This might be a little off the point but our elist talk lately reminds me of a pet peeve. "Just who wags the show dog?"
I have nothing against most professional handlers. I have used them in the past and probably will in the future when needed. Taffe Mcfadden, in particular, was the person who told me I needed to get a Cavalier. But because they are "pros" some of them have unbelievable influences on some breeders and amateur handlers. It makes me hopping mad when I see the grooming and showing techniques they adopt to make their dogs win but even angrier when, because of those wins, others adopt the same procedures and it becomes the thing to do "or you won't win." Which, by the way, is not true. When I began in Norfolks a few years ago I was told my dog was not red enough, even though the standard allows red-wheaten dogs. I was told by many that "Phido wins all the time because Max chalks him. You have to find a source for that dye." For years I watched many of my friends buy that secret red chalk-that is very expensive because it is so desired-and now all the dogs in the ring are the exact same shade. DUH! What the judges think, I haven't a clue. Before long we are grooming and showing our dogs the way the pros do it simply because . . . .no real reason. Something is very wrong when we let this happen. I would love to see all breed national clubs take more aggressive actions in educating judges and reminding owners about what is acceptable grooming and showing procedures and what is not. Otherwise our "Phidos" will get redder and redder and more groomed and teased and in a few years you won't be able to recognize your breed as it is now. Thanks for allowing me to let my artistically streaked hair down. Liz Gordon Merrychase ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
