They should be called “Shows Celebrating Aesthetics Above All Else, Including Dogs’ Health and Well-Being.” (Though perhaps that name is too long…) Anybody who genuinely cares about dogs wouldn’t value above all else how they conform to certain cosmetic standards, particularly when some of those standards require mutilating the dog (cropping the ears; docking the tails) or involve physical characteristics that cause the dog to suffer (overheating due to overly short snouts, hip dysplasia due to tapered hips, etc.). Then there are those that will put a puppy down simply because it doesn’t look right – a ridgeback without a ridge, for example. And, of course, there’s also the general notion that these shows encourage people to breed dogs for profit when we already have such an overabundance of dogs that millions are put to sleep each year. Tppth.
Bargrove over 10 years ago
See movie: “Best of Show” to be convinced
Plods with ...™ over 10 years ago
They are very committed …. or should be.
fishbulb239 over 10 years ago
They should be called “Shows Celebrating Aesthetics Above All Else, Including Dogs’ Health and Well-Being.” (Though perhaps that name is too long…) Anybody who genuinely cares about dogs wouldn’t value above all else how they conform to certain cosmetic standards, particularly when some of those standards require mutilating the dog (cropping the ears; docking the tails) or involve physical characteristics that cause the dog to suffer (overheating due to overly short snouts, hip dysplasia due to tapered hips, etc.). Then there are those that will put a puppy down simply because it doesn’t look right – a ridgeback without a ridge, for example. And, of course, there’s also the general notion that these shows encourage people to breed dogs for profit when we already have such an overabundance of dogs that millions are put to sleep each year. Tppth.
dogday Premium Member over 10 years ago
Yes, Yes, and….YES!