What is your personal opinion on dog shows?

Question

I'm curious to find out what others on the board's opinions are on dog shows. Please be respectful of each other.

Personally, I feel that dog shows are vital to preserving our dogs. With reputable showers and breeders, only dogs that have proven to be excellent examples of their breed will go on to reproduce, creating more dogs that match the breed standard. Those puppies will then go on to win in the show ring, and on and on. Dogs shows are vital in determining which dogs best match their breed standard. Without them, it would only be a matter of time until every breed became warped.

As for the dogs, I can say that our dogs LOVE it. They think show are an absolute blast - they love all the attention and goodies they get, and they always get extra toys and chewies.

Whether you're for or against them, please explain why.

Answer 1

LOL  I love when people answer a question like this only to flame the asker or some of the answerer's!  

They have no clue what it's like to show a dog!  Or what the person has in mind for the dog.  

Showing is a perfect way to see if your dog is Worthy of competing in any venue the owner chooses.  For what ever reason the owner wants.

This is not a question on bad breeders or BYB either.  Those dogs would even make to the show grounds.

If your dont have a clue then dont answer! Geeze!

Answer 2

I'm just getting back into showing with my new pup!  I'm finding it very enjoyable.  I think at this time because I'm not taking everything everyone says to me quite so much to heart.  There are still the die hard's out there but there always will be. :)  

I'm not looking for the same kind of gratifications I did when I first started out.  Now this doesn't mean I don't like to compete and win by any means but it is just different now.  Maybe because I'm older and more able to separate constructive criticism and dismiss the petty stuff. You know what I mean.

I am enjoying it much more now!  

Answer 3

As far as participating in shows, I couldn't be bothered with the grooming required. But, in general, I think shows are a great way to expose people to proper examples of their chosen breeds.

Answer 4

Well, having Border Collies, I am against dog shows. The people who are breeding show type Border Collies are taking the work ethic out of them.  

I find dog shows very boring, but that's just my opinion.  Nothing like watching your dog doing what it was bred to do, hunting, or whatever the dog was originally bred to do.  

As far as goodies are concerned, the best reward we can give our dogs, is sheep, not food.  Had a test one time with an intact male BC.  Had a female in heat and sheep.  The dog went for the sheep. I'm seeing some of these show-bred border collies actually leaving the arena/field.

Anyway, just my opinion.

Answer 5

So-so.

Show dogs are actually very very different from the original working dogs, so they have nothing to do with preserving the breed. Some breeds aren't even recognizable between their original looks and today's looks.

Show dogs often have genetic diseases and physical deformities bred into them. Short-nosed breeds can have a lot of problems, some deadly. Short-legged breeds have spinal problems and can become paralyzed. Collies and herding breeds are bred in such a way that their eye muscles can become detached and cause incredible pain and blindness. All of this is for the looks of the dog. Recently german shepherd breeders have bred in an exaggerated curve to the spine so the dog looks nicer when it walks to impress the judge, but they found out quickly that their dogs were having permanent back problems.

There is no way many of these dogs could do the job they were originally bred for.

In my opinion, breeding for show quality is all just a big lie. Its a fashion show and breeders will do anything to win. They inbreed and they cull (kill) puppies that don't fit the standard because its a waste of their money to raise a pup that doesn't have perfect looks.

Answer 6

A good opportunity to see the different bloodlines of one breed. A lot of people take it too seriously though which I find silly, a lot of back stabbing is going on in most breeds.

I do however find dog and breed shows vital to see how a breed standard is kept up and to see how ones own dogs match up.  Sadly a lot of dogs can be seen  ( all breeds) that a poorly bred by ignorant people.

Answer 7

I agree with your opinion 100% I think dog shows are good for both the pets and their owner! A: you can higer a personal trainer, handler, and groomer specialized in these type of events or you can just do all the work your self it's a lot cheeper and it shows you're ready to take full responibility for your pet. B:It's alot of fun for everyone and most of the dogs love to show off what they' ve got fun personality the list just goes on and on, and C: if someone wants a dog but dosent know what to get wacthing dog shows is a great way to learn about all the diffrent breeds.

Answer 8

As an owner/handler myself, I love shows.

