Dog Shows....Dog Competitions...your thoughts

[knny187]

Who here watches them? 

I can be honestly to say on occasion if one is on...I'll watch for a few minutes.

The Westminster is a real big deal....but they always seem to prefer the foo foo dogs.


On another note...I love watching (probably more than dog shows) frisbee, jumping, & agility dogs.  Watching them just amaze me.  Especially events where it's a combination of speed, agility, & heart.  Pulling dogs are simply incredible too.  It's not always about the size or muscle, but the heart the winner posses.  Purely comes down & shows what a working dog is all about.

Then there's Dog Sled Racing like the Iditarod.  Talk about working with your dogs in a team effort.   Relying on one another completely.  I had always wanted to try dog sled racing at least once.

[Vet]

I personally have no use for "conformation" shows---like Westminster, although I will admit I watch the show if its on TV.  Dog breeds by and large were developed to perform a task.  Because of this, I prefer "working" shows such as hunt trials, field trials, agility work, weight pulling, etc.   

[~flower~]

Alot of today's dogs couldn't even do what they were bred for and have moved far from the original breed.   


   Bull Terrier and how it changed, and an interesting read on what show breeding has done for most breeds:


  http://www.ashgi.org/articles/rosettes_ruin.htm

[Euro-monster]

I'm not a dog show watcher myself but then again it's never on except for "the Crufts" at the BBC.

I was a freakend visitor of dog shows and entered quite a few myself and gotten some good showresults with my dogs( Mastino Napoletano's) but then i soonly found out dogshows isn't always about who got the best looking dog by it breeding standard but more a case of who knows who in the judging ring!

I go occasionally on a annual Mastino dog meet but thats about it these days..
 

[knny187]

Well, after being in a Conformation Show or 2 now...I can say....wow....pretty nerve racking.  I can not sleep the night before.

It sure does give you a great feeling being out there showing.  It feels even better when they win or place well.  It's pretty neat seeing the dog 'finally' understand what the hours & hours of training is all about.

[calmus]

I'd be more interested if the dogs would diet down so that their bf% was in the low single digits.  Also, the dogs should be completely shaved.

[knny187]

they wouldn't place to well.

I actually was advised to slow up on my dog's training, increase his food uptake, & gain about 5 pounds.

[Butterbean]

I'd be more interested if the dogs would diet down so that their bf% was in the low single digits.  Also, the dogs should be completely shaved.

lol

[knny187]

lol

thats not really funny

 


& this is from a douce who starts "who's the funniest on getbig thread"

[calmus]

thats not really funny

 


& this is from a douce who starts "who's the funniest on getbig thread"

Did stella hurt your feelings by not including you in the thread?

[knny187]

Did stella hurt your feelings by not including you in the thread?

I don't want to be included on some dumb poll

half of the real funny people aren't even on it

 

[Butterbean]

thats not really funny

 


& this is from a douce who starts "who's the funniest on getbig thread"

Dang

[MisterMagoo]

i don't know how many dogs are really "needed" in the United States for the kind of heavy pulling and hunting that they once were. these days dawgs serve two purposes: companions and showing. as long as they're healthy and happy, who cares if they can't "work" like they did?

[knny187]

dogs are dogs & just need to be treated as such

Conformation shows are kind of silly if when you step back & look at it

but

How else do you get maybe 20+ dogs together of the same breed to compare the breed standard?

Honestly, what does breed standard really have to do with having a great family member?

nothing

But for dog lovers that like a certain breed (lets say Mastiffs for example)...where can they go & see so many unique different varieties of the same breed?  Basically, the height, weight, coloring can all be a shade off, still fall in the breed characteristics, but all represent a slightly different look.

It's kind of like going to a car show.

Bottom line as Euro mentioned...these shows are usually for bragging rights & breeding purposes.  The best dog may not win the day of the show depending if a judge's pocket is lined.  There's substantial money to be made in breeding.

We're doing it for fun.  So you can imagine how these people might view us or my dog.  Thats why when we go...we say shit, mind our business, & when people try & talk to us....I always smile, act confused, & then say I have to go & it was nice meeting you.

[MisterMagoo]

i might also point out that the advent of the dog show literally saved bulldogs as a breed. after bull baiting was made illegal, most in england were okay with just slaughtering them all, but a few people decided to keep 'em and make them for the shows and... tah-dah. the breed survived.

[calmus]

Dang

Knny's been on a roll the last couple of days. Taking no prisoners.

[~flower~]

 Anyone ever see the show about dog people- funny!  

[knny187]

do you mean a show...or the movie.

The movie "Best in Show" was pretty weird....but can believe it.

[~flower~]

it is a reality show, I forget what channel it was on.

[knny187]

it is a reality show, I forget what channel it was on.

oh

you sure?

[~flower~]

yes, I saw parts of one or 2.  The 2 gay guys (Brandon & Ryan) were arguing over the Chi's in one and the police had to be called - lol!

http://www.bravotv.com/Showdog_Moms_&_Dads/index.shtml

[Euro-monster]

half of the real funny people aren't even on it

 

Hi Knny!...