Re: Perhaps a different approach may be in order

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Posted by patricia sherman on August 04, 2002 at 00:15:58:

In Reply to: Re: Perhaps a different approach may be in order posted by Mark Schmidtke on August 03, 2002 at 23:24:45:

:I like the idea of shows, however you would still need some kind of written standard of what the ideal of a certain morph should look like even if it's just for the judges so they would know to deduct points for certain things that don't quite add up to the ideal,

Since dog shows are my area of experience, I can only use those as a reference point. The standards are written by the specific kennel clubs, and the judges then judge in accordance with those standards. In the case of snakes, a group of enthusiasts would need to first achieve agreement as to what the standard should be for a specific variety. Generally speaking, those standards are set by the breeders with the most experience in breeding and working with the particular breed for which the standard is being written.

Among corn snake enthusiasts, I've little doubt that there'd be broad agreement as to the knowledgeability of such breeders as Kathy Love and Rich Zuchowski (to name just a couple). If they were to be involved in a standards setting committee, I'd expect that their definitions would receive broad acceptance. Once the standard has been defined, it is then necessary to select judges that are familiar enough with the ideal to judge in accordance with its limits. In the case of corns, again, I'd say that people such as Kathy and Rich would be readily accepted as judges at any show, and would probably find themselves in great demand.

In the showing of dogs, it is generally the most enthusiastic breeders and exhibitors that go on to become judges themselves after spending a few years working with their favourite breeds. If someone has gone to the effort of breeding winners, then that someone is usually highly motivated to ensure that the standard to which he/she has bred is perpetuated. By becoming a judge, one can most easily contribute to the continued improvement of the breed. In the case of corn snakes, the winningest exhibitors would be the people whose names would become most readily recognized, and those people would go on to become judges. You can't even apply for a judging permit in dogs, unless you've bred a minimum number (I think it is five) of champions.

So, if competitive events are offered, I think we'll see people that are willing to submit their livestock to the judges' eyes in hope of attaining the kind of recognition that comes from being the breeder of winners, and eventually (with development of the show standards) of champions.

Tricia

:ie, for an Okeetee, points off for white speckling in the orange background or for saddle borders that weren't wide enough or for a white belly or other stuff like that. You would still have to start out with somekind of written standard.

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