Well, I'm not a breeder or show-er, but I am a fancier of Welsh corgis. The
herding group and working group ARE judged according to the original intent
of the breeds. In other words, a retriever should still have a "soft
mouth", webbed toes, etc. A herder like corgis needs to have good balance
in their confirmation--necessary for maneuvering quickly while working the
flock or herd. And the judges will say that the dog who is "on"--meaning
having a magnetic personality--wins over a comparable dog who is timid or
bored. With Pembroke Welsh corgis, a timid personality is grounds for
immediate dismissal from the ring. I'm not defending the dog industry, just
replying to your assertions in your email...
Whitney
and Kiss Me Kate (Katie) (spayed, BTW :-} ) (the dog, not me)
(Well, OK... me, too!)
----- Original Message -----
From: Samantha Sly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 5:19 PM
Subject: Re: Selling/Giving Away Gerbils...?
> In a message dated 1/13/00 9:57:41 PM Central Standard Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
> << Well... I'm not 13.. (16 1/2) but I plan to own pomeranians after
> college, and show them. The breeding thing would depend upon too many
> factors to list. I do however have an unofficial pom mentor who I talk
> to for a few hours on the phone every few weeks and I've gone to a show
> with her. (I'd go to more, but she finished her Ch. last summer and has
> no puppies to show. ANd I don't want to have to find my way on my own
> LOL) Showing dogs is a lot of fun, really... I'm on a pomeranian list
> and it's great to see how caring the breeders/exhibitors are and how
> they enjoy having fun with their dogs (and alot of the dogs love it too!
> You should see the "smiles" they have on their faces in those show
> pics... the poms anywya... they love showing off.) Alot like gerbil
> people actually. >>
> Yeah, I know--the only thing that seems silly to me about shows is judging
> dogs by deciding what the "perfect" dog is (in appearance). I suppose I
> could uderstand it if the dogs were judged more on how well suited they
would
> be for a specific job, but when I see things like "Show dogs are usually
> larger and taller than dog used for working" it seems like that isn't
really
> what shows are getting at. I suppose searching for a "perfect dog" in
> appearance and name alone isn't really very appealing to me. (Part of it
> might be that the only dog I can actually remember well is a mutt who
isn't
> allowed in most shows!) I do understand the need to be able to go to a
show
> to show off your pet and be able to talk with other people who actually
know
> what they're talking about with your said animal. : 0-), All the above
> reflects kinda how I feel about any animal shows, really, not just dog
shows.
> That's one reason I was happy to see a pet category listed for future
shows
> in the AGS's standards... Now, if someone could come up with a way to
judge
> personality in a show, that would be awesome! Although I do realize that
> would be really hard, especially in a show ring setting where an animal
might
> not feel at home or comfortable enough to show its inner personality.
