How to handle all breed shows

[nlavett]

Our first show was an IABCA at 4 months in Orlando last September in the puppy class. She took 3 firsts and a second, all SG-1. We've just completed our first USRC show in Orlando where she took VP-3 in the 6-9 month. I have to tell you, I enjoyed the USRC show so much better than the IABCA. I encountered some very rude people at the IABCA. Example:
I was walking back to the building whenI stopped to admire a greyhound a woman had. She went on to tell me how many wonderful achievements he had made. I love how excited we all get when our babys do well. She asked me why I was there. I told her we were very excited as this was our very first show and we had an entry in the puppy class. She asked me what breed. I said Rottweiler. Her whole demeanor changed. She said oh, turned her back and walked away. We then encountered people who would literally pick their dogs up and go dramatically out of their way to avoid our ring, us walking, etc.
Is this common? And what is the best way to handle attitudes like this? Should I go out of my way to keep Xasha away from other people/dogs? She loves meet and greets and is so well behaved. I know it's simply ignorance, but it's so unfair. We have an IABCA coming up in May.

[spidey]

Grow a thick skin. You will encounter breed prejudice everywhere you go, and no matter what breed you own (and sometimes even within a breed, as regards varieties, breeders, bloodlines, show venues, what have you), in fact I see it on a regular basis even here on RDN (against other breeds). Let it roll off your back. It's not because you own a Rottie, it's because some people are ignorant and prejudicial and will find any excuse to make themselves feel good by hurting someone else, it's their problem, not yours. You can't control what they say, but you CAN control how you react to it. Make your dog the best breed ambassador you can, try to ignore the idiots and have fun.

[RottsNScotts]

I have not found such rudeness to be common at shows but I know that others have.

You absolutely, absolutely, absolutely MUST keep Xasha away from other dogs! You don't know them and they do not know you. Xasha may greet people but only after THEY ask to meet her; she may NOT instigate the greeting.

But don't worry; there will be plenty of people at the show that will want to meet a cute puppy!

[nlavett]

Rotts,
Thank you for your comment. I know that we can't just go up to any and everybody. That we must have an invitation/or invite. I should have been more clear. We are very new to showing, as I said this will only be our third. We have so much to learn. For whatever reason, I always knew that we would encounter people who are not educated on our breed but I had thought that it would be different at shows. Ahhh, my innocence is leaving quickly.

[Kandi]

I have done a few shows, not lots, but have found lots of rude people. They take one look at your dog and they turn the other way. Or they give you a really dirty look when your dog touches noses with theirs, even if theirs instigated the whole thing.
I have learned to keep a very close eye on my girls and walk around others, because no matter what I own a "big bad" Rottie.
But, on the flip side of the coin, I have met some really nice people that have no problems with my girls. At one of the show, I sat next to at couple with Chinese Crested, in the grooming area. They had no problems with my dogs, in fact, allowed my girls to socialize with their teeny tiny little Cresteds. So, you really never know what you will get at a show. I just figure it is best to keep my girls noses facing forward, and not give them the chance to be distracted by the other dogs. Which, is seriously hard sometimes, because all Kaylee ever wants to do is play.

[blisscodisco]

I have actually found AKC All Breed dog shows one of the best places to go with my rottweilers. As long as they are politely heeling at my side most people are quite nice and accepting of all breeds. Some smaller owners just pick their little guys up so they don't get squashed, can't say I blame them as dog shows can get really crowded and dogs easily stepped on...Most dogs are pretty well behaved and people seem to know this and respond accordingly. Maybe things are just relaxed up here in the Pacific northwets (no that is not a typo I have officially renamed my region the Pacific NorthWETS). Altho it is beautiful sunny 50 degrees while I type this.
bliss

[nlavett]

We haven't been to an AKC show yet. I experienced this at an IABCA. I'll be looking forward to our first AKC.

[poohbearsmom]

I have only really run into problems once at an all breed AKC event in Miami, maybe 7 years ago or so.

Our ring was next to the Sheltie ring. We got there early, and started setting up crates against a wall, unwittingly in front of the Sheltie ring. Those nice people proceeded to set up grooming tables, and little jumps about 4-8 feet in front of our rottie filled crates. They proceeded to allow their little yappers to bark at our crates, jump in front of our dogs, and then had the audacity to complain about the barking/shaking crates filled with rottweilers.

I can say with pride that my dogs were not raising hell, but nearly the rest of the rottweilers stuck with the Circus act in front of them were. I reported them to the Superintendent. They were an accident waiting to happen, and at the very least, not very considerate folk. I have not been back to Miami since, largely due to that escapade.

[nlavett]

Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I'm going to chalk it up to how it is everday no matter where you are. Hit or miss as to what types of reactions we will experience. As I stated in a previous post, I thought it would be different at shows. Oh, and let me say that not everyone I met at the IABCA was awful. Not at all. We will stick to our training to be the best, most polite we can be and hopefully the nicer will outweigh the ignorant.

[Marylou Mader]

We got very tired of this sort of thing, so one time, we were standing around and a couple of cocker spaniels came by and we yelled, quick grab your Rotts there's a cocker spaniel The people actually laughed and then it brought a discussion of how it feels to be biased against and so on. Over the years, you will meet idiots like the Greyhound person, I then once had my sweet Rottie walking along and a Saluki came at her while her owner was not even paying attention, I had "Exe's" back pack on, (she was carrying our dog stuff to the ring) and this dog grabbed her back pack and was very aggressive. the woman didn't even say, "I'm sorry" I stopped her and spoke to her and all around how if that would have been my dog, there would have been a bench hearing, etc. So, try and not let that bother you, look for nice people at the shows, because the dog show world has many levels of people...

[nlavett]

MaryLou,
Still laughing about the cocker spaniel. I applaude your calm in dealing with the Saluki. I should hope to be able to turn such an event into a learning experience instead of an all out brawl. Thank you for your response.