Again,I agree with Julie.We got into the showing circuit purely by accident.Having had dogs for over 26 years,initially GSDs,we were too nieve and unsure about the whole showing circuit and basically thought we would be total pants at it.But since having the Mals we took the plunge and have been showing for 1 1/2 years.Its great socialisation for both the Woos and us humans.We have learnt loads,and is a great way to catch up.On the whole the dogs enjoy it,and when Kira showed signs of not enjoying it so much as a puppy we waited until she was older.Our eldest hated crufts last year,he was so bored,so we will probablay leave him at home even though he has qualified.The dogs welfare comes first.They are firstly family members who enjoy family life,walks,working etc.
I do have concerns about health issues in some breeds,but we can all hope for a possitive healthy future for them.

I am sorry, but your first post is so inaccurate . with a very anti show dog tone to it...so dont be surprised if you receive defensive responses.


Firstly, you would do well to research the RR before you accuse people of breeding these "poor dogs" as far as I know the ridge is there for a reason, and it has nothing to do with showing.. it is down to the fact they are hunting dogs used to hunt and contain the prey of the farmer in the country of origin... the ridge is said to make the dog look more imposing.

Secondly, dogs are not bred for Crufts.... something else it would be an idea if you researched the rules of the showing world... and as you are friends with a show breeder I would have thought , it would already be clear to you.

Thirdly, Dogs are many things to many people, some work, some show, some are pets... they will all lead different lives... some live in kennels some in houses, as long as they are loved and treated well, it is horses for courses.

Most show dogs lead as normal a life as any pet dog.. in some cases better... they need to be exercised to be in tip top condition, they need to be fed on good quality food,

And many enjoy the experience too... those that dont, will be retired from the ring... there is no point trying to drag a unwilling dog round a ring... it will be like flogging a dead horse!!! a dog needs to sparkle in the ring.. it has to show its self off. and an unwilling one wont do that.

There is a saying... you take the best dog home!! and for mos show people this will apply.

Yes there is also the element of the professional kennel who will discard the unsuitable dogs.. and they will have so many dogs they will be confined to a kennel life.. but again.. dogs are very good at adapting and as long as they are well looked after they will be happy.

But for the most part show people and their dogs are healthy , lead happy normal lives and the most important thing is that it is enjoyed by ALL!!

I went to look at some puppies with a friend and the breeder had hundreds of winnings at shows and crufts with er dogs but the back room of her house had 12 cages in like they have at the vetsfloor the ceiling full of dogs. She breeds EBT and SBT her house was spotless and dogs all in great condition. But those poor dogs what life do they have they may do well in the show ring but bet they don't get out much other than the shows.

Jackbox you have said it all. Great post.

Of course there are some less-than-savoury people and some less-than-savoury practices in the world of dog showing. Having said that, show me one area of human activity where such people don't exist. Unfortunately such people reflect the human condition, not the activity they are involved in.
The majority of people involved in dog showing love their dogs as much as any other dog owner (if not more) - as Muddiwarx said, they are simply dogs with a hobby (which most of them adore!). Also, the vast majority of show dogs are also ordinary pets once they are home. Like Gemma (above) we work our dogs in harness, show them, use them to raise money and awareness for Husky Welfare, get occasional work as canine models and love them as pets. Does this mean they have less of a life than the average pet only dog? Of course not - they have a much more varied and exciting life than most and each day brings them new experiences and activities.

Charity work:-




Racing/Working:-




Showing:-





Supermodels:-




and being "pets":-





Mick

I am not against dog shows. I love to visit them and if I had a purebred than maybe I would also show...
But I don't really approve of people with too many dogs, people who see only money in it. I know dogs have to be in top condition and that takes a lot of work but I think that when you have over 30 dogs in kennels, you just can't have great relationship with them...than they stop being pets, instead they become production animals like cows and sheep. Of course you care for them, of course you keep them clean and feed...but less productive animals (or dogs that don't win in shows) and older animals have to go... You can't keep them all.
This only goes for people who have a lot of dogs and show and breed them as a main source of income, NOT for people who only show they dogs as a hobby or if they are breeding but consider their dogs primarily as pets!

But I must admit that I don't like to see small dogs with really long coats being shown (maltese, yorkies) and that is purely because I know someone who shows yorkies and to keep their coat in great condition their hair is rolled up in little paper balls all the time except when showing...And those dogs aren't really walked properly, they only go in the town and on their street sometimes so I don't think they are living full lives, especially when you know how lively and feisty terriers are...

I agree with paw-paw. I think showing is good for breed promotion but when it gets to the extent that the dog's life is affected by it (like the example of the yorkies' long coat) I think that is wrong.

i think that if people are going to make a dog`s life miserable they`ll do it wether they show or not! How many people do you know whose dog spends 10 hours a day alone then the family watch TV all evening? Is that any life?
I`m sure there are some horrible people showing - but there are as many awful people in any other field. At least shows are likely to be full of those who would report abuse.

If I were a dog I think I would choose a show home where I know I would be well fed, well exercised, well trained, every ill attended to immediately, regularly groomed, and above all receive attention all day, every day. Add to this the excitement of going to the show, meeting old and new friends both human and canine, staying in hotels and being spoiled rotten.

Yes, I would prefer that to waiting in an empty house for 8 or 9 hours then having a quick walk before joining the family, if I am lucky, in the lounge to watch TV as a well loved household pet.

Ask any huntsmans if he has a good relationship with his pack of hounds..(up to 30/40 ) he may tell you different.

They have to have a good relationship with there dogs otherwise the dogs would not work for them.

Same as show dogs, even the large kennels will have a repore with their dogs...again,not to many dogs will do well in the ring if they dont trust the handler



Yorkies and such are meant to have long coats , what is the problem if the owner wraps it up to stop it getting dirty??? as long as they are exercised , and are happy , does it matter???

You cant judge all owners of small long coated dogs by the one you know off.

I have a friend who owns and shows a Chinese Crested... he goes in the park , runs through the mud and enjoys life as much as any other... she simply bathes his before a show.. I also know peopel with 3 Yorkie all show dogs, all have a daily run in the park (woods) they sometimes have their coat tied up or will have a body coat on... they are happy, and have as good a life as any other well looked after dog.



Exactly..bad owners are bad owners, regardless of what they do with their dogs.