Working dog or show standard?

[Aquanero]

I am interested to hear from MFK dog owners about this.

I love all the various dog breeds of the world and find researching their origins, history and original purpose very interesting. However some breeds that gain popularity through dog shows as opposed to working trials are bred to be living statues and all but loose there working ability by being bred to and idealized “standard” rather than their ability to preform their original function. Some hunting breeds as an example look completely different if you compare a working dog next to a show dog. It has always been my contention that a dog must be able to at least show a willingness to perform its original function (pass a working trial) before it is allowed to be shown on the bench. Any opinions on this?

 

[AquaticAustin]

What about dogs that serve no purpose other than looking good? (example being English bulldog among many others). But from a medical perspective I am sure dogs that were required to still be able to perform their working functions would be healthier overall, if not in a athletic sense rather a anatomical sense since as you said a dog of the same breed looks very different from show floor compared to a working dog.

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[Aquanero]

Compainion breeds not withtanding a lap dog bred to be a pet only or some of the toy breeds ect would not qualify for this discuession.

A good example would be a Beagel for example. Some of the greatest rabbit dogs I ever saw would be laughed off a show bench where a grand champion in show had no interest in getting its paws dirty let alone hunt..so which would be the better represntative of a breed, bred to hunt rabbits?

 

[harleyboy]

working dog for me.showing just ruins the breed.people r breeding for looks and it is causing health issues and mental unstableness.i like your idea that the breed must pass a working test before the show ring.shutzhund is my favourite.bite work tracking are my favourite part.but i also think we should breed our dogs as close to the standard as possible.

 

[Aquanero]

This is an excerpt from an artical that appeared in "Gun Dog Magazine" back in 2011.

"Everyone knows that story — Irish setters, a hard hunting and respected breed a century or more ago, had been show-bred into tall, gangling, feathery shadows of their former selves, vapid beauty queens with no nose, drive, or intelligence."

This is the full artical if anyone is interested in a hunting Irish Setter. http://www.gundogmag.com/2011/06/03/irish-setters/

 

[Inglorious]

My favorite breeds are non-working and toys so their breed standard is to lay around and do nothing. In fact pugs were bred to be footwarmers for Chinese royalty so technically the show standard is the same as their intended duty.

 

[Aquanero]

If a pug still has the desire to keep your feet warm it's doing is job. A pug that has had the desire of warming feet bred out of it does not perform it's intended function.............lol. The princapal still holds true.

 

[Miguel]

I cannot stand shows and red jacketed judges and everybody running like clowns around the circle.

That, and the breeding mafia that gyrates in those places and do nothing but destroy breeds.

Am all for their intended purpose. Thak God this is still the way dogs are kept on this land.

 

[Miguel]

Now tell me. Who is the happiest, most balanced dog.

Which sleeps better at night?

Which is the one that needs help?




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[Miguel]

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