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Originally Posted by maggiesmom_2007  I agree, Most of the breeders I know they wrap their dogs coats and put a wrapping jacket on the dog and the dogs are not restricted in anything. Think of it this way women put curlers in their hair and they still do other things. Anyway there are some that do keep their dogs restricted just like there are some who do whatever it takes to get a title on the dog they are showing, but not all of us are like that. |
Exactly! Every show dog I've known has a great life and are very much terriers.
It's not most show breeders who cage...it's the ones that breed for titles instead of bettering to the standard. In my experience they are def the
minority to the ones who treat their dogs as pets and let them be dogs and rule their roost.
But there seems to be an ax to grind with show dogs...
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Originally Posted by Woogie Man I saw the video earlier. It's interesting. I have to wonder what inbreeding co-efficient those foxes had and how much (if anything) that had to do with it.
What I've asked in this thread is if the American standard is too vague and if that vagueness could lead to loose interpretations of the standard that could affect the breed over time.
Something I've noticed is that a Yorkshire is not fully mature at the age at which many are being championed. Most here would agree that the coat doesn't mature until 2-3 years yet many dogs are championed at just over a year. How would some of those dogs fare if judged at 2-3 years? Would the coat still be the correct color? Would the proportions of the dog change? Does the standard apply to a 15 month old dog the same as it would for a 3 year old?
I can say that my dogs definitely show quite a few changes between those ages. Early on, they show more snout and look a little 'lankier' until they hit the 2 year+ mark. Then the skull fills out and the nose looks more in proportion and they fill out and lose the lanky look to the body and are a more balanced dog overall. I think they would stand a better chance in the ring later rather than sooner.
I know there are some dogs that have long show careers and win for several years. I wonder if some of those championed early on would do as well later in life. Obviously for dogs shown in the puppy class allowances are made for the age, but for those in the 12-18 month class, are they judged the same as a veteran dog? If so, isn't that mis-applying the standard and couldn't that affect the breed's traits over time? I don't yet show so these are just questions I have, but are things I wonder about. |
Great thread- sorry to take a bit off topic.
Back on track...
I do like some of the specifics of the KC standard compared to the YTCA standard. It's hard in our standard with all of the "not too"s.
Very interesting point with the puppies. I didn't show in conformation until my girl was 2 years...she did very well and I liked that she had full coat. But I think puppy classes ARE judge a bit differently bc their coats (faces) haven't cleared but they aren't faulted for it since they're young and still clearing.
ETA I don't really see that as a mis-interpretation of the standard because it says they're born black and slowly clear to their adult colors. I guess the big question is WILL they clear, and I think most of them do.