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It's difficult to measure the
accuracy of a survey, particularly when the participants are
fewer than expected. Our quick survey on how the price of
gas is affecting dog shows yielded 183 responses - a far cry
from the 2,500 requests. Nevertheless, those answers
indicate a mixed bag. The follow is the breakdown.
Click here for a summarized pdf
version.
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1.
In the last six
months, has the price of gas affected your
decision to enter a show? Please explain in
the space provided below. |
|
Answer |
# of
Response(s) |
Response Ratio |
|
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yes |
100 |
38.6% |
|
no
|
69 |
26.6% |
|
Other |
7 |
2.7% |
|
motorhome |
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Yes & no in certain
situations. |
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I don't have anything to
show at the moment. |
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Go to a show |
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Depends on where it is |
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I don't show |
|
I haven't had a chance to
drive |
|
|
Totals |
259 |
100% |
Comments
(83) - a sample is below
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The time that I have available is
usually the only thing that affects
my show entries. |
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I would travel up to 10-12 hrs to a
show. Now, it must be under 4 |
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I drive over 1 hour to training and
I used to go 2-4 x a week, now 1-2 x
a week. With not doing as much
training, they aren't ready for the
shows. |
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Most of the shows I go to are within
250 miles of where I live, that
gives me over 20 all breed shows a
year |
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I did not enter 3 events out of
state that I would love to have
attended. |
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Some show that I would drive my
motorhome to, I don't, instead just
drive and stay in hotel. |
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I do not show my dogs. I never have
because I live in a very remote
place where it is a burden to get to
ANY shows and I don't have the time. |
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With the increase in gas prices I'm
being very selective in what shows
to enter |
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Decided to keep my puppy at home and
save show, gas and food money until
a later date. |
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I'm selective on where I go anyway. |
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I have to watch what I spend. |
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I have significantly decreased the
amount of showing/trial. I have even
had to cancel my trip to the
National. |
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Canadian gas has been over $5.50 and
my van uses alot. On my pension it's
impossible to afford it! |
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2. In the last
six months, has the price of gas affected
your decision to travel to a show?
(Note: This is not the same as question #1.
Some people may enter, but then decide not
to attend after entries close.) Please
explain in the space provided below. |
|
Answer |
# of
Response(s)
|
Response Ratio |
|
|
yes |
93 |
39.4% |
|
no
|
83 |
35.1% |
|
Other
Sometimes |
4 |
1.6% |
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Totals |
236 |
100% |
Comments
(56)
If it is not a
Major and the judge good, I will not go even
if I am entered.
Simply can't
afford to.
Just after the
rise in gas prices, I made the decision not
to attend an event I had entered.
I've had my
husband not allow me to attend certain
shows, then our Grandbabies take WD/WB would
have been Majors if allowed to attend!
Very careful
about where I travel. One tank trips.
Most shows that
I go to are close to home.
Not only the
price of gas but, the extreme non-refundable
"pet fees" charged by hotels and motels!
I have now
limited shows that are close
The price of
gas impacted the decision not to go to a
show where my boy was entered but I chose
not to show him on day two. |
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3. Will the
price of gas cause you to consider sending
your dog(s) to shows with a handler in order
to cut expenses? Please explain in the space
provided below. |
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Answer |
# of
Response(s) |
Response Ratio |
|
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yes |
48 |
19.4% |
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no
|
115 |
46.5% |
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Other |
13 |
5.2% |
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Totals |
247 |
100% |
Comments
(71) - a sample is below
Gas has
affected all aspects of living. Even
the handlers are charging more. Showing
less.
If I can't be
there, it takes the fun away.
You end up
having to pay gas any way, after the handler
expenses are added to the bill. If you're
ring side, you just pay the handling fee.
Handlers are
more expensive than going to the show
yourself!
REALLY NEED TO
GET WELL PAYING JOB JUST TO BE ALLOWED TO
SEND DOG OUT TO COMPETE FOR AKC CH.
I can save on
my own expenses, but I have to have a good
trust in the handler to send the dog with.
I want to "do
it myself."
The handlers
are charging more because they are charging
more for the clients' share of the gas
expenses, boarding and other items.
We only show in
performance events and I have never spent a
night away from my canine kids!
I will get my
dog to the handler and the show. |
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4. Use this
spot to tell us about other creative ways
you've found to show your dogs without
paying astronomical gas prices. |
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Text Answers |
92
- a sample is below |
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Sharing
Rides, driving in a car instead of a
van |
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A
friend who shows and I have started
doubling up. We enter the same shows
and attend together in my vehicle
sharing gas costs, lodging etc. |
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Only
attend local shows, seminars,
classes, etc... |
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Entered
local performance/companion events,
some in other venues (ie UKC) just
to keep active. |
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We now
limit ourselves to very local
showing mostly all-breed and the
venue in Springfield is having more
and more all-breed shows there which
makes it convenient for Mass, CT,
RI, and parts of NY. |
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Can't
think of any. We have distances here
in AK and a group of people that
like to fix the show's majors for
certain dogs. And I was told about
the fixed majors before the GSDC of
AK entries were closed in 2008. THIS
MAKES PEOPLE NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE
IN FUTURE SHOWS WHEN DEALS ARE
PREARRANGED BEFORE THE JUDGES EVEN
LAND IN THE STATE OF ALASKA. |
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Watching for those shows that
cluster so the gas expense is only
to and from home. Looking for show
where there will be major and
skipping the one point shows. |
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Several
of us going together and sharing
expenses. Staying closer to home and
being selective on which judges to
enter under. |
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I only
go to shows which are close to home! |
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We are
showing a lot less and sticking
closer to home. When we do go, we
are carpooling and sharing rooms to
cut expenses!! |
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