do you think dog show judges favor professional handlers over owners when judging dog shows, everybody says?

Question

it is more often the norm

Answer 1

Yes. If I could finish my dogs myself, in a reasonable time frame, I would. But paying a handler to take the dog is actually cheaper. I don't think all breeds are like that, but mine is. It is sad, but seems to be very,very true.

Gee, anyone who thinks it doesn't favor the handler and there is no influence over the judges, has never read anything like the "Dog News". There are a lot of ads targeted to judges. What about all the before show "mixers" where the handlers and judges mingle. You would have to live under a rock to think there is no connection!!!!!

Many of us have seen a very mediocre dog that had been dragged around for years by a decent breeder/handler. Never could get those majors....until the professional handler. They finish it in no time!!!!! It wasn't the grooming, or the training. Many breeders groom their breed just as well, and frequently there is not a lot of training because the dog is taken in at ringside by the handler. It's the handler!!!!!!!!!!
We cannot believe that all judges actually pick the best dog, not taking into account who is at the end of the leash.

Answer 2

Dog show judging is not by far a precise science. Each judge has a different opinion of what breed fits the mold better or worse than another. A dog in a confirmation show is being judged on his appearance against the breed standard, his temperament against the breed standards, and how he holds himself in the ring. So can you say that a judge favors professional handlers over breeder/owner handlers? Well not really, because a handler shouldn't come into play on judging what so ever.

However, there are times where a professional handler can exhibit a dog better than an owner or breeder. Just like a certified-professional dog trainer can surprisingly seem to train your dog better than you can, a professional handler can make a dog act in the ring in ways you can't. It's a simple fact that dogs will act differently with strangers than they do with you. Sometimes it's a better different, sometimes it's a worse. Usually dog owners and a show dog fall into a routine, and while the dog performs well, he doesn't perform exceptionally well because he knows how to work his owner. These stunts he can't perform with a professional handler.

In conclusion, a judge doesn't get kick-backs or tip offs from professional handlers so it's not in their best interest to prefer a professionally handled dog over an owner handled dog. However, may the best dog win.

Answer 3

Absolutely. I don't think this is right, but it's certainly true.

In theory, a professional handler is capable of showing a dog in its best light by highlighting its strengths and and downplaying its weaknesses. This is true; a person with skill can show a dog much better than an average owner. However politics plays a huge role too, and the fact is, judges see these handlers regularly because they're out showing every single weekend.

This is why I prefer more objective dog sports (agility, obedience) over the subjectivity of dog shows.

Answer 4

Absolutely. A good handler will bring out the best in the dog and know how to work the judge.. .amateurs will allow the dogs to get away with more and in most cases are intimidated by the judge. When it gets ugly is when the judges and handlers go beyond the dog and get political or personal which is unfortunate - this is what turns many amatuers away from showing their dogs... me - I have a pro handler for my dogs and now they win shows.... 'nuf said... DD

Answer 5

Depending on the show, judges (good ones) are there to judge how well the dog depicts the standards of its breed. Handlers have nothing to do with the dog's confirmation.

Answer 6

Yes dog shows are very political, seems they judge more by the handler or breeder than by the breed conformation.

Answer 7

Yes. Want to know why? Because their dogs are groomed and trained properly to show off their best features and minimize their flaws. They move at the proper pace for the dog, so that it's not sidewinding or pacing and the judge can see the dog's movement. Their dogs are trained to stand and stack perfectly, so the judge can see the dog's conformation.

Most judges want the best dog to win - help them see that your dog is the best - if he is!

Answer 8

Some do but most don't I handle my own dogs and have no problems getting championships on them