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Originally Posted by Ladyhawk  I'm still trying to figure out how having a champion can increase profits. Around here champion sired pups don't go for any more than any other pet pups. It cost quite a bit to finish my boy. I did it because I really enjoyed it and he was worthy.
This sport can be very exclusive and cliquie, they don't make it easy for new comers to join in. If you really love it though, don't give up. Go to the conformation class and learn as much as you can. My first mentors (show people who befriended me) weren't even yorkie people. Connor stood patiently for hours while I learned to wrap and I have tons of product that I'll never use. Slowly you'll get to know people and someone may even offer to help.
I hope someone with a big heart takes you under their wing and you succeed. There are too few new people coming into this sport and hanging in there for the long run. The old timers are dying off and with them a wealth of knowledge and experience. Between all of that and the financial straits that AKC is experiencing I fear for this sport. There may not be a strong enough force to fight off PETA and the like to save the sport of dogs much less the breed. |
So true, we should rethink the attitude. If you want to attract and keep people in the show world, you need to broaden your horizons a bit.
Showing a dog is a competition a sport if you like, and yes it is serious to judge the breed worthy qualities of the competitors. But we need to make room and to welcome those passionate dedicated people to the breed who for a number of reasons may want to show, but are either indecisive about getting into the show world, or just want to have a CH on their beloved dog, and not do one thing to breed him/her. Or who have agreements with their breeder to show, maybe breed once/twice, and then retire the boy/girl.
There are many variables involved.
It is clear to me that the reputable registries are facing challenging times. And those times affect all of us be we, breeders, fanciers, pet owners, et al.
In fact wouldn't it be rich if AKC passed a requirement that all HVB must secure AKC Ch's prior to breeding their dogs and registering their litters
