What’s your opinion of dog/cast exhibitions?

Is there a point to these shows? To me they are just like beauty pageants. The only difference is that people choose to participate in beauty pageants while animals don’t have a say in the matter. Also, don’t these shows send the wrong message about how animals should be viewed or regarded by people? Do they send the message that only beautiful pure breeds are worth owning? If that’s their objective, then they have definitely succeeded. People pay thousands of dollars to own one of these animals. Breeders, pet shops make lots of money breeding and selling pure breeds while thousands of mixed breed dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters every year, discarded by people who see them as inferior. It’s no accident that shelters carry mostly mixed dogs and cats. It’s owing a pure breed like owning a luxury car? Shouldn’t you give an animal a home because you want their companionship and want to give them love and affection and make them a part of your family not because the animal is a pure breed? What’s your opinion? If you were offered a pure breed and mixed dog “for free” which one would you choose?

What’s your opinion of dog/cast exhibitions?
Seems to me you've answered your primary question and then asked several others. Yes, I believe the exhibitions are much like beauty pageants, but some dogs actually enjoy this just as some people do. Some owners are showing off their dogs because they are proud of him/her as if they were a child with perfect attendance or on the principal's honor roll. Others do this because it is like owning a classic or luxury car. Others do it for money, like agents for models. As far as the mixed vs. pure debate, well, that is an age old debate and much can be said. My opinion is that the propaganda about owning pure breed has drove the cost of them up and left the mixed breeds to be seen as inferior. In some cases, the mixed breeds and rescued dogs are more lovable and friendly and grateful than some pure breed. I own both. Why companionship. They provide me with just as much love, affection and entertainment as I do them. I believe this is the only reason to own any pet. I'd probably choose the "Mixed Dog" as I usually do, but it would depend upon which tugged at my emotional heart the most. Live, Love, Laugh Today
Reply:You know...you asked for an opinion....Jennifer gave you her opinion and it was a good one I might add. She really knows what she is talking about and then you blast her. People who show thier dogs LOVE dogs. It is a fun activity to do with your dogs as well as obedience and agility. You wouldn't show a dog that doesn't like to...that would be no fun. When you see a dog in the show ring with thier ears up and alert..they are having a fun time. As far as breeding, you breed for the best so there are no health issues and to produce not only a dog that fits the breed standard, but also has the temperment to make a good companion. Reputable breeders care about the breed and make choices to better the breed. Why be so one sided when there are always two sides to a story? You obviously don't agree with dog shows, but just because you don't agree with them doesn't mean everyone needs to share the same opinion. It's obvious that you posted that question so you could blast people who had a differnt opinion. If that makes you feel good, I feel sorry for you. Be more open minded and relax...no everyone will think the way you think. Also, many pure bred breeders and exhibitors love dogs in general and many of them own mixed breeds as well and do volunteer work for shelters and rescue organizations. Jennifer is a true dog lover...she would never bash you...she answers questions here to help people and educate them. If you look at her anwers she is always respectful and open minded. You seem to really have a chip on your shoulder when it comes to this subject. It's obvious you will never understand.
Reply:I've owned purebreds that I've shown and mutts. I love both. Showing was a hobby for my son and I. We loved it and so did our dogs. The ones that didn't like it stayed home. There was a family atmosphere at the shows, we got to meet new people, travel and do neat things, like stay at fancy hotels with our dog. We never made lots of money and never bred until we'd shown a long time and learned a whole lot about the process. We bred quality healthy dogs that went into caring pet homes, some were show dogs and all were welcome to come back and live with us any time in their lives. People do discard purebreds as easily as mutts. They tend to get snapped up quickly, or go to rescues for their breed. Check out rescues for different breeds online and you'll see how MANY purebreds go the way of mutts in shelters. There are just too many animals, period. We retired from the show world several years ago and our last sheltie died a much loved memeber of the family at the age of 17 years. These dogs were all a part of our family and were pets first, show dogs second. Mutts can get ids and show at shows in everything but conformation [ breed standards classes]. While there are people who like to fork out way too much money for status dogs, there are many more who only want a loving family pet. Buying from a reputable breeder, gets you a known type of dog best suited for you, a health guarantee, a place for your dog to go should you not be able to keep it. This costs money same as an insurance policy. While many mutts are excellent family pet types, you take a gamble bringing this dog home. They are not free and they don't come cheap as they generally wound up at the shelter for a reason. I find pet shops with puppies for sale very troubling. It is not in the puppy's best interest to be on display in a cage at an important phase in their life when they are dealing with fear issues. Their breeding is questionable, they are monumentally expensive and often quite fragile. Why not just list reputable breeders to contact? The pet shop here does not sell puppies, but will post ads for breeders.


