Why am I sharing this in the Judges Newsletter? Primarily because there are a percentage of judges judging Junior Showmanship today who should not be! They are not comfortable nor are they informed. If they where I would not have had these stories told to me: At a recent show a Junior Judge asked a novice Jr to put a rather small Samoyed Puppy (not that small!) on the table for individual examination? At another a judge is claimed to have said “This is the first time I have judged juniors and I am really not sure of what I am supposed to be doing!” Another to have said “it is my choice whether I judge a breed on the ground or on a table” Another to have told an obviously Handicapped Jr (this child had a hearing problem created by physically obvious birth defects) that “they would have done better had they not worn their headset in the ring.” Please remember that if you choose to judge juniors you are responsible for affecting a Childs perception and can influence the future of our sport. They have all memorized the Guidelines for Junior Showmanship. Have You?? This is very important to them. Is it to You?? Some of these children will be the recipients of AKC Scholarships. Some will be interns in AKC’s Intern Program. Some will be Presidents and Board Members of Kennel Clubs. Trust me they will remember the good and bad experiences of their youth. Don’t You? There is no disgrace in choosing not to judge Junior Showmanship. There is a great deal of satisfaction in judging it well!!

Click on image for caption and larger view.