From my Dog World column ‘Crossing the headlines’ (7 August 2013) where I suggest ways to encourage the next generation of exhibitors.
As you must all be aware by now, Dog World has launched its readers’ survey asking what can be done to reinvigorate the show scene.
Along with its readers, DW columnists have also been asked for their views on the topic however, by the time my column is printed, I’m sure all the major concerns such as offering CCs to all eligible breeds, sliding scale of entry fees, benching and the perennial problem of face judging will have been fully and expertly explored.
So, I’ve decided to take a different approach – exploring the view of the beginners.
For a full reinvigoration to take place in our hobby surely we need to see new faces. Just a read through DW’s weekly obituary column shows the wealth of talent and knowledge we are losing and, as fewer people take up the sport, this expertise just isn’t being replaced. Obviously, if such a scenario is allowed to continue, our hobby could well face extinction in the very country that created it. Continue reading →