I think you need to do some more research Spider...an open show is not a fun charity show but a KC run show along the same lines as Crufts etc just on a smaller scale.
My daughter has fun with her dogs at open shows,champ shows...any show!! Including Crufts...and out of interest my dogs ENJOY it too.

Mine too Archer

there is a long tradition of pitbulls and staffs being kept on chains, but they are not the only breed, working collies are often kept on chains, as long as they get a good period off the chain exercise etc then its not the bad life a lot of people assume it might be.
I dont see why fighting should be brought into the topic, not everyone who has the irish type of dog is into fighting, some people just like to visit the sites to get info and read about the history of their breed

well maybe I do need to do my homework then archer, but as Im not a show goer I dont know the correct terminology thankyou for pointing it out for me.
I was referring to the fun shows that are held for all breeds and crosses, usually the entry and prize monies are minimal or the money goes to charity, dogs are not judged to any set standard, that was what I should have said but luckily you were on hand to point out my error

I agree Archer

same old same old

I was just going to say when I was growing up all of the working collies around me lived outdoors some in kennels and some chained in the barn. All were working dogs and were well fed, watered, socialised, exercised and had their fair share of attention. All lived full & happy lives and lived to ripe old ages. They were hard working rugged dogs and some people prefer animals to be like that. Also remember the dog that is brought up outdoors does not know what it is "missing"..

I think people need to do some research before claiming show dogs are poor unwanted animals who live in kennels and only get attention in order to look good in the ring.
99% of show dogs are first and foremost pets who spend every day except the odd show day running in the fields,laying in front of the fire and 'doing tricks' for the kids.Its no different than the 'staffy' debate....the odd person makes it look bad for everyone else but EVERYONE takes notice of that 'odd' person and tars everyone with the same brush.
My boys,as with most show dogs, go out running in the woods ,chasing squirrels,every day.They get treats,lay at my feet,raid the bin etc like non show dogs.
I see peoples pet dogs and the number of them that are fat(and I mean totally obese) , long nails through lack of exercise and coats that have never seen a brush and think how cruel it is.The number of abused show dogs is FAR FAR less than the number of poor mistreated(often through misguided kindness)'simply pets' ...but I guess we are easy targets.

did anyone see the interview on tv of the woman who owned the whippet who won crufts last year?

You say this is OK but think showing dogs is cruel because of the way they are kept???

Ahh the Kennel thing started when Pete brought up how he sees a lot of "Irish" Staffords chained up, nothing to do with KC dogs all living in Kennels...

This is a discussion section, I agree same old same old but remember you lot all preach too about non-KC etc so if you give it you have to take it too.