BY MATTHEW H. STANDER
question week
september 14, 2012
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF AKC’S DECISION TO ALLOW JUDGES TO SOLICIT ASSIGNMENTS?
Joy S. Brewster Show Chairperson, Greenwich KC We received a couple of outright solicitations when this first was allowed. Generally, I feel Judges for the most part do not solicit assignments. If they are going to be in an area or judging a Specialty close to an all-breed show I have known judges to advise the all-breed clubs they will be in the area. Unfortunately, my experience is that many Specialty clubs wait until the last minute to assign judges. By this time the all-breed clubs have their panel already completed. I feel that
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Charlie Olvis & Liz Muthard Show Chairpersons, Penn Ridge Kennel Club, Inc. We don’t think about it that much... it makes no difference to us. We’ve not seen an increase in solicitations...those who did it before by trying to skirt around the solicitation issue continue to do so, just more openly, but we have not experienced an increase in requests for assignments... perhaps it is known we are not fond of the practice whether or not allowed by AKC. And, asking for an assignment is no guarantee of getting that assignment,...it might just be a guarantee of NOT getting the assignment instead, depending on who and how one asks!
the AKC “allowing” solicitation did remove the grey areas which is good. The key to the acceptance of solicitation is the manner in which it is done and the reasoning behind it. Jay Richardson Show Chairman, Wheaton KC This has only made legal what has been occurring for years, it removes a grey area which was really difficult to enforce. I couldn’t ask for an assignment, but my friend could ask you to hire me. Gary Doerge President and Show Chairman Jackson, TN Dog Fanciers Association, Inc. As a seasoned show chairman, I have learned that a quality judging panel on a regular basis will almost always equate to a larger entry for the show.
A seasoned, well rounded exhibitor knows who the quality judges are, whether they win under that judge, or not. These exhibitors will dictate whether ones show is a success. Very simply stated, they will enter under the friendly and knowledgeable judges, given the opportunity, and avoid the others. I feel that the judges who solicit assignments, do so due to their insecurities or lack of knowledge in the judging arena. Most of us know that the cost of the judging panel is usually the highest expense of a dog show. Even though it is also, in my opinion, the most important factor in drawing an entry, the inexperienced show chairman will probably become very excited when approached by someone who only charges half as much, or less, to bring in someone other than a quality judge. When they do this, it will ultimately lessen the entry, lessen the overall quality of their show, lessen the replaced quality judge’s ability to point at the right dog, and lessen the income made for their club and for AKC. It only seems to compound the current issues at AKC, i.e., low entries and diminishing income. It is for these reasons that I strongly disagree with the policy of allowing solicitation. Thank you for your inquiry. Linda G Rowell Show Chairperson, Central Florida KC I have no problem with it. It can especially help provisionals or judges with new breeds. Sometimes show chairs can get in a rut of hiring the same judges over and over and this can also open up meeting new people and bringing to the forefront new judges or judges not as frequently used! Sue Weiss Show Chairperson, Westbury KA I was so surprised when the AKC made their decision. I don’t believe it is appropriate for judges to solicit assignments. I have never done it. Continued on page 58
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