[Jerry]

Tina, buying a license and going hunting, in reality, has nothing to do with someones ability to recognize and reward good dog work. Granted, it SHOULD, but it's not always the case.

My wife has been hunting but you would NEVER want her to attempt to set up a test and Judge your dog. That ability is not there. Experience is a fickle thing. As the saying goes, "one day's experience, repeated 20 times, sitll equals ONE DAY'S experience.

Jerry

 

[Jerry]

Interesting!!! I've been hunting, got a WC on a Spaniel, but would NEVER consider trying to judge a Spaniel trial unless I was paired with a VERY experienced Judge to show me the ropes. Everyone has to start somewhere. None of us are born being 8-point Judges.

Experience comes in different forms. I'm sure there are some very good guides on here that will put you on ducks, geese, pheasant, whatever, but wouldn't have the faintest idea of how to set up a test and Judge it. Could they?? Certainly, with experience. And that experience starts with the very first Judging assignment.

Jerry

 

[Jerry]

Not being obstinate. You stated you wouldn't Judge a Spaniel Trial and I also said I would have to have a very experienced co-judge to do it even though I have hunted with and "Titled" a Spaniel. Just not my cup of tea.


Jerry

 

[Jerry]

The only fallacy I see with your argument is that I've seen 3-4 actual hunting situations that would cause a riot if one did it at a HT. But it was a hunting situation!!!

Sometimes I think that is what happens. "Well this happened to me once, so it's a valid test."

It boils down to using common sense. Test all the dogs on a given week-end and Judge them fairly. Nothing more, nothing less.

Jerry

 

[Jerry]

Yes, yes, and yes. (How many questions did you ask?) Well, I'm not too fond of that sitting on a stump thing, but I suppose that would be better than asking them to tread water while waiting on the birds.

It's all relative in the real world and we need to give our dogs every advantage we can.

Jerry