2) How deep will the line be? e.g. how far apart do two dogs need to be to see each other run? Last year the line could get pretty deep (15 or more dogs). I need to know this before I answer if I have a conflict or not.
Regarding the line-up, I'd like to make a suggestion/request. Is it possible to have a guideline for a maximum number of dogs (8-10 maybe) in the queue at any given time?
At our first Champs in 2017, there always seemed to be a loooooong line-up. The box set-up was awesome, but the queue to get into the boxes was a nightmare for dogs like mine that need their space. By the end of the weekend, I fashioned a system of checking in with the gate steward and then hanging out to the side, cutting in at the last minute to enter the boxes, but it wasn't pretty at times. Plus the area got super congested with dogs and handlers, which seems like a recipe for potential disaster. By setting a guideline, people could (hopefully) relax and not come up quite so early, knowing that they aren't going to be arriving "late," and allow the gate stewards to not be managing 15 dogs deep.
Just a thought!
Amy
We've actually got a plan for this, but sadly like anything it requires the exhibitors to pay attention and 'play along'.
We're basically going to have a online page where people can EXACTLY what number dog is currently running. That way it's fairly easy to look at and see that #135 is running, and if you're dog #150 then you probably want to start getting ready, and when dog # 145 is running you should head up to the gate.
It 'should' work, but it relies heavily on people paying attention.
We also have a plan for a text alert system this year, that would basically let you know of any updates and also an alert every 50 dogs in the run order. But we're still working on that as it's a new idea and we need to make sure it's going to work