Behind The Scene With...
*Published in ShowScene Magazine, March 24th, 2021
Name: Shannon Scheer
Where You Live: Calgary, AB
Breed: Standard Smooth Dachshunds and Golden Retrievers
Professional Handler CPHA
1) Through the years the purebred dog fancy has changed greatly, what do you miss the most?
I miss The Western British Columbia and Saskatchewan circuits that were so much fun in the 1980’s and 90’s.
The best part??? THEY WERE NOT LIMITED. We had 8-day circuits of 250 - 350 dogs.
Last year I greatly missed the camping outdoor shows, but most of all – I missed my friends.
2) If you could give your 20-year old self… Advice today, what would it be?
I think my 20-year old self should be giving me, now at 50+ advice. When I was 20 I worked four jobs and was rich!
3) What makes the difference between a good dog and a great dog to you?
A good dog is just that. Good and honest and to their standard. A GREAT dog must also conform to the standard but they go out there and ask for the win. A dog that owns this trait may only come down the pike once in a blue moon. No matter how conformationally correct a GOOD dog is, if it does not possess the spirit of the competition it will hold you back.
Trust is the basis of your teamwork with a great dog. A great team of dog and handler illustrates the confidence they both have in each other to perform.
4) In 2020 we saw fewer shows with all the cancellations, those shows that did go on saw larger entries in many breeds. Would fewer shows be better for the purebred dog fancy?
You’re asking the wrong geographical area person here.
I am from western Canada, we had a ONE DAY all-breed show since March 2020.
The West has already proven with fewer shows we can keep our entries up around 400-500. What would be better for the dog fancy is to NOT have show’s in different provinces on the same weekend!
Out West we think nothing of driving nine hours one way to a show. When we see shows in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia all on the same weekend it cuts down on entries for all clubs involved. This happens on a regular basis
The way shows are now, I see no gratification in competing in breed entries that may have on average three entries in a breeed.
5) If you could give all clubs one piece of advice from an exhibitor or judges point of view, what would it be?
If and when our shows start up again on a regular basis, I feel that we are going to be seeing a lot more, limited shows because of social distancing requirements.
I don’t know what to tell clubs about making an entry acceptance fair to all involved. Shows will reach their capacity within minutes of opening. Those that did not get their entries in will become frustrated and may eventually drop from our sport.
The only win situation I see here is the fact that clubs will continue on as they are guaranteed to make money as there will be no shortage of entries. If restrictions relax, then we could once again be competing at shows that have 500 + dog entries. As I mentioned in question 4, the clubs have got to work together in not holding shows on the same weekends. I do like the suggestion that several people had made about two clubs joining together to make a four or five-day event. Renaissance and Auld Lang Syne in British Columbia have done this very successfully over the years.
6) Name two dog people you would like to pair on Dancing with the stars?
Bruce Fraser and Barbara Heal. I don’t know if they can dance, but they would look fabulous in the outfits!
7) Should more attention be paid by exhibitors and judges on proper breed presentation and breed exams in the ring?
I feel on the whole the judges get it right with the choices they have. With entries being so low in the majority of the breeds it is not very hard to find the shining star in a group of two or three dogs at breed level. As for the exhibitors – one of my pet peeves is the fact FASTER IS NOT BETTER. I have no idea what happened to certain breed presentations.
Currently, it seems that many breeds are all shown at a speed faster than is required. You see this a lot with generic handlers who present EVERY breed the exact same way.
8) What has been your favorite series, movie or book, you have enjoyed through Covid time spent at home?
Ozark - hands down was the very best! Also, not ashamed to say we watched Schitts Creek start to finish. I now know why they won so many awards. Laughter truly is the best medicine.
There were a lot of great series on Netflix. Time well spent as prior to Covid I seldom watched TV as I had no time to do so.
9) What can each of us do to help ensure that our sport will rebound and prosper after the pandemic?
Hire a PROFESSIONAL Handler, we are no longer deemed essential hahahaha! On a serious note: The shows are only going to be as good as what WE make them.
Offer to volunteer with the clubs that are willing to put shows on. Promote your breed as often as you can.
When you get enquiries for puppies off the CKC breeder’s site DO NOT BLOW THEM OFF, even if they seem like off the wall requests.
At least give them credit for finding the site and researching a purebred registerable breed.
With the number of young dogs missing out on an early show career due to Covid, I have a feeling that when shows do start again – our Best of Breed winners are going to be coming out of the Open classes! We will be able to actually finish our breed Championships with all the class competition that will surface.
10) The year 2020 taught you what?
Patience!! (of which I had none before) It taught me that you can gain ten pounds much quicker than you can take it off. It taught me that perhaps I did need to take a break and enjoy all the things life has to offer when before, I was on the road five days every week.
It put my different levels of stress into a better perspective as to what was important in life. Exhaustion is no longer a part of my vocabulary. Being able to stay at home, guilt free to raise a litter of puppies has been my highlight of 2020.