I think Eric is just stating what he seen run and compete in a Championship he also stated that he has judged a few other stakes and seen the same dogs do the same thing, I also have just judged a championship and also rode braces in a previous championship and also judged a championship this spring and also a derby stake this fall and I have noticed what Eric has stated. I am a breeder as you all know, and I strive to have bird dogs, and my dogs mostly win on bird finds and not necessarily a huge race but Most of my dogs all pattern forward. I am always looking for the “dog “to breed to and I am not seeing enough of the package in a lot of the dogs running. When I compete, I know when my dogs are doing it or not, I am not blind of when its time to throw in the towel and willingly do so and frankly I do not wish to bore a judge when they have to look at a lot of dogs and I also believe every one that judges is trying to do an honest job with each dog they see. With that said I don’t think Eric is trying to be mean or belittle anyone or their dogs but is stating a trend that needs to be pointed out. I believe Eric and his judging partner Ann judged those dogs fairly and honestly based on the standards we all should be looking for.
I agree with Bill on judging the derbies for their potential and not just because they had a bird find. What we haven’t been doing is judging the young dogs on everything, I’m saying that we quit doing second series or bringing the better running dogs back to see them point so we can also judge the pointing style, I am guilty of this and sometimes picking the best races and not seeing them point in a second series or a quail field. I believe we need to get back to this I know it is more costly and time consuming and harder, but honestly shouldn’t we make the best effort to place the right dog?
We are all each other’s peers and mentors here and we have a lot of new people in this sport lets have some educated discussions and keep the bashing aside.