Judge dissed veteran dog and USRC

[fbkeays]

I am extremely upset and disappointed that my veteran dog was so rudely treated by the “highly regarded”, German rottweiler judge, Anton Spindler. I entered Duncan in the veteran male class at the NW USRC regional show in Dixon, CA. The host club is the Wine Country Rottweiler Club. I have supported their shows in the past with my entries. I was looking forward to showing Duncan in the veteran’s class. Duncan was the only entry in this class. My good friend Monica took him into the ring while I stayed outside to bait him. Herr Spindler checked his teeth and found that all were accounted for. He then checked testicles. He couldn’t find any. Monica informed him that he was neutered. Herr Sprindler informed her that he would have to DQ my dog for lack of testicles. Monica thought he was making a joke.
I read the rules before signing my dog’s entry. Section 15 of the USRC show rules state that all dogs and bitches must be intact except for the veteran, stud dog and brood bitch classes. The rule isn’t vague. It isn’t up to the judge to interpret.
Herr Spindler refused to judge my dog. He refused to judge by the rules of the show. He turned his back and walked away from my veteran dog. Not only was I very upset, disappointed and confused by this man’s behavior, my dog had to be DRAGGED from the ring.
Duncan is a show dog. He understands that there is more to being in the ring then just checking teeth and testicles. There is gaiting, baiting, stacking, and his favorite- the cheering. He knew that he wasn’t done.
Herr Spindler acted irresponsibly and in extremely poor sportsmanship manner by refusing to judge a dog that was eligible to be shown in the class that he was entered in, under the rules of the show. He REFUSED to look at the USRC rules when they were offered to him.
Bottom line. This world-renowned judge showed great disrespect for my veteran dog AND for the United States Rottweiler Club.

I did ask for a refund of his entry, but that is a small, very small, consolation for what I put into to get my dog ready to be shown.

[groupieindenial]

Wow. YOu'd think the club who put on the show picked a judge who knew and accepted the rules he'd be judging to. I'd be more pissed at the club.

[Miabella]

I don't have any experience in Sieger shows, USRC or otherwise, but this does seem extremely unfair when the rules stated he could be entered. Is veterans considered like a non-regular class? I would be ticked, too.

[observer]

or Duncan for being upset about this. I am more familiar with horse show world, where I am a licensed official, than dog show world, but RULES ARE RULES -- whether as a judge you like them or not, or think you know better because you are the home country expert. Shame on the judge, primarily; I'm sure the show expected him to comply with the applicable rules --I would like to think they, and other clubs who hear about this, wouldn't use him as a judge either.

[HerculesMomma]

Isn't there anything you can to do appeal to the USRC regarding the judges behavior? I would assume they would want to take action against a judge for not following the rules?

Sorry you guys didn't get to show though. I know anything after the fact is just that and doesn't change the fact that you were not allowed to show.

[pazzo]

although I am not involved in conformation, I understand how frustrating this is for you. All I can say is I am sorry you had to go through this. Poor Duncan I feel bad for him. Just remember even god can't change the way YOU view Duncan and that is just one person's interpretation that day. The heck with him, it happened, it's over and do NOT let him ruin ANOTHER minute of your life! I know its easier said than done, but take a deep breath, I hope you feel better soon! and KISS duncan for me!

[Zephir]

I'm very sorry to hear what happened to Duncan. Although I have not shown under Spindler, yet, he is very well respected and known to be very tough. He is not the only foreign judge that refuses to follow the rules set by the USRC. An example is the rating system here vs. Germany. In Germany dogs can be V rated in the youth classes; USRC they can not. There are judges that refuse to sign critiques if they can not V rate a dog in the youth classes if they (the judges) feel the dog is deserving. This can be quite confusing when the dog goes V1 and Youth Seiger one weekend and SG1 and YS the next weekend.

I think if they accept the judging assignments here then they should also accept the rules set forth by the hosting organization, or the rules need to be changed accordingly.

[observer]

Judges who will not accept USRC rules, shouldn't be hired to judge USRC shows.

I would put my concerns in writing, both to the club and the USRC.

[rottielover2004]

I am so sorry for your bad weekend. Poor duncan must have been so confused, and wondering what happened. I have heard alot of neg about spindler. Keep up the great work you are doing with him, and do not let one nasty judge stop you.

