Have you ever been to a dog show?
Dog Shows are so cool. Disclaimer: I've never showed dogs, so the specifics are a bit of a mystery to me. But I HAVE been to dog shows, seen the action inside the ring and talked to the owners of these canines.
It's pretty exciting. So many gorgeous dogs of all sizes and shapes; all with different jobs. The American Kennel Club, for example, has 193 recognized breeds, with more breeds added every year. Dogs that you just don't see every day so it's super fascinating to watch and learn about them. And usually, dog owners are more than willing to talk about their dogs and breeds.
What I have learned is this;
1) A dog has to be purebred, registered with the registry of its breed.
2) To be successful as a show dog, they have to have the characteristics that are valued by that particular breed. Breeders spend years trying to improve their dogs. They search for just the right combination of parents with just the right traits to make their dogs the best representatives of the breed.
3) They have to have good manners. They need to accept all the activity around them and the judge examining them without nipping or other bad behavior. They need to "stack"; standing in a formal position with front legs slightly apart but next to each other and back legs slightly apart but next to each other. They need to "heel" and move on leash willingly. They need to be upbeat and energetic.
4) Some dogs just need the basics to be ready for the ring; bathed and nails trimmed. Others need a lot more prep. They might need extra brushing. Or a special hair cut. They sometimes use clothes or towels to help their coats look just right. It can take several hours to have them ready for the ring. Sometimes, the prep continues the whole time between shows as well. Talk about time consuming.
5) They are judged by judges who are familiar with their particular breed and the desired qualities. One dog is selected as the best in breed. That dog is then judged against the best of each other breed in their group. The best of group is then judged against the best of each other group to get that one Best. In. Show. Getting Best in Show is a very high honor and much celebrated. Quite an addition to a resume for a breeding dog.
6) The goal of showing is ultimately to produce generations of dogs that are increasingly better at what they're supposed to do. The show winners are valued for their contribution to the breed. Without their contribution, we wouldn't have border collies with such high level herding abilities or weimaraners with such great hunting abilities.
