AKC dog registry welcoming coonhounds to purebred world

Wilmington Star News ^ | 7/10/06 | Coke Ellington

[the OlLine Rebel]

I know this is late, but.....EXCELLENT point. All they need do is be small and "look pretty", literally - if you think that's pretty.

So, let's remove all "lap dogs" from competition and recognition, since they have no performance requirement - including how their bodies are shaped. The only thing is a height/weight requirement.


Problem with AKC is EVERYONE emphasizes the conformation, and does nothing else. And conformation can be abused to fit the ridiculous notions of the petty power elite (as it has been in GS), even with a reasonable standard.

[AnAmericanMother]

Cats don't yap.

( . . . says the Siamese cat fancier. When I got my first Siamese, I asked my vet, "How will I know when she comes into heat?" "You'll know," replied the vet. I knew. So did all the neighbors. . . )

[the OlLine Rebel]

I like Pugs. They're like tiny Mastiffs with those buff sturdy bods, in the same color and look.

[brytlea]

Oh the trouble you would start on a pekinese list!
Of course, the bottom line is, yes, why have it, but also, why care if other people do enjoy competing in that venue?
susie

[brytlea]

I agree about pugs, and have noted the same about papllions. Not all small dogs are yappy little tyrants. Most are what their owners make of them. I actually owned an Italian Greyhound. Weird little dog (I got him as an adult) but actually quite nice to have around.
susie

[brytlea]

Like most broad brush statements, yours is false.
susie

[AnAmericanMother]

I like Italian Greyhounds. There's one in our neighborhood, and we meet him pretty regularly on walks with his owners (a couple of Aussie transplants). Enzo is a cutie and very fast and athletic, and he and Shelley get on like a house on fire. Of course he can run circles around even a very fast Lab like mine -- there's a convenient polo ground near our house where we can let the dogs really open it up, so long as the ponies aren't using the field.

I do worry about the breed's fragility - Enzo looks and feels like he would shatter if you dropped him.

[HairOfTheDog]

That yapping has a purpose... It does let you know when the doorbell rings. Maybe you didn't hear it, over the yapping :~D

[the OlLine Rebel]

What are the stats for all the competitions? # of Champions vs. # of CDs? Conformation greatly outnumbers the others (for 1 thing, it's easy compared to performance). Always has, always will. And people - both regular Joes and in-the-knows - are most often most impressed by "Champion" which means conformation.

[AnAmericanMother]

My Lab does a good imitation of a crazy 100 pound Rottweiler when the doorbell rings. She sounds like Cujo. Growls, snarls, great big roaring barks.

Of course, once you open the door all she wants to do is fawn on the caller, try to kiss him, and grin all over her cute little face.

[brytlea]

I have a friend who has a couple of IGs. She has had one break her leg jumping off the sofa. If I were involved in the breed, this would be a concern to me. BTW Rambo was certainly speedy. The dogs would all play in the back yard and he would just run around them in circles! It was pretty hysterical.
susie

[AnAmericanMother]

My smallest Siamese cat is about the same size as Enzo. Not only does the cat weigh a lot more, but when you look at the leg bones the cat actually has MORE bone -- and Siamese are supposed to be a very lean and svelte cat.

This would worry the heck out of me if I owned IGs.

[AnAmericanMother]

Probably why I haven't seen any IGs in agility. Have seen a couple of full size racing Greyhound rescues though.

[brytlea]

You have changed in the middle of the conversation! You said:

Problem with AKC is EVERYONE emphasizes the conformation, and does nothing else.

The stats will not back that up.

I'm sorry you have some sort of issues with conformation competition, but the only thing really, that I can suggest to you, is that you don't participate. There's really no other option (well, other than venting about it, I suppose, but I don't think that will change things).

susie

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Jake's favorite day was Halloween when all the neighborhood kids would come to the door for treats. One ring of the doorbell and he would let out a big "woof." He also liked to lean forward and sniff the contents of each bag of treats...

[brytlea]

I expect that's right. I don't know if there's anything to be done at this point, because I don't know the percentage who actually are fragile enough to break bones. However, I agree, I worried all the time about Rambo. However, he leaped up and down on things, and never did break anything. Wish I had a picture of him on this computer.
susie

[AnAmericanMother]

Tick or treat!

Only Goldens would put up with this nonsense . . .

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I love that photo.

[the OlLine Rebel]

What's wrong with a little hyperbole? Only idiots would think truly "everyone" does this or that. I can say "Everyone prefers any carbonated caffiene soda pop but Dr. Pepper." Essentially, that's true! (I still don't know who the heck drinks Dr. Pepper.) Hyperbole just emphasizes the point.

I don't have a problem with conformation. I have a problem with keeping everything truly separate, with no responsibility to other aspects. Put those AKC show Shepherds on a trotting track and you'll find they won't last more than a mile. I'd wager a 1/4mi. (It is NOT an efficient trot.) Having to do some work would make them keep the conformation the way it should be.

[brytlea]

Only idiots would think truly "everyone" does this or that.

Ok, well, it's been interesting, and I've had my say. Since you now resort to calling me an idiot, I'm done.

Good day, ya'll.