Why Show Dogs. For what purpose?

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by manolos mom

I too thought showing dogs was all about beauty. But there is so much more to it. Good Breeders breed for Structure, Coat, Color and Health. You want a good representation of the Breed in the Ring. Most of these breeders/exhibitors will also sell some of their stock to pet owners. These are the people in my opinion you should buy your dog from. Not a petstore or your friends mom who breeds or even your local kennel. Research is your best tool. Start with the YTCA website and meet the members in your area. You cant go wrong. Now there are people who show dogs that should not be showing. Thats why you need to Research before buying.

I will agree with that. When I purchased my Yorkie, my friend's Mom contacted me on FB and told me that she had Yorkies for sale if I wanted another one. She sells Cavaliers, King Spaniels, Maltese, Yorkies, and sometimes mixes the breeds. I respect her as a person, as a Mom, and she is a wonderful caretaker of these dogs, and I'm not worried about the care of her dogs. However, I'm uncomfortable with the fact that she breeds so many breeds. I don't feel (MHO) that a person can strive to breed to the ideal representation when so many breeds are involved. I'm sure that they are all healthy, which is the most important, but I'm sure they lack in other qualities for their breed.

With that said, I love Khloe. She was sold as a pet, and is perfect in every way except for her ears. But she is perfect to me, and that is what matters. (: Thanks for such an informative thread.

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by jencar98

I think there are exceptions to this Nancy, I'm personally aware of a couple of different breeders that are not showing, I would categorize as good breeders. Now "great breeders" are few and I wouldn't use that adjective for most of the breeders I'm aware of, even if they do show. I believe to be a great breeder takes much more than being committed to showing dogs or even "loving" the breed.

I would prefer a breeder show but I don't think it's absolutely necessary in every case to be considered a good breeder. And, kennel blindness takes place often within the show world, even show people would have to agree I would think.

OP...I am aware of the purpose for showing, it's an assessment of breeding stock.

Agreed. My husband thinks that this kennel blindness that you speak of happens with dogs and horses alike. Many people build a name for themselves, and all of a sudden, people have an assumption that all show quality dogs will produce show quality pups. And with the name, puppies get sold for a higher price margin because of 'who' rather than the quality of the dog. Not all cases are like this, but it does happen.

[motoguy205]

Originally Posted by manolos mom

I too thought showing dogs was all about beauty. But there is so much more to it. Good Breeders breed for Structure, Coat, Color and Health. You want a good representation of the Breed in the Ring. Most of these breeders/exhibitors will also sell some of their stock to pet owners. These are the people in my opinion you should buy your dog from. Not a petstore or your friends mom who breeds or even your local kennel. Research is your best tool. Start with the YTCA website and meet the members in your area. You cant go wrong. Now there are people who show dogs that should not be showing. Thats why you need to Research before buying.

I see your from Texas and you look very familiar... were you at the Hutto show this year?

I agree with you as well... research is always a good idea. It not only gives you insight on the breeder but the breed as well. For Example: Ridgebacks are not as common as some others like Shepard's, labs, and pits... and if considering a breed that you have not had before it is VERY important to research the breed to see if they will fit your lifestyle. For example if you are extremely active you may want to avoid a basset hound... the look of a dog is not always as important at the TYPE of dog: ie, herding, sight, guardian... etc. Anyway... I got off the subject kinda... showing these dogs is always good, as it will help them get socialized too. I have a dog that was not properly socialized (that is her in the pic) and she is terrified of the show... not just getting in the ring... being at the show itself creates a huge amount of stress for her. She is a great example of the breed, but is again, a perfect example of why it is a good idea to do you research. If a dog has made a status of CH or GRCH then the chance of them being properly socialized is better than someone that just has a litter in their garage, to make a buck. It is not always the case though... as my Diva is a perfect example... she has made CH but if you stopped by our home, you would not be able to come within 20 feet of her. She is what I call a "lifer"... she trusts no one but me, and therefor can never be homed. I personally feel she should not be bred either, as I feel that potential families that are looking for a dog should be able to spend time with the parents to see the temperament. You would not be able to do that with her... she will always be my couch potato. Shows are, in my opinion, a good idea. I had false pretenses too... but in the end it is a good time, and you get to spend quality time with your dog.

[motoguy205]

Originally Posted by lizzieg

Agreed. My husband thinks that this kennel blindness that you speak of happens with dogs and horses alike. Many people build a name for themselves, and all of a sudden, people have an assumption that all show quality dogs will produce show quality pups. And with the name, puppies get sold for a higher price margin because of 'who' rather than the quality of the dog. Not all cases are like this, but it does happen.

yes you are correct... when breeders look at money instead of the breed... they will sell pet and show quality pups at high prices. there is a misconsepsion that just because the parents are CH or GRCH will make the pup one too.... FALSE... your dog will be a reflection on how much you put into them...

