Show dog

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Show dog is not a variety, kind, type, or breed of dog; neither is it a dog trained for a specific skill, as in assistance dog or police dog; rather, show dog refers to any dog entered into a dog show. Often used as a single word (showdog), the term may also refer to a dog in the sport of conformation showing that displays a particularly energetic or outgoing character.

Contents

[edit] Criticism of dog showing

Entry into many sorts of dog shows is restricted to purebred dogs registed with the kennel club or breed club sponsoring the show, and dogs are selected by breeding to excel at the particular sport for which they are being shown. One argument is that the kennel clubs' requirements that breeding be conducted within a breed is tantamount to mandatory, continuous inbreeding as all members of the same breed are related.[1] Another is that whether breeding primarily for appearance[2] or for a particularly desirable working style,[3] too much emphasis is placed on breeding from the few winning stud dogs,[4] causing an already limited gene pool to encounter a genetic bottleneck.

[edit] Dog shows

An American Cocker Spaniel with its ears wrapped to protect the fur in grooming for a show
An American Cocker Spaniel with its ears wrapped to protect the fur in grooming for a show

Dog shows may be held indoors, in horse arenas or other suitably large spaces, or outdoors on groomed fields. Events at which dogs may be shown vary in the requirements for entry and the amount of preparation required. Types of dog shows include:

  • Fun shows: Usually put on by charities for fund raising, these dog shows may offer prizes for costumes or for the largest and smallest dogs entered.
  • Tests and Trials: Dog shows that display a dog's training or natural instincts. They may require a great deal of formal training of the dog, as in obedience trials, or none at all, as in herding tests. Some are entertaining spectator sports, such as Disc dog and Dock jumping, and others are of more interest to the dog than to spectators, as in earthdog trials and hunt tests.
  • Conformation shows: Originally devised for the selection of breeding stock, conformation showing has evolved into a sport requiring specific training for both the dog and handler, as well as precise grooming requirements (depending on the breed being shown.)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Closed Registries, Genetics, and Inbreeding Depression
  2. ^ Blog article: Rosettes to Ruin
  3. ^ Coppinger, Raymond & Coppinger, Lorna (2001), Dogs, A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution, New York: Scribner, p. 251, ISBN 0-684-85530-5  about working Border Collies in Scotland: "dogs that win command premium prices for stud services and puppies. But genetic problems are increasing."
  4. ^ Coppinger, pg 251 "Contestants are eager to succeed, and therefore seek to breed their dogs with the trial winners"

[edit] External Links

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