Does AKC actually want people to get involved, or not?
I have come to think recently that AKC and the local clubs have not done a very good job in promoting the joys of purebred dogs.
I believe in rescue too, but the rescue people have definitely done a better job by far in promoting adoption than pure-bred fanciers have done in promoting the pluses of breeding good-quality dogs, working with them, playing with them, and competing with them.
Case in point: this morning we were walking the Corgis in the park near our house. On our way home, we stumbled across people setting up for what was clearly a dog-event of some sort: ex-pens, crates, marker posts and shade tents everywhere.
We asked what was going on and they said an AKC fun match show, with rally and obedience.
I came home, did some poking around, and sure enough the local Kennel Club is running a sanctioned match show with conformation, rally at all levels, obedience at all levels.
Hmmm. I live across the street and knew nothing about this. I am involved in several dog activities and on mailing lists and knew nothing about this. I subscribe to our local paper and read it more-or-less cover-to-cover every day and knew nothing about this.
I'm surprised my agility instructor did not mention it, but then again I have just told her I want to start taking rally classes, and there is no agility event today. Regardless, my dog is no where near ready to compete.
Normally when there are events at this park, there are signs hung on the billboard. I would have thought that the local kennel club would have done a small amount of promotion to let people know. More people watching = more people who might say "Hey, that looks like fun."
I also think that the fun shows should allow neutered dogs to compete in conformation. You get the competing bug by competing, and it's intimidating to know that in order to just get your feet wet and see if you like it, you need to make your case to the breeder to get an intact dog with open registration. That is a HUGE leap. When I used to ride horses, every barn has a fun show with simple classes at very basic levels, for people who have not-so-good horses or who are beginner riders to participate in. Those who have the money, time and talent then move on to rated shows with tougher competition and bigger obstacles, but fun shows are just that: fun, and meant for all to compete in.
It's very disappointing to know that I'm involved in my local dog community and there is a match show right across the street from my house, and yet I had no idea this was happening. AKC, WAKE UP and start defining yourself, or the rescue organizations will do the defining for you.
Rant over. :-)
I believe in rescue too, but the rescue people have definitely done a better job by far in promoting adoption than pure-bred fanciers have done in promoting the pluses of breeding good-quality dogs, working with them, playing with them, and competing with them.
Case in point: this morning we were walking the Corgis in the park near our house. On our way home, we stumbled across people setting up for what was clearly a dog-event of some sort: ex-pens, crates, marker posts and shade tents everywhere.
We asked what was going on and they said an AKC fun match show, with rally and obedience.
I came home, did some poking around, and sure enough the local Kennel Club is running a sanctioned match show with conformation, rally at all levels, obedience at all levels.
Hmmm. I live across the street and knew nothing about this. I am involved in several dog activities and on mailing lists and knew nothing about this. I subscribe to our local paper and read it more-or-less cover-to-cover every day and knew nothing about this.
I'm surprised my agility instructor did not mention it, but then again I have just told her I want to start taking rally classes, and there is no agility event today. Regardless, my dog is no where near ready to compete.
Normally when there are events at this park, there are signs hung on the billboard. I would have thought that the local kennel club would have done a small amount of promotion to let people know. More people watching = more people who might say "Hey, that looks like fun."
I also think that the fun shows should allow neutered dogs to compete in conformation. You get the competing bug by competing, and it's intimidating to know that in order to just get your feet wet and see if you like it, you need to make your case to the breeder to get an intact dog with open registration. That is a HUGE leap. When I used to ride horses, every barn has a fun show with simple classes at very basic levels, for people who have not-so-good horses or who are beginner riders to participate in. Those who have the money, time and talent then move on to rated shows with tougher competition and bigger obstacles, but fun shows are just that: fun, and meant for all to compete in.
It's very disappointing to know that I'm involved in my local dog community and there is a match show right across the street from my house, and yet I had no idea this was happening. AKC, WAKE UP and start defining yourself, or the rescue organizations will do the defining for you.
