A FRESH PERSPECTIVE CONFORMATION SHOW PARTICIPATION
by CARRIE FLETCHER
T hemes that are discussed frequently at most Confor- mation shows include the lack of participation, inabil- ity to gain majors and/or simply points towards championships, declining numbers and most importantly, lack of interest in new participants. Rarely does this discussion address why is this happening or how to improve the situa- tion. Most treat this growing concern as someone else’s or AKC’s problem, fail- ing to consider every participant can improve the situation. This is the story of a Southern Californian newbie, hope- fully the take-away will be how each of us can improve participation. In October 2017, I purchased my first AKC registered dog—a Toy Fox Terrier puppy named Jamboree’s Key to my Heart, call name “Kekey”. Kekey was purchased to fill the void left from the unexpected and traumatic loss of the family’s rescue Terrier mix. Little did I know that this decision would start me on the path to the rewarding experience of Conformation Showing. It has been a very steep learning curve, that initially I was unsure I was willing to take on. Conformation showing was not part of my purchase decision nor did the thought even enter my mind. I was simply looking for a pet. So, what
46 • T op N otch T oys , J une 2018
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