However, I do not feel that ALL Champions (or BOB or BIS winners) should go on to reproduce, some can't even pass the health screening. Confirmation Judges only see the outside, and not the underlying genetics. I understand selective breeding helps reduce chances of passing on hereditary issues, but too many people are more proud of those two letters (CH) in front of their dog's name.

A Champion does not necessarily mean healthy!

JMHO

Answer 9

I love seeing well-bred dogs.

I think dog shows are a helpful tool in evaluating which dogs should be bred. Even the most experienced breeders may be "kennel blind" to certain things about a dog they have high hopes for.

I also think that breeders and buyers shouldn't use the idea of a conformation champion as an end-all. If the dog is a breed bred to work (herd, hunt, etc), I feel the breeder should also compete in events to ensure their breeding stock is well-rounded, not just correct in one area (conformation) but lacking instinct and working ability.

Conformation is a great tool, but even a great tool shouldn't be the only tool in the toolbox.

.

Answer 10

You're going to get a lot of "beauty pageant" comparisons, because you are asking a lot of people who have no concept of what dog show judges are actually judging.

Just sayin'.

I agree that type is important -- without breed type, a dog is just a dog. And I believe that dog shows are an excellent venue for learning about your breed, and proving that your breeding program is going in the right direction.

However, I also believe that -- like any competition in which human beings are involved -- the purpose and scope of the dog show can be warped, and the dogs warped, as well. I believe this has happened to the GSD in America; I believe the Bulldog isn't far behind.

I believe dog shows should be used as a tool for breeders, in addition to working their dogs. If working the dogs is not feasible, breeding to the standard an testing your dogs in the ring is necessary.

I don't believe you can learn ANYTHING about your breed and what kind of dog you're supposed to be breeding if you don't do at least one of the two.

I agree that dogs bred without attention to type and structure become warped (often nearly unrecognizable) examples of their breed; this is best illustrated by the BYB and puppy mill-produced purebreds.

Personally, I think dog shows are a great way to spend time with your dogs; my guys love the personal attention and the treats. Then they get to go home, play in the dirt, and pull sleds.

ADD: bzzfly -- thank you for providing a prime example of an opinion from someone who has "heard things" 2nd and 3rd-hand, but has no actual real experience with the subject. The internet and television are no substitute for reality.

Answer 11

I am definitely for them.

Same reasons as you have posted.

It wouldn't take long before all the dogs reverted back to mutts if shows ceased to exist. Don't get me wrong on mutts,  I have three that are rescues and love them just as much as my A.K.C. dogs.

They won't cease to exist because everyone thinks that "my dog is prettier & smarter than your dog"  & I have ribbons and points to prove that fact.  :-)  That mind frame will live long and hardy.

Shows are fun and educational for children, adults and the elderly alike.

I think there is room for improvement and more novice educational type shows in the A.K.C. but they are constantly striving to improve.

It is fun to go even tho you don't have a dog in the "race" because I just love the expressions on people's faces when they win and especially when they thought they were going to win and did not!

It always gives me a leap of faith when I go and see all of the beautiful breeds, their gorgeous haircoats and bedraggled owners and handles alike.  They all work so hard.

What I don't like about the shows held here in S. Texas is they do not advertise them so the general public and go and watch and learn.

Often we don't see anything about a show until it's nearly over.  Then it's all about the winners.  I can tell you from first hand experience that it isn't all about the winners, it's a lot more fun than that.

Here you can barely get a view when the judges pick the "best of breed" etc.

All in all, everyone loves a winner.  And I think they are all winners if they go thru all that work and show their dogs.

Answer 12

i agree...

it is good so healthier  dogs keep breeding!

Answer 13

I think that if your dogs really do enjoy it then that's all that counts, but I have seen some dog shows where the dogs look so tortured and just not like they are enjoying there lives.  Personally I would never put my dog in a show but that's really and individual choice.  I just think that dogs are meant to be free and wild and energetic and being in a show where they have to be so proper and calm is just not right to their nature.  Though again if the dogs have fun doing it then its really great but I just hate it when the poor dogs are forced into doing something that they really hate.

Answer 14

I totally agree with you. It does preserve the dog community and it is just great.

A world without dogs?

I WOULD DIE!