Rant over. :-)
Comment
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Comment by Bev Levy on September 25, 2010 at 12:56pm
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It just goes to show that any group is only as good as their members! One of the reasons I enjoy mycorgi. I go to our local dog show every year and it is interesting how some breeders and handlers are very welcoming and some are clearly not.
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Comment by Heather and Ella on September 25, 2010 at 12:46pm
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Well deserved rant, to be right across the street and not know. I can't think of any dog shows/ activities in my state. We took Ella to a "dog expo" which was a 2 hr drive, only to show up and be disappointed. It was basically just one big room with people selling dog stuff, and a few rescue groups. They were supposed to have a "for fun" dog show, but no signs as to when it was or what was needed. One was a costume show, that we saw people showing up for (but they were all walking around, trying to figure out where to go), but Ella's not a costume type of gal. Ella got sick of being there and we ended up leaving.
I'd love to have her in some kind of "for fun" show with other corgis. We think she's the best, but it would be cool to see how matches up to other corgis.
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Comment by Beth on September 25, 2010 at 11:46am
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"Many pros are so consumed by the shows that they don't understand or remember the simple joy of dog ownership."
I know a lot of people on the therapy dog circuit in my area. Many of them compete in rally or agility, but you rarely see a "pro" there in that group. There are a couple, but in the larger dog community here in my neighborhood, I don't know one single breeder of any breed, even though I know there are some in the area.
Sam, you are absolutely right about not remembering how it is to be a newbie. As we gain more experience with dogs we try very, very hard to go out of our way to keep talking to all the non-dog people and new dog owners we meet out and about. We are happy to talk to people about our dogs but we also are eager to learn about theirs, be they mutts, rescues, or purebreds from a breeder.
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Comment by Sam Tsang on September 25, 2010 at 11:34am
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I think it'll take more than twitter, facebook and youtube to attract the younger generation, if you've been to an actual AKC show event, you'll notice the huge generation gap. The movie "best in show" and the different stereotype presented still stand true today. Many pros are so consumed by the shows that they don't understand or remember the simple joy of dog ownership. They forgot how they were once newbie and there was a learning curve in everything. No one likes a "know it all" in high school, especially prideful ones with no patience and social / communication skills.
Petfood companies on the other hand understand business, they spend a lot of money in social responsibility, hiring the industry's best to promote and create brand awareness. The AKC really needs a good PR / marketing makeover, they need to wash away that "certificate mill" image and do it fast, or else they'll become another uncool organization for older folks.
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Comment by christy fry on September 25, 2010 at 11:18am
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I went to the PWC SHOW this year in my area at a local hotel they were doing obience and a few other things. The atmosphere was terrible!! No chairs for spectators the members only interested in themselve's(granted alot of them were competing and prob. nervous) There was 1 table by the door with a little info. on it bascally pamplets that looked 15 yrs old. I was dumb founded who would join this chapter? Why bother advertising this event? It was a terrible thing and a huge waste of time!!! I also wasn't the only one, I saw other people trying to come in, they pretty much felt the same way I did, from the look on their faces as they truned around and just left. This Northwest Chapter could take some lesson's in good promoting habits for sure. I'll never go to another event or donate to their cause I'd much rather send my money to corgi aid or my local humane society!! Ok now my rant is over to!! Thanks for bringing this up Beth =) I agree with my whole heart that the akc and local chapters need to take a hard look at how they promote and how they interact with the public. =)
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Comment by Betts on September 25, 2010 at 10:43am
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Our biggest dog show here definitely gets a lot of publicity, but it's the only one I know about, so I suspect there are others we miss. I think you are absolutely right about a neutered class. I've thought it would be fun to show a dog, but am not at all prepared to make the commitment to have an unaltered dog so that I can do so. If I had a chance to show a neutered dog in a setting with other novices, I and others might catch the bug.
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