[HairOfTheDog]

Fine, produce some facts that back up your assertion that hobby breeders (conformation breeders) have done what you stated.

Are you speaking of this post? Are you questioning that these assertions aren't true?

To: sissyjane

That comment is rather irresponsible don't you think?

Not at all! I'll say it again. Show people are responsible for turning many breeds into beautiful idiots!

Labradors, Setters and Goldens that wouldn't know a game bird if it flew right into them. Collies that are dumber than a bag of hair. Cocker Spaniels that are certifiably insane.

And that doesn't account for the structural problems created by show people in many many breeds of all types. Toys that cannot breed naturally and have to give birth by C section. Displastic hock-walking German Shepherds. Great Danes that break down under their own weight and don't have the hearts to power their oversized bodies.

Show people who breed for looks alone have nearly lost the instincts and attributes that made the breeds what they originally were. And I've been there. I showed my lab for a time. If I were in charge I'd require working achievement certificates on conformation dogs before they could be called 'champion'.

I don't know you, and I don't know what breed you show. It could be that you are not to be blamed, but I suspect you've heard these criticisms of what has happened to show dogs before.

81 posted on 03/20/2006 3:01:02 PM PST by HairOfTheDog

Please say I don't have to waste my time on this. It's common knowledge in dog circles that many breeds, including those listed above, have suffered the consequences of short sighted fads and myopic attention to style over substance, including the faults listed above.

Other dog people on this thread have concurred. It's not a condemnation of all breeders, merely a qualification to correct an earlier post that suggested dog show people were the assumed model of responsible breeding, when in fact, there's room for improvement even there, that's all.

[HairOfTheDog]

That comment is rather irresponsible don't you think?

Not at all! I'll say it again. Show people are responsible for turning many breeds into beautiful idiots!

Labradors, Setters and Goldens that wouldn't know a game bird if it flew right into them. Collies that are dumber than a bag of hair. Cocker Spaniels that are certifiably insane.

And that doesn't account for the structural problems created by show people in many many breeds of all types. Toys that cannot breed naturally and have to give birth by C section. Displastic hock-walking German Shepherds. Great Danes that break down under their own weight and don't have the hearts to power their oversized bodies.

Show people who breed for looks alone have nearly lost the instincts and attributes that made the breeds what they originally were. And I've been there. I showed my lab for a time. If I were in charge I'd require working achievement certificates on conformation dogs before they could be called 'champion'.

I don't know you, and I don't know what breed you show. It could be that you are not to be blamed, but I suspect you've heard these criticisms of what has happened to show dogs before.

[sissyjane]

>>Other dog people on this thread have concurred. It's not a condemnation of all breeders, merely a qualification to correct an earlier post that suggested dog show people were the assumed model of responsible breeding, when in fact, there's room for improvement even there, that's all.<<

Pardon me for saying this, but just because other people have concurred doesn't make it so. Why don't you post where you are getting this information from. Where is the study that says show breeders are responsible for breeding beautiful idiots????