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Published on:

19th Jul 2018

202 — Mentoring the Future LIVE at the Copper Classic

Mentoring people in the sport will keep it alive

PureDogTalk host Laura Reeves moderated a LIVE Saturday Symposium sponsored by the Copper Classic in Prescott, Ariz. on the topic of Mentoring the Future. Judges Joyce Vanek, Cindy Vogels and John Wade headlined the panel.

Become the change you want to see

Anna Mysliwiec, Prescott Arizona Kennel Club, said, “We are the start of the change.” “As a judge if I have a novice in the ring I try to help them,” Wade said. “We have to encourage people. Maybe the dog they have right now isn’t show quality, but they’d like to continue in the sport. Encourage someone so they are here tomorrow.”

Juniors speak up

Juniors attending the Seminar asked great questions, including one that prompted this response from Vogels: “What’s the hardest part of being a judge?” asked by Julia, age 9. Vogels: “…we realize each of you love your dog. We get to please very few people by the end of the day. The hardest part of judging is 5 dogs, 4 ribbons.” Another junior attending, Kyle, age 14, asked, “What’s the first thing you notice about a dog when it comes in the ring.” Vanek said, “The overall presence of the handler and dog.” Vogels added, “Correct silhouette.”

Workable solutions

Suggestions for clubs, breeders and exhibitors to “mentor the future” included:
  • Encourage young people to be apprentice ring stewards
  • Offer a Peewee Handling Competition at the show
  • Advise all-breed clubs to offer Junior Showmanship as a FREE class
  • Hire former junior handlers to judge Junior Showmanship classes
  • Offer “best of the best” Junior Showmanship competitions with monetary prizes
  • Support scholarship programs like those offered by PHA and other organizations
  • Organize a potluck at the show for exhibitors in your breed
  • Focus on the positive instead of the drama when counseling new exhibitors
  • Show courtesy to ring stewards
  • Encourage local and national breed clubs to offer junior memberships and junior showmanship competitions.
  • Remember that the ribbon, the win, isn’t everything
“Welcome people to the sport,” Wade said. “Welcome people to your clubs. We need club members. The “greying of our sport” is apparent everywhere.”
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Pure Dog Talk
The VOICE of Purebred Dogs|Learn How to Show Your Dog|Dog Sports, Agility, Barn Hunt|AKC Dog Breeds and Dog Breeders|
Pure Dog Talk is the VOICE of Purebred Dogs. We talk to the legends of the sports and give you tips and tools to create an awesome life with your purebred dog. From dog shows to preservation breeding, from competitive obedience to field work, from agility to therapy dogs and all the fun in between; your passion is our purpose. Pure Dog Talk supports the American Kennel Club, our Parent, Specialty and All-Breed Clubs, Dog Sports, Therapy, Service and Preservation of our Canine Companions.
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About your host

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Laura Reeves

Laura is an AKC Breeder of Merit and retired member of the Pro-fessional Handlers Association. Laura is a second-generation breeder of German Wirehaired Pointers, under the Scotia Kennel banner.

Scotia dogs have earned well over 100 titles, in the show ring, field and performance events. Her dedication to breeding dual purpose dogs reflects a stated goal of preserving the all-weather, rugged, sound-minded gun dog the breed’s founders envisioned.

Laura served the GWPCA as AKC Gazette columnist, Judges Education Committee member and chair, Vice President, Presi-dent, National Events Coordinator and Wire~News Editor.

Her background as a newspaper reporter, marketing rep and re-searcher/writer for audio driving tours has served her well in her side projects. Her current adventure as host of PureDogTalk podcast lends her particular combination of skills to an outstanding breeder and exhibitor education channel.