A Specialty Show
Most national clubs hold yearly “Specialties” and many hold “regional” specialties throughout the year. A “Specialty” is a show which often has more classes than the regular A.K.C. Show and is especially for the enthusiasts of just that particular breed. At these specialties there will often be other trials and events which are held in conjunction with the actual conformation show, such as “Sweepstakes” (usually these will be judged by a special judge who may not yet be qualified as as an A.K.C. Judge but who is a breeder or mentor of the breed. (A.K.C. Judges usually have to have judged at a few of these specialties in order to attain the qualifications needed to achieve their judge status for A.K.C.) Many times there will be seminars for the education of the breeders, and health clinics and other educational benefits for the improvement of the breed. And of course there is always plenty of opportunity to meet new people and compare notes on stud dogs and bitches and generally have a great time.
Everyone who attends Specialties can also come away with LOTS of collectables and momentos! You should save up your pennies and find a Specialty to attend in your area at some time...it is well worth it.
Sometimes you may get disgusted by the amount of politicking that goes on at a regular dog show, attending Specialties usually helps to “clear the air”, because Specialties often have those new upcoming judges who are still willing to “buck the general opinion” and select dogs based on their qualities. Granted, judging is always a subjective process, but somehow breed mentors and long time breeders who are just breaking into judging have a feel for their breed and will often be more interested in looking at the individual dog rather than at the face at the end of the leash. Often the judges who are at Specialties have been breeding for years and know exactly what they are looking for. Many times a Specialty judge will look for the qualities they always wished they could breed for in their own kennels! Regardless, when you can win at a Specialty you can have the certain knowledge that you DO have a good dog, especially if you can win with your OWN dog. Many breeders love to enter the “Bred By Exhibitor” class at a Specialty event because it is in this class that they can “show off” what they have accomplished, even if they don’t take a win. Competition at Specialties is always fierce. The other thing that can happen at a Specialty is that you may actually have the chance to lay “hands on” some of the best dogs of your breed in the country! This is indeed an exciting prospect and one you should not miss.
Which brings up the subject......
There is no doubt that there are politics at dog shows. Professional handlers do have a “string” of dogs that they show, and many times the owners of the “top dogs” will spend large sums of money advertising their dogs and nearly always in the ads that are placed on the web and in the dog show magazines there will of course be “thank you’s “ to the judges who put the dogs up. (“putting a dog up” means to give it the win, NOT put it away somewhere! ) So, yes, there is politicking going on at dog shows. One way to change this or to at least keep a good attitude about it is to realize that YOU can still do your personal best to maintain a good sportsman like attitude and stick by your own principles. The other thing to do is to keep a notebook of everything, and I do mean everything, that happens at each and every dog show you attend. Keeping track of the different judges, who put up which dog, who liked your dog, which wins you took or did not take, which handlers are showing and which ones are winning....all of these notes that you take will help you if you continue to show (...and the chances are extremely likely that once you actually do start to show, you will continue to show! ) Knowing who is winning and why may help you to become one of those winners down the road. And always remember: Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open!
A WONDERFUL WIN: TAKING SELECT AT THE NATIONAL NEWFOUNDLAND SPECIALTY 1994: CH. KAYLAR'S KING ARTHUR