I use to think showing was a frivolous thing, somewhere for people to "show off" their dogs, much like a beauty contest. I have since learned that it's very difficult to properly evaluate ones own dogs, every pet owner thinks their dogs are cute, but there's so much more in evaluating a dog for breeding purposes. A person can learn a little about what standard is by reading the breed's standard, but to thoroughly learn what great structure is, you really need to be around dogs who have great structure, seeing them walk around the ring gives you so much information on what a proper yorkie should look like. Showing also allows you to meet other breeders who can help teach you more and even find dogs that might improve your line, if you have taken the time to learn how this is done. I get the impression that some breeders think just breeding a show dog to their line will improve their line, however this is just not true. Also, the yorkie attitude is a very important quality in a yorkie, and going to shows and seeing this is person is the best way to understand what this means, many dogs who have the looks just don't have the proper attitude, and this is such an important part of the yorkie. Showing is about preserving and improving the breed, I think it's impossible to be a great breeder if you don't show, it's too easy to develop "kennel blindness." |