Becoming a Hamster Judge?

[PinkDelilah]

Hi everyone out there

I am (slightly) new to the form, so I'm not sure if this is the right thread... so forgive me

I was just wondering how one becomes a hamster judge in America. just curious really.

Judges don't have to pass some sorta test or something? do they

[DrKMcK]

Hello PinkDelilah. There are no shows in my area, but any place where they "show" hammies I'm pretty sure the judges have to have some type of certification for what they do. There are pretty strict regulations as to types of hammies that can be shown; different categories. A person would have to be really informed and experienced in order to judge hamsters, or any animal, in shows that are looking for excellence in breeding and species, etc.

[Hekomi]

There is only one active hamster association in the States right now, I believe, the California Hamster Association.

In the UK, if I'm correct, people who wish to judge have to spend a few years in an apprenticeship sort of role. I feel like there is some sort of test involved. You need to know type and proper conformation of the hamsters you are looking at when you judge them. It's not about the prettiest - it's about their size, health, how their body is formed, how well their pattern and colour meets NHC/CHA standards. There's a lot that goes into it.

Souffle is a judge in the UK, she might have some more tips for you.

[PinkDelilah]

WOW! I understood some of the ideas of shows, that it isn't just judging if the hamster is pretty. I just didn't appreciate how stringent it is. Just shows to prove how in-serious hamsters are taken here in america:P

thanks DRKMcK & Hekomi for your replies!

[Hekomi]

They're taken more seriously in the UK. I'm sure the CHA has high standards too, but with only one association, and just a yearly show, it seems a bit trickier. The breeders in North America are pretty stretched out too. For instance, I'm sourcing my hamsters from the US at the moment.

[souffle]

Hi there - I judge Syrians in the UK as mentioned. In the UK you qualify in Syrian and Dwarfs separately so if you want to judge both it is two sets of training and tests.
Initially you should be an active member in a club and have some knowledge through your own showing and breeding and also have done some show secretary work and maybe judged pets and helped out stewarding at shows. You need to do 3 lots of pen stewarding ( organising the pens in order, ensuring hamsters are safe and well, bring to the judge and taking away after judging and arranging on the bench in score order etc) and 3 sessions of Book stewarding (sitting with the judge, taking notes and totting up scores and organising the correct classes to be brought forward). After this you have to judge 3 shows under the eye of a qualified judge who assesses you on your abilities to judge, recognise colours, maintain consistency in judging and judge to the standard. They mark you and you must pass all three trainee judging assessments after which you will qualify as a judge for the club which put you forward. After two years you can apply to jduge as a National judge when you need to judge and be assessed again by three qualified National judges.
It is quite nerve wracking especially the first time you judge but I do enjoy it. I'm not sure how it works in the USA though.

[dave123791]

I didn't know you were a hamster judge souffle. Very impressive

[souffle]

Proof! LOL!

[dave123791]

It must be really fun to judge all those cute hamsters

[DrKMcK]

Those are beautiful big hammies Souffle! And I though Nutmeg was big! Ted E's a peanut!