[salazark]

I believe that there's a bigger picture to showing dogs. As others have said dog shows are to judge breeding stock in order to create dogs that are as close to the standard as possible. Because there are people doing this the breed survives with minimal changes for many, many years. I realize that the standard changes some over the years but if dogs weren't judged what do you think a Yorkie or any other breed would look like by now? I don't believe there would be any individual breeds left. All dogs would be some variation of a mix.

[motoguy205]

Originally Posted by salazark

I believe that there's a bigger picture to showing dogs. As others have said dog shows are to judge breeding stock in order to create dogs that are as close to the standard as possible. Because there are people doing this the breed survives with minimal changes for many, many years. I realize that the standard changes some over the years but if dogs weren't judged what do you think a Yorkie or any other breed would look like by now? I don't believe there would be any individual breeds left. All dogs would be some variation of a mix.

"variation of mix" is correct that is why there is DNA testing done buy the AKC.. to insure that the lineage stays true. The apperance of a dog will change as each dogs parents change, but as long as the bloodline is true they can be shown. It is left up to the judge to interpret what is the closest to the standard.

[deonk1]

When I purchased my dog, I chose to go with a breeder that shows. not because I was buying a show dog, but because I knew that they understood the breed standard, and that they truly care about the breed standards, and producing the best quality dogs as possible. My opinion is if you don't show your dogs you have no real way of comparing and knowing if you are producing a well conformed dog.

I intend on becoming a dog trainer and will focus on agility in small dogs. That's my long term goal. I'll probably begin breeding, I hate confirmation showing (I'm just too bored). but I will do it with my future dogs, just to assure that I meet the standards. I also consider that I will probably only purchase dogs from breeders that do show, that way I know they are stacked up against the best of the best. I don't know it just shows some air of professionalism that I like to see.

[chachi]

It seems only show breeders would know if there dog was a good example of the breed to be breed worthy since they are evaluated. If the dog isnt evaluated by a professional how would the breeder know they are quality to breed. What breeder would be qualified enough to determine that without evaluation

[motoguy205]

Originally Posted by chachi

It seems only show breeders would know if there dog was a good example of the breed to be breed worthy since they are evaluated. If the dog isnt evaluated by a professional how would the breeder know they are quality to breed. What breeder would be qualified enough to determine that without evaluation

All of us have oppinions... and most of us are a little partial to our own dogs whether we want to admit it, or not... by showing, you allow a judge to evaluate our kids to tell us if we were correct in our oppinion... not always what we want to hear but it allows your dogs to begin a record of their own... a comprised tally of wins over time to show that your dog is worthy of the breed standard. I felt my dog Shani was an awesome pick, and the first show she entered, she won best in show puppy. Never had that happen before... but I am glad she was chosen. Allow your peers to deside so the breeder doesn't just assume.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by motoguy205

All of us have oppinions... and most of us are a little partial to our own dogs whether we want to admit it, or not... by showing, you allow a judge to evaluate our kids to tell us if we were correct in our oppinion... not always what we want to hear but it allows your dogs to begin a record of their own... a comprised tally of wins over time to show that your dog is worthy of the breed standard. I felt my dog Shani was an awesome pick, and the first show she entered, she won best in show puppy. Never had that happen before... but I am glad she was chosen. Allow your peers to deside so the breeder doesn't just assume.

While I agree that judges have been trained, I much prefer to take my dog to breeder/judge.

[Lorraine]

I have been lucky to be mentored by a very long time very reputable show breeder. I always still get her opinion of my dogs/puppies I am keeping for show as well as ask a few other very long time show breeders. Actually most of us do that, ask those in the breed that have been in it a very long time and whose opinion we respect.
Even with all that, I have to be prepared to end up spay/neutering a show prospect that is just not turning out to be what I want for the show rings which happens even at the age of 8 or 9 months or older. It isn't easy but that's also part of it.
It also takes a very critical eye to be sure I am not putting something in the ring that could be finished a championship but is not really what I would want out there representing my kennel name. That is where you have to be really careful if professional handlers get involved as you still have to see the championed dog/bitch yourself. A prof. handler can put a championship on a dog or bitch that is not quite what you might expect it to be.
I show my dogs myself, breeder/owner/handler although my last champion, Mandy, was one I had purchased seeing the quality that she is.