[BostonRott]

Posted with permission:

Good Afternoon,


There has been discussion about the USRC Northwest Regional Sieger Show Veteran male class. To clarify, the Show Chairman of the Wine Country Rottweiler Club is not on this list and has reviewed this response.


The USRC rules were leisurely reviewed with the judge by the Show Chairman the evening before the show at dinner. Mr. Spindler has judged many USRC Shows and knows the USRC rules and stated so. However, he must judge by the FCI rules per the ADRK. Personally, I respect Mr. Spindler's judging and will continue to show when he is judging.


The judge was approached by the Regional Director after the dog was DQ in the effort to....support....the entrant. No one ran in the ring with the rule book and the Veteran dog and handler were not escorted out of the ring. The entrant was refunded their money and an oral and written apology was extended.

The USRC Show Committee has been notified and was asked for a recommendation and to clarify future procedures when a non-USRC Judge is officiating. Until that response is communicated the Northwest Region Clubs will personally contact any Veteran males/females entrants to inquire if the dogs have been neutered or spayed at the time the entry is received to ensure they are aware that the dog could be disqualified per the FCI rules.

If anyone would like to a send a formal proposed recommendation I welcome the participation and private message that can be forwarded or sent directly to the USRC Show Committee.

Dee Hernandez, USRC Northwest Regional Director

For USRC contacts: http://www.usrconline.org/contacts.html

[fbkeays]

I do not appreciate having been entertainment for the USRC. I innocently believed that since the rules for the class stated that an altered dog was permitted to enter that he could actually then be shown. Silly me! I am sorry that I don't have the sense of humor to find it funny.

Shame on me for not rooting out the few people that had actually shown under Mr. Spindler. As I understand it, the last time he judged in California (more then 300 miles away from the Dixon show site and an AKC venue, btw) was about the same time that my veteran male was born. Too bad that this veteran male was my FIRST show dog.

I guess if I was older and had been in the breed for longer then 9 years that I would know some of this stuff. I have been an USRC member off and on for seven years. My first ever show experience was actually at an USRC match- just over nine years ago. I was fortunate then that the judge decided to NOT DQ my dog, for having 4 missing teeth as she was still a puppy.

When a judge tells me that he is disqualifying my dog, I at least want my dog to actually have done something to deserve it. Disqualification is a serious word. It has a serious meaning and consequences. It means that your dog is DONE. It means that you can not come back. It means that your dog is no longer welcome. I am a little sensitive about this. I don't think the letters "DQ", uttered by a judge, be something I should take lightly.

I am sure this is splitting hairs, but *I* was lead out of the ring. Monica, the actual handler on Duncan, was not escorted out of the ring. She was told to leave. The written apology was in an e-mail. I am a little old fashion, but when I think of "written apology", I think of good paper with actual handwritten signature. Perhaps in this case from the president of USRC on letter head would be sufficient.

[BostonRott]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

I do not appreciate having been entertainment for the USRC. I innocently believed that since the rules for the class stated that an altered dog was permitted to enter that he could actually then be shown. Silly me! I am sorry that I don't have the sense of humor to find it funny.

What are you referring to?? Who said that anyone found this funny??? Who said you provided entertainment?

I thought Dee's message was well written, that is why I asked for permission to post it. And if you read it, the show committee is already addressing the issue and suggestions in the form of proposals are being solicited, from anyone.

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

What are you referring to?? Who said that anyone found this funny??? Who said you provided entertainment?

I have gotten private replies that said I was silly to be upset over this.

[Rottlva]

I know little about USRC showing, however Francis I believe that you have every right to be upset. You put your boy out there, your heart on your sleeve, as we all do when we show, and you recieved a DQ for something as simple as a lack of testicles, which the USRC rules clearly state can be removed in a vetran. If Judge Spindler cannot judge a neutered male, then in the program, it should have stated "Per FCI rules, no judging for neutered males". I'm sorry you guys went through this. In my opinion, the club should have been more privy to this rule, and forwarned exhibitors.

[lblax]

it looks to me as if the judge did what he had to do if he has to follow fci rules then thats the game the club should have let everyone know ahead of time. i really dont see a need to be embarrassed about it he didnt ridicule you or your dog