I recently attended an Open Show and wondered afterwards about judging regulations and how judges were expected to conduct themselves during their judging appointment.
Before the judging commenced it became evident that the judge knew some of the exhibitors (of which I know is natural as most judges are after all exhibitors themselves) as the judge started asking people if certain others had turned up
In one class there was only two exhibits and numerous absentees. The judge spoke to the first exhibitor on first name terms, on entering the ring and on numerous occasions during the judging process. As the exhibitors dog was "playing up" i.e. not standing still or moving on four legs, the judge proceeded to suggest other ways of standing and moving the dog and the class seemed to turn more into private ringcraft tuition for this particular exhibitor
I wondered if this was common amongst judges and if they should be allowed to do this? I think it would certainly put new exhibitors off and did not look professional at all.
Incase you were wondering "yes" this particular dog did win the class although how the judge managed to assess the dog is anyone's guess and people did raise the question around the ringside.
Any similar experiences?
Please note the judge being discussed here was not judging Cockers
