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Showing, Not as Clear Cut as they Say

Cody

Well-Known Member
The working community has it's own issues as well, type and health can get lost in the hubris. I don't know how many times I have heard well the dog can jump at 6 years old so it's hips are fine... And dogs that are structural nightmares who's owners take some video of them in the yard while they are banging pots and the dogs are barking and call them working dogs. Like in running in a circle in conformation, any dog can be trained to bite a sleeve. Now I am in no way bashing working, I have a huge amount of respect of the dedication it entails. I am just saying it is no more perfect then showing. However these are the only tools we have, so we have to use them to our advantage. I would prefer to see both a conformation title and a performance title on a dog.
 

Duetsche_Doggen

Well-Known Member
I see the same thing with DDBs and it is making me so sad. Judges not knowing the standard are playing a part in ruining my breed. Dogs are winning that shouldn't even be in the ring, then the owners breed on the faults because their dog is a "champion". I wish my breed had never become AKC recognized and I wish they would go back to being "rare".

This is how I feel about Great Danes sometimes, the people in the breed really don't care for them. In fact many would abandon the breed altogether if they outlaw cropping......Betterment of the breed alright.

Conformation is subjective and will always be. Conformation people talk about working dogs being "ugly" but oddly enough its the "ugly" that allowed them to perform. Like 2nd Chance mentioned either your dog can work or it can't. Don't get me wrong I like "good looking" dog but what I like may not be what someone likes. Its easy to change a breeds appearance its been done and continues to this day. However its hard to obtain temperament and health IMO....
 

Cody

Well-Known Member
Absolutely conformation is subjective, is one persons opinion on one day ;) Is a crap shoot really, depends on the judge and what it is they are looking at. In our breed there are very very few "working" kennels... The lines have not yet been divided but are on the way :( It saddens me as I would like to see more dog who can do both, from one field to the next. I agree that being recognized by the AKC has changed the face of the breed and will continue to do so. I am not happy about it, but there is nothing that can be done now but move forward. It is not the AKC that changes the breed, but the breeders who lose sight of the dog and what is important and chase the ribbons. I would rather see more well rounded breeders, breeders who's dogs compete in conformation, working venues, sporting venues and jobs that include temperament assessments then just one area. For me that shows a breeder who is breeding for a well rounded, versatile dog, which in my breed it should be.
 
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Duetsche_Doggen

Well-Known Member
Lol! Cody in my breed there's none at all! :D I was just looking at that the other day. I can search for working mastiff's or type in titles and CC's pop up among the usual GSD, Rotties, Dobies, but I NEVER see any danes. Other than them standing doing nothing.....its a tragedy really.....Even if the working kennels aren't "working" I still see this as a big step compared to the downhill spiral my breed continues to go though. :(

Though with the recent CC's popping up all over the place its safe to say they will be joining the danes soon.
 

Cody

Well-Known Member
Lol! Cody in my breed there's none at all! :D I was just looking at that the other day. I can search for working mastiff's or type in titles and CC's pop up among the usual GSD, Rotties, Dobies, but I NEVER see any danes. Other than them standing doing nothing.....its a tragedy really.....Even if the working kennels aren't "working" I still see this as a big step compared to the downhill spiral my breed continues to go though. :(

Though with the recent CC's popping up all over the place its safe to say they will be joining the danes soon.
True enough :(