06/16/2026
I love photographing conformation (and would lose my mind from excitement if I had an opportunity to try all breed win photos.) However, I sometimes struggle to understand why people participate when stories like this are so common. I'm frankly tired of hearing about people being bullied, and I do not feel that it is reasonable to expect people to have a thick skin for what is ultimately an elective activity. Kindness. Is. Free.
This past weekend at a show, a Clumber breeder told one of my owners—someone who is completely new to dog shows—that they didn’t like a single thing about her Rainsway Clumber, stating another dog related to their kennel was better in “every single way.”
We all have different opinions on dogs, pedigrees, and breeding programs. That’s normal and healthy for a breed. But if experienced breeders truly cannot find a single positive thing to say about a young dog standing in front of them, especially when speaking to a newcomer to our sport, then the problem is no longer about the dog.
This kind of behavior is inappropriate, unprofessional, and particularly damaging in any breed that desperately needs new people to stay involved. We cannot spend our time wondering why participation is declining while simultaneously discouraging the very people willing to invest their time, money, and hearts into our breeds.
If we want a future for purebred dogs, we need to do better than this. We need to remember that every newcomer who walks away is one less person preserving, promoting, and loving our breeds.
For my part, I will continue to be an open book and offer help, support, and advice to Clumber owners regardless of kennel affiliation. I can honestly say I have helped groom dogs and provided grooming, feeding, care, and show advice to owners with Clumbers from nearly every kennel in the country.
Our breed is too small, and our future too important, to let kennel politics get in the way of helping people. 🤍
I hope more of us breeders will choose mentorship and encouragement moving forward. Kindness costs nothing. Losing newcomers will cost us everything.
