It's About Dogs!

By Claire Koshar

"Reprinted from the April 2005 edition of The American Kennel Gazette"

As the Best of Breed winner leaves the ring a first time exhibitor hears the handler say to the waiting owner, “Well, we beat…” and names a top winning and widely recognizable handler.  And, here, I thought it was about the dogs.

In earlier days, benched shows were more prevalent.  Before the Flat-Coated Retriever Society conducted its own Specialty flat-coats and their owners gathered from across the country and Canada to show their dogs in conjunction with the Chicago International dog show.  It was a benched show.

Dogs were crated on long sectioned benches by breed.  They were there for the hours of the show. Flat-coat people “talked dogs”.  Spectators had a chance to meet breeders and see the dogs and could take time doing it.  There was a congeniality that led to honest discussions of the dogs, their strengths and weaknesses.

The majority of exhibitors have never seen a benched show. There are only a few throughout the country. I believe that they provide learning experiences of real value.  I’d like to see a few more. 

Have we moved away from the concept that dog shows were an opportunity to compare dogs in order to better the breed? Are we still deeply concerned with maintaining the characteristics of the flat-coat?  His conformation, his kindness and his field ability, all equally important.

Certainly, everyone wants to win.  No one enters any dog event without hoping to win, but is it everything?  Obedience championships put the emphasis on defeating the competition.  When winning obedience championship points becomes crucial it is hard to forgive a crooked sit.  I watched a joyous obedience performance.  In a few instances, precision was overcome by enthusiasm but the dog easily qualified with a very high score. It was not perfect.  The owner’s comment was, “He was awful.”, and walked away unhappy.  Winning had become more important than simply being in the company of a good dog.

It is great to get out and compete with your dog-as long as it is still a pleasure on both ends of the lead. Not long ago, one of my dearest dogs, Alexander (Ch. Westering Soldier Sailor,JH, WCX), waited on a sit-stay for 50 seconds and then quietly turned, picked up his leash-- careful not to drop his armband-- and brought them both back across the ring as though to say, “You left these. You must have meant for me to retrieve them.”  He’s gone now, but he could break a thousand stays if only I could have him back.  Always, the dog is more important than the win.

Possibly the strongest argument for an involvement in purebred dogs is the chance to appreciate, with a great sense of protectiveness, that which is best in them.

Ardent flat-coat breeder and trainer, Elizabeth Millikin, known to her flat-coat friends as Bunny, was watching the breed with me at Westminster.  We were discussing the dogs when an observer asked what the breed was.  We told her, and she said, “Oh, they’re beautiful.  Which one is yours?”  And Bunny, without hesitation, said, “They all are.”  And they are.

( Guest Columnist Claire Koshar, a member of the Flat-Coated Society of America for more than 30 years, has served as club parliamentarian and secretary. She has judges Sweepstakes in the United States and Canada, and is the author of A Guide to Dog Sports: From Beginners to Winners.)