Written and published with permission

by Judy Doniere, Toledobes

Every exhibitor should watch the breed that is in the ring before your own breed is judged in order to see the Judge's pattern. If that is not possible then for sure watch it once s/he starts your breed. A judge will always do the same pattern (or should) so don't wait until the last dog is gaited and then walk up into line and take several seconds to set your dog up. It should be set up in the spot the other was set up at and be totally ready for the judge to look at and examine. 

Watch the other dogs and the judge. Does the judge watch your dog on the go around? All the way? Halfway or not at all? This is what is their pattern.

 DO NOT ASK the pattern on gaiting. You should have seen it had you been watching as you are supposed to.

Are you ready and stacked up when the last dog is gaiting back to the end of the line or are you leaning over fiddling with the legs when the Judge is now walking by your dog. If you are not, YOU MISSED YOUR CHANCE.

When the judge is making his cuts and you are not in the first ones, do you give up or are you still fighting to get noticed? You may get pulled out and you might even win. NEVER stop working your dog while in the ring.

When gaiting around with the others in the ring are you running up on the dog in front of you or are you constantly pulling your dog back and almost stopping thereby forcing the
dogs behind you to almost pile up while you are getting Prince to stay with you?

Do you watch the dog out of the corner of your eye when you are moving him to make sure he's not pacing when gaiting?

Are you staring at the judge all the way around the ring??? PLEASE DON'T!

Are you doing a courtesy turn in front of the judge before you gait and your dog is now dizzy?  PLEASE DON'T. Just start out straight.

Are you taking your dog only half way down the mat? Are you stopping 10 feet from the judge so he has to walk up to see your dog? PLEASE DON'T!

Are you running your dog up so close to the judge he can't see your dog as it's right on top of him. PLEASE DON'T!

Personally, I dislike the swing to profile when gaiting back and there are many judges out there that feel the same. I want to see the dog stop right in front (about 5 feet away) and see how the front feet stop on his own and also more importantly his expression to me as well as when being baited by the handler.

Do you smile and CONGRATULATE the winners on your way out of the ring and then keep your mouth shut? PLEASE DO!