Crufts!!!

[Prinsazz]

Ok so over here crufts has been on for the last two days, today and tomoro and I am loving watching it-Dan said I can have my own pets when we get our own house in July, but our rented accomodation doesnt allow us to have them so I have to make do with cuddly toys!!!
What do you think about dog shows? Over here some people have been complaining that it is cruel, but personally I know dogs that absolutely love to show off in that kind of environment

Yay for puppy dogs!!!

[LadyCanine]

I myselt aint a big fan of shows..but it has nothing to do with cruelity or anything like that. They are taken care of like any other dog.

I am more of a working dog person. Show me what the dog can do, not what the dog looks like, and while I agree that you need both form and function, I think in some breeds the shows take it way to far...IE: German Shepherds with their hocks touching the ground. They should have straight backs, not sloped.

However..all in all, whatever floats yer boat...some like showing, some like working and some like neither. So long as the dog is taken care of, I dont care. lol

[halfwaynowhere]

i only disagree with showing on the basis that dogs are being bred to look prettier... A show quality english bulldog bitch cannot give birth naturally, she requires a c-section, because they have been bred to have extremely narrow hips. i think thats a problem... but dog shows are fun to watch on TV, i haven't been to one really, I've been to one when it was being set up, but didn't stay for the actual show... It was fun, though, talking to the people there, and playing with their puppies.

[Prinsazz]

I totally agree about pedigrees, I would love to see a section of crufts for the cross breeds and all the other dogs being represented too. the actual showing isnt cruel itself but I see where you are coming from with the making of the dogs themselves, Im not bothered about the triangles the legs make when the dog runs but more about the happiness of the dog when it is showing.
This is the first year I have really been watching it on tv and am loving it- it is a great way to learn all about the dogs and I adore the agility and flyball!!!

[LadyCanine]

AKC now allows mixed breed dogs in all events except for conformation. Mixed dogs shouldnt be in conformation because well, conformation is to assess a dogs BREEDING quality, and mixed dogs shouldnt be bred.

I do think though, allowing them other areas (agility,flyball, etc) is great cause I think it can promote more people getting out and active with their dogs. And since, even purebred dogs with ILP numbers have to be spayed/neutered to compete (or even get ILP number) then thats no different with mixed breeds of dogs.

As far are conformation vs working goes. I try and stay in the middle. I think you need a combo of both for a good all around dog. I think you cant have one without the other.

Believe me, ive met people who were just for working, or just for showing...it can be a heated debate..so, i'll just stay on the fence.

I do enjoy watching most of the dogs in conformation to, and I LOVE watching agility and flyball. Go doggies go!!! (I was so routing for Sheppy at the AKC agility trials they showed on Animal Planet not long ago. He is a rescue and it was great to hear that he was going to represent the breed at the trail)

[person of shadow]

I love dog shows, I've been to a few myself. I like the shows that have more than just confrimation though. Like ones that have agility too.

I like confrimation shows, Not saying that I like what they are doing to some of the breeds, but I like them.
I love the people who breed to better the breed, not make it worse.

I would love to get my saint bernard into pulling competitions or something like that.(he's not to active, so agility and all that are out)

And my dane is to old to do anything but the easy stuff anymore.

I am taking my dogs to a local show this year.(well at least my dane is going, It depends for the saint if he will get the walking on a leash thing in his head)
But these shows are much better in my opinion, your dog doesn't have to be of showable color, or pure bred. You just have to pick the breed you think it has in it and repesnt it.

[Shanti]

I don't have an opinion one way or another.
I don't know enough about dog shows. I haven't seen any in years and that was on TV.
So I have nothing to base an opinion on. Sorry.