Have you ever entered a pet in a show?

Ralphy1

Ralphy1

Well-known Member
With the big, annual dog show just concluded I wondered if you have had a pet that was so special that you entered in a show...
 

Many years ago, I showed my first Standard Schnauzer as a puppy in both conformation and obedience trials. I trained him, groomed him, and showed him myself. I did it because the breeder requested that I do it. He did well, earned a few ribbons, etc. I stopped showing though, I didn't like having to put the dog through all that stuff, it meant nothing to me and wasn't my thing. I had a full time job, and couldn't see traveling anywhere either to attend shows in different states, I didn't have the time or the money to waste. It was an experience for me, he showed well, but that kind of life isn't for me or my furkids. I had no interest to use him for breeding either, so there was nothing drawing me in to that life.
 
fureverywhere said:
It's like putting kids in beauty contests. I don't need ribbons and trophies to know my critters are perfect the way they are. :D
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I agree. I particularly don't care for people who hire others to show their dogs, they're out for the win, not necessarily what's good for the animal. I also didn't like what I saw, even attending local dog shows as a visitor over the years. There's a certain amount of passive abuse going on, IMO. Being very strict with the dog, locking it up in a cage until the hours pass by where he has to go into the ring, the excessive grooming and harsh tones that I often overheard.

I'm too much of an animal lover to really like what goes on in dog shows, rodeos, circuses or anything where people use animals for their own selfish gains. I can see just taking your dog some weekend for a local fun trial, or doing some agility training for fun and exercise....but people even overdo those things to the point of hurting the dog's joints, etc., working them too hard, making the win more important than the well-being of the pet.

Don't get me started on the kid contests Fur, that Toddlers With Tiaras show really turned my stomach, especially when they dress those poor kids like streetwalkers, using makeup, botox and surgeries on them.....sick parents, IMO.
 
SeaBreeze said:
I agree. I particularly don't care for people who hire others to show their dogs, they're out for the win, not necessarily what's good for the animal. I also didn't like what I saw, even attending local dog shows as a visitor over the years. There's a certain amount of passive abuse going on, IMO. Being very strict with the dog, locking it up in a cage until the hours pass by where he has to go into the ring, the excessive grooming and harsh tones that I often overheard.

I'm too much of an animal lover to really like what goes on in dog shows, rodeos, circuses or anything where people use animals for their own selfish gains. I can see just taking your dog some weekend for a local fun trial, or doing some agility training for fun and exercise....but people even overdo those things to the point of hurting the dog's joints, etc., working them too hard, making the win more important than the well-being of the pet.

Don't get me started on the kid contests Fur, that Toddlers With Tiaras show really turned my stomach, especially when they dress those poor kids like streetwalkers, using makeup, botox and surgeries on them.....sick parents, IMO.
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You're right about the 'passive abuse' SeaBreeze. In horse shows, they want them all polished and sleek as can be and in order to get that, they're pulling out the clippers to get the whiskers and inside their ears....and in order to make horses let you do that to them, they usually are using a twitch on their upper lip/nose. Because I was like green, green, green (and now I'd say just plain stupid) I let the trainer do that to Sierra just one time, but later I tell you I had a 'light bulb moment' and never let it happen again.
 
I've never entered any of my own pets in a show, but I try to attend the local Park Rangers and Fire Department's annual Love Our Mutts competition here. Entry fees are nominal, and food and beverage vendors are encouraged to bring their wagons, BBQs, and portable kiosks, with proceeds going to the fire victims relief fund (vendors donate a % of their profit). All dogs are welcome, and there's a lot of categories, so just about every pooch can win a category. All are presented a participation award.

One year, because this one kid didn't have a dog but he did have a turtle, they invented a "dogs who look most like turtles" category. Prizes are donated by local merchants. It's a casual, family-friendly event, and a hoot for spectators and dog-owners alike.
 

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