Showing Dogs.....

[SnowWa]

I've noticed a lot of people getting upset about showing dogs. I seen nothing wrong with this -- and many good reasons for doing this.

I know that the majority of show dogs are also loved family pets. When you hear the narrators at the Westminster Dog Show mention that some of these beautiful show dog's favorite foods are pizza, ice cream, crackers, and chicken sandwiches -- and their favorite activites are going to the lake, playing with the children, and digging in the flower garden, and getting down and dirty, you know they aren't being kept in kennels or crates. Also - they often show short films of these dogs at home playing in the house or outside with their families, children, and other dogs. The majority of these dogs are very much loved, pampered pets.

I think showing dogs is a wonderful hobby for many people - and most of these people will tell you that their dogs enjoy being shown.

For sure, the dogs that reach the Westminster or other larger important shows spend more time in the ring than the average show dog might - but these dogs, especially, are usually much loved family members.

There is no reason in the world that a person can't show a dog and still make that's dog's live a wonderful life to live.

They do "strut" around the ring - but after some complaints about this, I have watched carefully and have noticed that the leashes are often lax and even then these little guys strut with their heads held high. It is a posture that they are trained to hold - and I am sure they are very comfortable doing this. How many times have you heard the narrators say, "Look at him, you can tell he's enjoying himself - he's really showing off."

You can also be sure that it's the dogs who take to this regimen readily and naturally and enjoy doing it that are the ones that become the champion show dogs. If they didn't enjoy what they were doing and didn't want to be there -they wouldn't show well and wouldn't win many shows.

I love watching the dog shows. I enjoy seeing not only the different breeds, but seeing the best of these breeds with the dogs being shown having the highest of standards.

I respect those of you who show your dogs and enjoy doing it. You are the ones who make it possible for the rest of us to see and appreciate the high standards of the many different breeds.

Carol Jean

[mustangbee]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

I've noticed a lot of people getting upset about showing dogs. I seen nothing wrong with this -- and many good reasons for doing this.

I know that the majority of show dogs are also loved family pets. When you hear the narrators at the Westminster Dog Show mention that some of these beautiful show dog's favorite foods are pizza, ice cream, crackers, and chicken sandwiches -- and their favorite activites are going to the lake, playing with the children, and digging in the flower garden, and getting down and dirty, you know they aren't being kept in kennels or crates. Also - they often show short films of these dogs at home playing in the house or outside with their families, children, and other dogs. The majority of these dogs are very much loved, pampered pets.

I think showing dogs is a wonderful hobby for many people - and most of these people will tell you that their dogs enjoy being shown.

For sure, the dogs that reach the Westminster or other larger important shows spend more time in the ring than the average show dog might - but these dogs, especially, are usually much loved family members.

There is no reason in the world that a person can't show a dog and still make that's dog's live a wonderful life to live.

They do "strut" around the ring - but after some complaints about this, I have watched carefully and have noticed that the leashes are often lax and even then these little guys strut with their heads held high. It is a posture that they are trained to hold - and I am sure they are very comfortable doing this. How many times have you heard the narrators say, "Look at him, you can tell he's enjoying himself - he's really showing off."

You can also be sure that it's the dogs who take to this regimen readily and naturally and enjoy doing it that are the ones that become the champion show dogs. If they didn't enjoy what they were doing and didn't want to be there -they wouldn't show well and wouldn't win many shows.

I love watching the dog shows. I enjoy seeing not only the different breeds, but seeing the best of these breeds with the dogs being shown having the highest of standards.

I respect those of you who show your dogs and enjoy doing it. You are the ones who make it possible for the rest of us to see and appreciate the high standards of the many different breeds.

Carol Jean

Well said!! I love Show Dogs, when they are in the ring, they look like they love being there. It would be a shame if we were not able to watch the shows on TV. People put a lot of love and time to these very special furbabies. You can spot very happy furbabies at the shows, and very happy owners too.
I have the highest respect to all who really love and care about not only our Yorkie Breed, but all Breeds.

[londonteatime]

Agreed! If my health was better, I'd love to learn to handle and show my bulldog. I've been told by breeders that she is definitely show quality and should be in the ring. I think she'd enjoy it so it's a shame we can't do it.

Crufts is going on now in Birmingham, England. Does anyone know if Best in Show or anything will be televised in the US?

Julie

[reneernc]

Too bad my Scooby isn't up to standards, he would be in heaven! After being groomed, you can tell he knows he looks good and get out the leash...and he prances around just like a show dog....I wonder if he hasn't been watching the show dogs!
With the attention these "show" dogs receive, it would be hard to hide if they were not being treated properly...but as in everything everywhere....there will be exceptions to the rule!

[Angela]

Thank You for this post, I was tired of reading all negative threads about show dogs by people who don't even have one! So if you don't have one HOW can you sit in judgement and say its like this or that? Kissy requires more baths for coat care b/c I let her just be a yorkie with the others, but when she struts in that ring she has a fire in her that she has had from a baby. Her brother, Deacon who I hope to show is 7 months right now, he has the same awesome strut, but has no fire in him..........I hope he will become excited about showing b/c if he dosen't he can look perfect, but the little yorkie in the ring who is having fun and being a happy yorkie will take the prize most every time.

Angie

[SnowWa]

Thanks for your replies. I was sure that a lot of you enjoy dog shows as much as I do.

Carol Jean

[oversharer]

Originally Posted by londonteatime

Agreed! If my health was better, I'd love to learn to handle and show my bulldog. I've been told by breeders that she is definitely show quality and should be in the ring. I think she'd enjoy it so it's a shame we can't do it.

Crufts is going on now in Birmingham, England. Does anyone know if Best in Show or anything will be televised in the US?

Julie

I don't know about this, but I do know a yorkie took reserve best of group!