Dog shows most definitely won’t be happening for a while. There were supposed to be shows all summer, but a lot of them keep getting canceled. Most dog handlers, including my parents, have been unemployed for almost 8 weeks now. Everyday bills haven’t stop though. Several of our friends had to let go of their assistants and cut back on major expenses. There will be a dog show in Perry, Georgia in about 6 weeks.
Due to the expected large numbers of exhibitors, there already has been a limited entry put in place. Meaning that when an exhibitor goes on to Onofrio’s webpage to enter a dog at the show, there will only be so many of each dog breed allowed to enter. I recently woke to Terry James, an employee of Jack Onofrio Superintendents. He informed me that the Perry, Georgia kennel club is already getting hateful emails about how they should be ashamed that they are putting on a dog show. He as well as already gotten some very series emails about attending as well. He has to work the show because he is one of the only superintendents that can handle the amount of high stress and large workload the show is expecting.
Dog handlers need to get back to work so Terry, myself, and many others support the show and understand that there will be many new rules about how the show must now be run. Some of the new rules include, “all exhibitors and judges must wear protective face masks at all times,” “Due to social distancing rules, the grooming areas will have the designated 6 feet of space around each area,” “the use of hair dryers will be prohibited.” There will be many people who find these new rules tedious and try to break them, but if they do, they will be asked to leave the show site and not return.
The hope of a show still being on will bring many handlers to the Perry, Georgia shows, but there will be significant changes to our norm. I am sure there will be many who won’t go to the show out of fear and I’m sure the weekend will be full of drama because of the new rules.
Taylor's Dog Show Life 