Dog Shows

[NAMIrescue]

What is everyone's opinion, on dog shows? Does anyone think it's cruel and does anyone think it's fun to watch? Does anyone show their dog? I think a bit of in between-the people that are serious about it , and just there to win, I think that's just cruel, what if they only got that dog to show it and when it was so old it had to retire, they were just going to dump it, but I think the people that are there to have fun, and if they win YAHOO, are great people, and on that hand, I'd love dogs shows if everyone was like that. But not everyone is. Anyways, what's your guy's opinions?

[IRescue452]

Serious breeders who are showing dogs to help better the breed are great. Some people buy one dog that they show and it is a loved family pet and I think that's great and all but they don't really have a reason to need to do conformation shows. Other people buy a show dog and treat it like crap and abandon it when it doesn't show good or when it gets old and they get a new dog.
That's the people though, the thing I don't like about the shows themselves is there are no equivilent shows for spayed and neutered family pets or mutts. Only Junior handeling and match shows. I'd love to be able to bring Autumn an show her even though she's spayed. I'd expect her to be in a different class though as she isn't being show for breeding purposes.

[lv4dogs]

If you are there to show, no matter what the reason, as long as you have fun then I don't see anything wrong with it.

However people that show their dogs & don't even let them walk on grass or the sorts to "protect" them I completely dissagree with that.

[Muddy4paws]

I would love to go to a dog show, Im definatly going to Crufts next year though! I love watching them on tv especially the ( agility? ) ones with the collies.

[cali]

my opinion is that dogs shows should not exist. I am extremly pro working, so when show people say they are "improving" the breed while making them entirly differnt breeds, sometimes even crippling them I just go crazy. they pretty much all end up blocky with huge coats and soft eyes. its destroys the working dogs, there are very few dogs left in the world that can actually do what they were bred to do nd do it the WAY they were bred to do it(beardie did NOT herd by bouncing and barking, they are at one point in time wire coated border collies) so I think its cruel noty to the dogs themselves but to the breeds as a whole.

[Suki Wingy]

They are my heart and soul and I love everything about them.

[Dixieland Dancer]

I LOVE DOG SHOWS! It gives me a avenue of show casing my dogs ability! As a matter of fact, I am going to an obedience dog show this weekend!

When you mention dog shows though, it sounds like you are just referring to conformation. There are many other dog show venues such as obedience, agility, hunting tests, herding tests, flyball and field trials.

It is true that some breeders discover the dogs they thought would be great conformation dogs end up not being so. The ones I know personally all try to rehome the dog by the time it is 2 or 3 years old to loving homes. While I could not do this, I respect that they just don't "dump" the dogs in shelters but make sure they are rehomed in loving environments. I personally have helped several close friends get their cherished dogs this way.

As for the betterment of the breed.... I think most people are trying to say if their dog has allergies, they will not pass it on. If their dog has hip problems, they will not pass it on. ETC. ETC. ETC. It is more selective breeding. In my own personal case, I will not breed Dusty because he has allergies and it would not be for the "betterment" of the breed to pass allergies on too his offspring. In Dixie's case, I did choose to breed her because she was a perfect specimen of a Golden with no health issues to pass on. Unfortunately, I did not know the sire had allergies in his line 3 generations back so it just goes to show that even with the most conscientous breedings, unwanted results can result. But if you ever met my Dusty in person, you would probably realize he is a great representative of the breed with his sweet loving temperment!

[lv4dogs]

Are you refering to just conformation? (personally I think conformaation is kind of boring to watch)

Personally I think that conformation shows should be held after the dog has completed a breed related show succesfully.
For ex. a spaniel excells at a field trial, or an Aussie excells at herding etc... to show that mentally & physically it is a perfect speciman of the breed. Of course they would have to add more venues for other breeds that don't have a "show" for what they are bred for. THEN move onto conformation to make sure the dog is structuraly (sp?) sound.

Did that make sense?

[vinjashira]

I love dog shows - conformation and agility. The ones I've been too are fun for the dogs and the people I have never been to an obediance show, only watch it on TV but that is fun to watch as well.

[Giselle]

What is everyone's opinion, on dog shows? Does anyone think it's cruel and does anyone think it's fun to watch? Does anyone show their dog? I think a bit of in between-the people that are serious about it , and just there to win, I think that's just cruel, what if they only got that dog to show it and when it was so old it had to retire, they were just going to dump it, but I think the people that are there to have fun, and if they win YAHOO, are great people, and on that hand, I'd love dogs shows if everyone was like that. But not everyone is. Anyways, what's your guy's opinions?

For your first question, NO. I do *not* think it is cruel. In fact, you should know that a dog who does not love being in the show ring will never win its championship. Dogs who excell in the ring are dogs that are greyt representatives of their breed and they *love* the ring and the excitement that comes with the sport.

Also, many people are forgetting this: Showing in conformation is an evaluation of breeding stock. So when you point out that there are people who get a dog "just to show it", well, that's completely counterproductive! The point of showing is to "prove" your dog is 'worthy' for being bred. No reputable breeder would get a dog "just to show it". They get a dog, want to prove the dog should be bred, and THEN decide to show the dog. If a dog will not be beneficial towards their breeding program, the dog will not be kept for breeding and will not be shown.

My opinion on this is that too many people have the misconception that dog shows are beauty pageants. THEY'RE NOT. Like I said, they are an evaluation of breeding stock. To show is to prove your dog's ability to uphold the standard, and showing in conformation is just one of the many steps to proving a dog is worthy of being bred.

Lv4dogs, what you described is what *many* Sporting and Working and Hound (and other breeds) people are doing. Except...they do it vice-versa. From puppyhood, they train their dog in conformation, and keep the coat intact, dedicate their time to dog shows, etc. However, once the dog has finished his or her championship and is not being specialed, the owner of the dog then dedicates her time into whatever activity is appropriate for her dog. For example, once Mr. Terrier finished, Mr. Terrier's owner trained and entered him in Earthdog. Or let's say Miss Greyhound just finished her championship and isn't going to be specialed. Since Miss Greyhound is still in her primes, her owner might choose to enter her in lure coursing. Just my opinion, and yes, I am an avid advocate for dog showing and hope to acquire a show Peke in the near future.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I have to agree with everything 'Giselle' said I really enjoy dog shows, the people are a lot of fun to be around and you can tell that they really love their dogs....

[GoldenLuv]

I love watching Dog shows.. that is where i got the name for my savannah

[Uabassoon]

Originally posted by IRescue452

That's the people though, the thing I don't like about the shows themselves is there are no equivilent shows for spayed and neutered family pets or mutts.

I've never understood where there isn't. Cat shows have a category called household pet competition. It can be just as competitive as the purebred, they can collect points for each show and become champions. But it can also be just for fun. The cat can be any mixed breed and it must be fixed. If I can ever afford it I'd love to put Tibby in a cat show I think it would be fun. I just really wish their was something similar for dogs. With mixed breeds being so popular you'd think there would be something similar.

[Giselle]

The good news is that there are these contests!!!

They're often run by wealthier shelters, however, so you might have to contact your local shelter and see if you and the group can coordinate something. Generally, they have Whitest Teeth, Cutest Couple, Fastest Tail, Loudest Bark, Golden Seniors, etc. It's greyt fun!

[gkristian]

i love going to dog shows. i try and go to most of the shows that Foxy's breeder goes in. Even though she wins all the time and most of her dogs atr AUST.GRAND.CH. i still like suporting her.