If I was offered either a mixed breed or a purebred, I may take neither or I may take both. I want a dog that suits my lifestyle and needs as it is going to live with me forever, I also want it to be happy with me for the same reasons.
Reply:A show is the primary way a reputable breeder evaluates the quality of their breeding stock. It is a step in the path of breeding only the best, healthiest, animal. The show doesn't have much to do with "beauty".





Each breed has a document called the breed standard. It is the blueprint of what the 'perfect' animal will look, move, grow and behave like. Since there's no such thing as perfection, it is the goal all responsible breeders strive for continually. The breeds are not judged against each other, but against this standard of perfection.





The difference between a mixed breed animal and a purebred one is predictability. With a pure bred, you can predict things like size, temperament, and grooming needs. Some people need to know those things about a dog before they can bring it into their family as a pet. Imagine you had allergies and wanted a dog. If you know that a certain breeed is known to be less likely to shed and aggrivate allergies, wouldn't you be more inclined to get that breed? Or if you have a small home, and you can predict that the dog will only be maybe 12" tall and 10 lbs, wouldn't you rather choose the one you know is going to fit rather than gamble on a mix that might get as big as 20" and 60 lbs?





As for breeders making money off dogs, a reputable breeder is a lot more likely to LOSE money. Not only do they have show costs, but they test their breed for genetic problems that can occur in their breed. They don't breed to just any member of their own breed, but research which dogs to mate that will be likely to produce a puppy better than they themselves are, as they strive for perfection. (There's that 'predicability' thing again) That all becomes costly. Petshop breeders and those who don't educate themselves are the ones that make money, but then they are also the ones producing dogs that wind up as shelter statistics because they don't make the efforts to breed the best animals or assure they only go to the right homes, and unlike reputable breeders, their puppies are not required to come back home for any reason if the new owners can't keep them.





If someone offered me both a purebred and a mixed breed animal, I would take the one that was most likely to fit into my lifestyle regardless of heritage. I have both my show dogs, my rescue dog, and my chow mix, and they are all the greatest dogs in the world.





Added: Hmmm. I wonder why you are so vehemently defensive? Have you had a bad experience? Did anyone here attack you over your question? I feel I answered your concerns in a professional, courteous manner. Do I not deserve the same?





As for breeders "experiementing" and creating monstrosities, such as three legged dogs and such, can you give me verifiable examples? I've never seen or heard of any such thing.





If you read my answer carefully, you'll remember that reputable breeders test their dogs tp PREVENT genetic problems. How is this a bad thing? And remember, they STRIVE to make the perfect dog, KNOWING it is NOT an attainable goal. If the perfect dog is healthy and can do its job without wearing itself out before it is old, and you are doing your level best to create that healthy, well-balanced dog, how is it a bad thing? Reputable breeders also take thier own offspring back regardless of reason if the new owners no longer want it. They take responsibility for the life they created forever. How is that a bad thing? Ever have an owner of a mixed breed litter do that?





I am especially baffled by your statements insisting a reputable breeder makes money or should, and if they don't, they shouldn't do it. If you love something so much you are williing to lose money to protect its future, how is that a bad thing? What's YOUR favorite hobby? Do you make money at it, or spend money on it? Do you like to golf? Read books, watch movies, walk in the park? Ever make money doing it? I don't mind spending a ton of money on my dogs because I do it for love, and in hopes of making the future of my breed in specific, and dogs in general, better. How is that a bad thing?