Quote Originally Posted by CA Jack View Post
That was well said.

However, I am not sure I can agree that Homer wouldn't get votes for Dog of the Year ... I absolutely think he would (if not even Decade/Lifetime) by the people who saw him go.

Also, what if we changed the title to BULLDOG of the Year ... does the word Bulldog not carry the implication of tenacity/deep gameness with it??

Jack
Jack,

No denying Homer and his gameness. But on that day the better dog won, circumstances, excuses, conditioners, weight aside. Jeep was the dog that beat one of the best during that calendar year. For that accomplishment Jeep would be considered the best.

I think it is a matter of what DOY has meant throughout the years as we all who were subscribers of the SDJ were conditioned to believe. Which was who was the most accomplished dog to be recognized in that calendar year. Or which dog Jack Kelly fancied most. And at that time the gamest dog during each show was awarded GIS.

According to this poll it is a matter of feelings or interpretation. One may feel the dog who displays what the epitome of this breed means, gameness is the best. While another may feel one who can out perform the best at the current time is the best.

I feel the addition of a "Gamest Dog of the Year" award is a good thing. But I think the performance record of the opponent would need to be a consideration which may or may not be fair. As two first time out dogs realistically could display deeper gameness.

Giving this more thought, what would be a determining factor to achieve this award? If you go on time at nearly 4 hours of action who's to say Homer was actually more game than Jeep? Because he was behind, and not brought in correctly? Or could Jeep have been determined more game because of his dominating and winning? It gets down to splitting hairs and what one interprets vs. another.

Something to think about...

S_B