SHOWING A LOW ENTRY BREED
SMALL ENTRIES CAN PROVIDE BIG RESULTS FOR OWNER HANDLERS
By Dan Sayers
D og shows are, fundamentally, a competition. And as with any competitive endeavor, participants compete (in theory) on a level playing field. But one thing that owner handlers soon learn is that dog shows are not exactly “fair” competitions, and an exhibitor’s choice of breed can be a strong indicator of poten- tial success. After all, showing a breed that is largely presented by professionals can be overwhelming, and the odds of achieving vic- tory—even in the classes—can be deflating. The same can be said for exhibitors of low entry breeds, where the lack of competition in the Breed ring can lead to a lack of enthusiasm and an inability to de- velop the necessary skills to compete at a higher level. Exhibitors of AKC recognized breeds with low entries can find themselves in the ring with even less competition than do exhibitors of the Miscella- neous and FSS breeds. Thankfully, all is not lost. The good news for owner handlers of the low entry breeds is that in addition to being competitive events, dog shows also offer exhibitors a chance to achieve goals that have little to do with the actual competition. For the savvy exhibitor, small en- tries can provide big results in surprising ways. THE ONE AND ONLY Finding yourself in the ring as a single entry can be both a disap- pointment and a relief. Although no breed points are on offer, the lack of competition allows the exhibitor a chance to relax while demonstrating the hard work that has been practiced at home and in class. Chances are the judge is likewise relaxed and willing to take a few moments to engage you and your dog a bit more. Feel free to talk with your dog in those moments, encouraging a fun performance while making the memory a good one for you and your dog. Who knows? The two of you might even impress the judge enough to get noticed the next time in a crowded ring.
“...DOG SHOWS ARE NOT EXACTLY ‘FAIR’ COMPETITIONS...”
32 • T op N otch T oys , O ctober 2022
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