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Location: Co. Durham, UK
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,213
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Originally Posted by
Hali
To be honest, I think most of it is down to misconception.
I admit that before I joined Dogsey, I didn't know anyone who showed and I had very prejudiced views based on the following incorrect assumptions:
(1) that the dogs are not allowed to be real dogs - no muddy walks, playing etc.
(2) that the dogs were not pets - most kept in kennels with little interaction with their owners
(3) that winning came above everything else and that the dog's welfare and happiness were not considered at all.
I don't know exactly where these ideas came from, except to say that nearly everyone I knew held the same views - so it was sort of self-perpetuating!
I still don't like some of what goes on in the showing world - but you get the same in any dog related hobby/sport etc. and at least I've now realised that what I don't like only applies to a small minority rather than the majority as I once thought.
Great post and very true!
Originally Posted by
Borderdawn
Yes many think that show people are in it for the money, Ive been showing for 23yrs and never bred a litter!!!
I think for those with the dogs best interests in mind they'll always make a loss, it those that churn out several litters a year (albeit health tested) that make the money.......
Originally Posted by
akitagirl
I can only guess that SOME, NOT ALL show dogs also lead similar boring lives? (and I
know they get clipped and caked in make up, also things shoved up their bums or female parts so that they don't leak in the ring!
) I love muddy running dogs outdoors, not pretty ones that walk funny in a show ring with their coats all perfect, looking like they've never seen a bit of wind in their lives, or have an ounce of muscle on their legs! Sure, give me agility anyday...!
Isla: 10% show dog....
90% every day dog....
Nuff said!
Originally Posted by
akitagirl
My friend screamed, pointed then cried then phoned me absolutely distraught! I can't remember what happened to the owners, if they did get disqualified or what...they thought nothing of it and said, 'well, she's on heat!' Like they do it all the time, absolutely sick.
People who take there dogs to shows when on heat should be shot quite frankly. It's unfair on their dog and unfair on all the other males dogs there too.
Originally Posted by
akitagirl
Also, is it the same in the dog showing world as the horsey world always used to be?
Are the type of dog showers who trot their dog up and down in front of a judge just too wussy and unable to train their dogs to do 'the real thing' like agility or obedience?
There was always a lot of friction between the showers and the hunters/showjumpers/eventers in the horsey world-the latter actually being able to compete the fitness, training and skill of their horse, not just tart it up and trot it up and down! a being a lot more fun for both IMO
Isla's Sire is an FCI International Champion, more importantly a Champion of France which means he has to have gained 70% at a field trial. So no, he's no good at "real things" like agility, but he's a damn good gundog.
Originally Posted by
Ben Mcfuzzylugs
I also dislike breeding for looks over working ability
Form follows function, if the dogs are bred for generations to do the job they are supposed to do then people dont have to wet their pants about an angle of a stifle or something
Not all breeds do brilliantly when bred only for working ability either though. Look at the English Springer (no offence to owners of the working type), the majority of the working/field trial breeders appear to be under the impression that just because a dog is fit for function it is healthy. Most working Springers look nothing like the original dog and most of the working breeders don't even bother to health test and they continue to inbreed closely just as some show breeders do.......
Personally I'd prefer an English Springer that looks the part, but can do a days work too. Not a fantastic gundog that looks like a Springer Collie cross and not a fantastic looking English Springer that wouldn't know a Pheasant if it bit it on the ****. But that's just me, putting the breed before my own ego! If only others did the same......
Now back on topic!
I think many people are anti showing because they don't have enough knowledge about it. My dogs are left on the benches from time to time at shows. Some people say they look bored and feel sorry for them. My dogs look bored when I'm doing the house work, does that mean I shouldn't do it (if only!
)? Does that mean that those that don't show spend every waking minute making absolutely sure their dogs are entertained and never bored? No didn't think so! In reality shows are great experiences for dogs if brought up in the environment from a young age and gievn the opportunity to explore the environment (eg not left on the bench for long periods of time).
There are some shocking pet owners (and a I bet they're at a larger pertcentage than shocking show owners if only purely because there's more pet owners out there), there are some seriously shocking working owners/breeders (dogs left in kennels for 23 hours a day to keep them keen to please their owners springs to mind) and there are some shocking show owners/breeders (dogs kept in kennels 24/7 and only given the opportunity to socialise at shows), but that doesn't mean just because the bad exists the good is non existant.
People just need to get a bit of perspective tbh.