Coming Attraction...

I know it's only Tuesday but I'm half packed for the weekend again.  This time we are heading to Hutchinson, MN for a two day, 4 show International Show hosted by IABCA.  Sahra and John will be coming up and we'll all get to spend some time with Peppi, Brian and Amy.  Despite what I have read on another blog, posted their by an obviously uninformed person, the International Championship title is truly a title of worth.  The dogs are judged based on the country of their origin by judges who are required to give a written critique of each part of the dog as per the breed standard.  The UCI has been in existence for over 30 years not only in the US but multiple foreign countries as well. There are a large number of UCI judges that are also AKC judges.  For each critique the dog receives a rating number of how well the dog conforms to the UCI breed standard.  Not every dog that is judged receives a rating high enough to qualify for a UCICB which is the rating required for the international championship.  Three UCICB's are required to earn the title.  At the last IABCA show there were many dogs that were disqualified and excused from the competition.  This is not a situation of "pay us the $ and here is your title certificate".  The UCI's titling program follows closely the FCI's titling program which is how exhibitors overseas earn both their National (country) Championships and their International Championships.  This is why you see approximately 20% of breeds showing at the IABCA shows that are not AKC recognized breeds.  It certainly does not mean they are not truly a breed of dog, there are more breeds of dogs overseas that are not recognized by the AKC than one might believe.  After all that's why each year the AKC has new breeds being brought into their program.  Since your dog is judged against the breed standard and not against other dogs (until Best of Breed, etc), you can complete a title without competition.  But you can also receive a non-passing certificate or be disqualified for lack of merit.  I hope that his may educate some about the validity of other venues for earning titles.  I don't even want to go into the UKC Championships, they are also a worthy title, but I am not educated in their titling requirements as of yet.  I do have dogs registered with the UKC and look forward to not only more performance, but also some conformation shows in the near future.
On a personal note, I enjoy doing different things with my dogs and not all of them involve AKC events.  Should everyone do as I do?  No.  We all choose our paths and do what we enjoy.  My only request is to educate yourselves and not make inaccurate statements that may prevent others from enjoying an activity.  To overtly slander a particular activity is just poor sportsmanship.  Or is it a case of "those who can, do" and those who can't, bitch about it?
Until next time...