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Originally Posted by Teresa Ford  Britster I just went back and read all the postings after the last time I posted here. You are a very thoughtful person. I agree with your ideas about breeding for looks and not excellent health. So many of our pure breed dogs have been 'over bred' for extreme features. Health should be the priority.
I work to change the AKC standards to allow dogs with natural tails and ears to compete in show.
I am praying and hope, the younger generation will be able to change how we judge pure bred dogs in shows. IMO, Health First, Second priority Ability, Can they do what they were created for. Third Breed Beauty. Wouldn't that be amazing ? |
Just to clear up a few misconceptions, dogs aren’t judge for “beauty” and a dog show is not like a beauty pageant. Dogs are judged on how well they fit an ideal breed standard. This covers physical as well as behavioral traits. While other countries have banned tail docking, it’s still legal for working dogs, and this means that working dogs benefit from the safety aspect of docking, a broken tail is a very painful thing, and I hope we study this more before we change standard. Don’t know much about ear docking because it isn’t done with Yorkies although some people think it is. I’m not sure how you would judge a dog on ability, or what good that would do as far as making sure that dog would be a good breeder and could pass good genes? They are judged on behavioral traits, for example a certain confidence and cockiness, which I love. What is the ability that you think they should look for in a Yorkie? I understand that at one time they were good ratters, but what’s wrong with having a dog that a great companion?
Totally agree with you on the health issue, there is no doubt this is the most important thing to me. I do want to add that the official standard for the Yorkshire Terrier has caused no known health problems, and this is untrue of at least 5 other breeds. Everything from colors, to wriggling skin to overly short muzzles and extremes in body styles has caused numerous health issues. The main problem we have Yorkies is due to their popularity, and people are breeding them who have no real interest in the breed or their health problems.