08/30/2026
WE CAN’T TELL PEOPLE TO “DO THEIR RESEARCH on DOG BREEDS and DOG SHOWS, ” AND THEN IGNORE THEM WHEN THEY SHOW UP TO LEARN.
We say it all the time in the dog world:
“Research your breeder.”
“Meet dogs in person.”
“Learn the breed.”
“Ask questions.”
“Don’t just buy the first puppy you find online.”
But then someone actually comes to a dog show to do exactly that…and sometimes we make them feel like they don’t belong there.
That needs to change.
Dog shows can be incredibly intimidating to someone who isn’t already part of our world. They walk into a building where everyone seems to know everyone. Exhibitors are busy. Handlers are rushing. Grooming areas can feel off-limits. And the person standing quietly at ringside may have absolutely no idea who they’re supposed to approach.
But they came.
They made the effort to see the dogs in person.
Maybe they’re considering a puppy six months from now. Maybe it’s two years from now. Maybe they’re comparing breeds. Maybe they’ve been researching breeders online and finally decided to come meet some of us.
That is EXACTLY the kind of puppy buyer we claim we want.
So why wouldn’t we foster that relationship?
No, you don’t have to stop five minutes before your ring time and have a 30-minute conversation.
Just say:
“I’m getting ready to go in the ring, but please come find me afterward. I’d love to talk with you.”
That one interaction can make all the difference.
Because here’s something else we need to remember:
We were all new once.
None of us walked into our first dog show knowing everything.
Someone answered our questions.
Someone explained what was happening in the ring.
Someone introduced us to another breeder.
Someone let us put our hands on a dog.
Someone taught us how to see structure and movement.
Someone encouraged us to enter our first show.
And somewhere along the way, someone made us feel like maybe we belonged there or didn't, but you still stick around...
Now it’s our turn.
The person sitting ringside today could be your puppy buyer tomorrow. It could be me. Most of us have no idea why someone is sitting ringside watching our breed.
They could become a performance home.
They could become an owner-handler.
They could become a preservation breeder.
They could become the person who falls completely in love with your breed and spends the next 30 years protecting it.
Or they could simply become an amazing pet owner who understands why health testing, temperament, structure, and responsible breeding matter.
We need every single one of those people.
We cannot complain that the public doesn’t understand responsible breeding while refusing to engage with the public. A recent post about a puppy-mill I suggested the people go to an upcoming show.
We cannot tell puppy buyers to educate themselves while making it uncomfortable for them to ask questions. The people in the post complained about how people acted when they asked questions...
Why are we alienating potential good homes for our well bred dogs?
And we cannot wonder why participation in dog sports struggles while newcomers are standing ringside waiting for someone to simply say:
“Hi! Are you interested in the breed?”
Breeders, owners, handlers—look outside the ring once in a while.
Talk to the spectators.
Answer the questions.
Introduce them to people.
Let them meet your dogs when appropriate.
Give them your contact information. Bring business cards or have a banner.
Make them feel welcome.
Because preserving a breed isn’t only about producing the next generation of great dogs.
It’s also about cultivating the next generation of people who will love, understand, and protect them.
- - - - by . . . Waterfall Miniature American Shepherds
Photo: conformation training class
