27 replies to this topic

[luvdogsnyc]

I was at the dog show tonight, and suddenly, at the beginning of the terrier judging, the cairn terrier and handler had to leave the ring. This was just as they were being announced to be judged. Someone by me told me the Airedale had also already had to leave. They also said it had something to do with the judging which I just didn't understand.

I couldn't understand what happened that had to be so serious that they would break hearts, and waste an incredible amount of people's time and money.

Can someone enlighten me?

Thank you.

Kam

[Nikki]

it's explained here

http://www.cairnterrier.org/forum/index.ph...ic=9498&hl=

[Karen]

Yes, the cairn and airedale were excused because of the relationships Peter has had with the dogs and/or the airedale's handler Ernesto. Ernesto used to work for Peter for many years and leased his business from him when Peter retired as a handler. Ernesto continues to rent a facility from Peter and it's right next door to Peter's home so Peter sees the dogs everyday. Romeo was shown extensively by The Green Team and Ernesto is his current handler. An assistant was handling Romeo last night in Group, but it doesn't matter. Everyone (judges, owners, handlers) knew this was a possibility when they entered the show if the 2 dogs won breed and would go to Group because they'd already announced Peter would be the Group judge. They still entered because it's an honor to be invited and especially to win Best of Breed there. After that happened, they knew the dogs would be excused as they came up to Peter to be judged. They weren't upset or bothered. Just switching handlers is not an option as shown by Romeo being with the assistant. In regular breed shows, Romeo is not entered if Peter is a judge.

There are similar rules in performance events. Obed and rally forbid showing to a judge you've trained with in the past 12 months. I've had to skip certain Rally shows because of that. Agility judges usually travel a bit in order to avoid judging people they may teach. Last year during the winter, one of our planned agility judges couldnt' get to the show due to bad weather so they asked a local guy who was entered in the trial to fill in. He did and his wife had to pull her entries because she's not allowed to show under him. They refunded her money of course. He doesn't teach anywhere so she was the only one affected.

Karen

[bradl]

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[bradl]

Karen explained it very well. My only wish given the circumstances and outcome would have been that Mr. Green give the two excused dogs the opportunity to do a full down and back before (or even after) excusing them, so that that crowd (and tv) could have equal time and opportunity to see the breed, even if it was not being judged.

[sheila and Misty]

They should have replaced the judge -not disqualified the cairn.

[PeppersMom]

On past Westminster shows they pointed out that Cairns are the only breed required to be shown on a loose lead. And yes the Airedale was dismissed for the same reason. Why wouldn't they have gotten another handler if they knew Green was going to be the judge. My dog's breeder sent a dog to Westminster several years ago and she got beat by dog whose handler had worked for Green..(he was the judge) .the Green Machine they call it...

[jodi0553]

Karen, Thanks for explaining the conflict so well.

Brad, I agree with you 100% - by making it to the group judging, the dogs should have at least gotten their 30 seconds in front of the whole arena to acknowledge the best of breed accomplishment and so the crowd to have the opportunity to appreciate the best of these two wonderful breeds!

I'm curious to know more about the loose lead issue - so the cairn is the only dog of ALL breeds required to be on a loose lead? This seems like an odd standard. I understand that this goes with the intended purpose of a cairn, etc, but it is curious that the standards don't apply to his cousins such as the westie. Anyone who can enlighten on this??

[bradl]

A partial list of other breeds whose standard mentions being shown on a loose lead includes the Havanese, Sussex Spaniel, Shiba Inu, Siberian Husky, Flat Coated Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier. I'm sure there are more.

Westies however, can be strung up tight as you please

[Holly&me]

sorry, not sure what you mean by a loose lead - do you mean that other dogs are kept very close to handler but Cairns can be well away from the handler?
I only have ever watched Crufts here on TV and cannot remember what lead people had! BBC is not showing Crufts this year following the problems raised over some pedigree dogs on TV programme last year.

[bradl]

A loose lead means there is a little slack in the lead. The opposite of a loose lead is where the lead is tight like a piano string - in some cases practically lifting the dog's front legs off the ground.

Cairn movement should be free and easy and that would be hard to see if the dog's natural motions are constrained by a tight lead. I guess I am surprised a loose lead isn't a universal requirement.

I admit, it can be challenging to show some young Cairns on a loose lead, at least until they get ringwise (or the handler gets better bait).

[PeppersMom]

In past shows they have mentioned that Cairns are required to be shown on a loose leash. Typical conformation dog, peeing indoors..ugh!

[bradl]

Explanation in Dog Press.