How do you feel about dogs shows and why?

Usually show dogs are treated very well. Many of them enjoy it. A dog that does not enjoy it usually does not show well and will be petted out.

On the other hand, the whole dog show scene with its backbiting, infighting, cliques, etc. (I am talking about the people here) is not something I enjoy or would do.

not my cup of tea, just dont find them interesting. Im more of a tech guy.

lol I lived in buffalo new york for most of my life and owned a few dogs while I was there… the cold never bothered them without wearing little booties so I just think it’s kind of silly.

I think that it is sick, and really annoying

The dogs are nice, the people seem kind of crazy though :P

I don’t necessarily think it’s unfair to the animal (many like to “work”) but do think that dog/cat/rabbit -etc shows are working for the opposite goals of the Humane Society and other groups.

People should be adopting, not breeding.

IMO~Instead of “showing” purebreds, the population at large should be shown how lovely a “pound” animal can look after it’s had a nice grooming and healthy food.

It seems like the type of thing only the stuffy rich folk would like.

deeeefffinately misread the question… for whatever reason I thought you were talking about Dog Shoes…. oye….

@Marina my thoughts exacty!

@ABoyNamedBoobs03 I did wonder haha…

lol yeah, I’ve been having some issues today as far as my attention to detail goes, been a long day so far.

I’ve shown dogs, and I can assure you that the vast majority of exhibitors are not “stuffy rich types”!

As for the breeding issues- I have a pretty unique perspective as both a committed animal rights supporter and a dog fancier.

I believe that every dog should be a wanted dog, and every dog deserves to be born healthy. To that end, every dog breeding should be planned, and all breeding dogs should have to pass rigorous health, behavior and conformation exams before being bred. Every breeder should be responsible for his or her puppies for life.

Responsible breeders – who are a tiny fraction of dog breeders overall but a large proportion of show dog breeders- already do this. If all breeders did, there would be no unwanted dogs.

@crisw oh Yay..I’m glad you are here too, always like to keep in touch with fellow Flatcoat fans :)

@crisw Well said. I wish that backyard breeding was outlawed here like it is in England.

@crisw – Great answer.

I raised and showed Shar-Pei dogs for many years. I was considered a back yard breeder because I did not raise my dogs in kennels, but in the house. (Whelping crate in the kitchen, etc.) Even though I only raised 1 or 2 litters a year, many of my babies were show ring winners and wonderful family pets for many people. I never sold a puppy before it was house broken. Never did I have a puppy returned to me for medical or behavior or any other reason, even though that was made clear to every puppy buyer.
crisw is right- many of us who show dogs are not stuffy, or rich, or obnoxious people. Dog shows, especially breed specific (as opposed to AKC) shows are fun, with all of us teaching and helping each other. The people enjoy them and the dogs enjoy themselves.

If you do facebook, there is a picture of me showing one of my babies in my album.

I showed a lot of dogs, my own and others and always loved it. It is like any other group of humans (with or without dogs involved) there are nice normal people and the nut cases as well. Most dogs are treated very well and most enjoy it, if they don’t then they aren’t shown for very long and their owners will find them a good non show home. Everything chrisw said! What breed do you have?

I’m a dog-geek, so I usually tune in if I happen to be watching TV.

I just heard about this show, think it is on your tonight (Thursday???)

ABC Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and investigators from Nightline travel the
byways and back roads of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – visiting numerous
puppy mills and filming Main Line Animal Rescue’s volunteers as they rescue
breeding dogs and puppies from Lancaster County’s notorious Amish commercial
breeding facilities.

People showing dogs is not the problem, stuff like the above is.

@greylady
“I was considered a back yard breeder because I did not raise my dogs in kennels”
I think the opposite is true- backyard breeders raise their dogs in the backyard! They don’t do health testing, don’t show their dogs, breed for profit rather than the good of the breed, etc.

@rooeytoo
I have a flat-coated retriever.

“Most dogs are treated very well and most enjoy it, if they don’t then they aren’t shown for very long”
This is also very true. In order to be a good show dog, a dog must exude confidence and “persence.” In fact, this is one thing that breeders of some breeds which are supposed to be reserved- like the Anatolian shepherd dog, for instance- dislike about dog shows.

@greylady if what you say about your way of breeding is true then I certainly wouldn’t say yuo were anything close to a back yard breed!

@Marina Unfortunately back yard breeding does still happen here in England and it’s not “against the law” as such (although it is frowned upon obviously). People with a decent amount of dog knowledge know that they should be avoided at all costs but unfortunately there are plenty of ignorant people who think nothing of getting a dog from such “breeders” and not bothering to do their research first.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/photo.php?pid=166502&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=1482405809&id=1482405809

When I was raising and showing dogs, a back yard breeder was a “small outfit” as compared to big breeding kennels. Now it seems that back yard breeder means the same as “puppy mill”. I am sorry to see that, as some of us small breeders did a good job with learning genetics, bloodlines, and all the other things a good breeder needs to do right to improve the breed as well as raise healthy pets.