| BIS BISS Ch. Lucky VII`s Baby New Year CGC |
| aka "Simon" |
| I am Kathi Seidenspinner and this is the story of
Simon the chow. Back in March of this year, Simon was shown at the Non- Sporting Group
Club of The Garden State show in NJ. He won the breed then went on to compete in the
group later that evening under the same judge. As the judge was finishing up her exam,
something happened and Simon turned to snap at her. He caused no harm what so ever and did
not bite, what he did do was throw some saliva on her glasses. I do not condone his
behavior in any way but I do feel he reacted much the way we would in saying
"ouch" or "stop it". I feel that when she was coming forward she had
one hand on his back and may have inadvertently applied to much pressure causing him
discomfort. This is a dog who has been shown on a regular basis for 2 1/2 yrs, has
attended breed handling classes since he was 3 months old and who had just won a BIS
several weeks prior to this. Simon has been judged by over 100 judges in the past without
a single incident and at the time of his DQ was the #2 chow in the country all-breed. I enrolled Simon in obedience class immediately after the incident when I read AKC rules saying I would be asked for proof of stability training in the way of an obedience course or a CGC if I were to apply for reinstatement. While I awaited the letter from the judge to arrive at AKC describing the event, Simon completed the 7 week course. I also decided to put a CGC on him as well so he would have both. Imagine my surprise when I received a letter from AKC telling me my request was being denied based solely on the letter the judge had written, especially when she told my handler the day of the incident that she did not feel it was an act of aggression just a dog who had had enough. I then called the judge personally and had a long talk with her, we discussed the many possibilities as to what may have caused him to react the way he did, she agreed to re-think her decision and allow me to call her a week later for her final decision. When I called her the following week she did in fact agree to write a new letter for Simon with the stipulation that he complete a novice obedience course with a stand for examination with no one holding him. I agreed and thanked her. She said it would be several weeks before she could write the letter due to another DQ case she was involved in at the time. Simon completed his Novice course with flying colors and we still have no letter. The judge later emailed me and told me she had changed her mind and decided not to recommend him for reinstatement afterall. So I have a dog with a perfect record except for this one incident that caused no harm to anyone, 2 obedience certificates and a CGC and he can never be shown again. AKC has not seen any evidence on his behalf at all. I have created the survey below to try and sway AKC into looking in to the other side of this matter. If not for Simon, maybe it will help someone else in the future. AKC really needs to stand by the exhibitors and breeders as well as their judges. All I ever wanted was the right to go through the reinstatement process, I don't know who it is there for if not for dogs like Simon. I want them to look at his past record, see his current training and allow him to go before the panel of 3 judges like it says in the rules. I want him to be at least given the opportunity to be able to prove himself. While I can understand a judge being biased or prejudiced in her comments after any incident, I would hope that AKC could look passed that and see the whole picture. If you agree, please fill out the survey below. I will print everyone's response and mail it all in to AKC along with the personal letters I have received and proof of his training in hopes that AKC will re-think this policy of giving the judge 100% control. Sincerely Kathi Seidenspinner
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