Comments on: Are dog shows hurting dogs? http://www.ohmidog.com/2009/02/04/are-dog-shows-hurting-dogs/ a site for dog lovers Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:21:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Anne-n-Spencer http://www.ohmidog.com/2009/02/04/are-dog-shows-hurting-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-750 Anne-n-Spencer Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:48:41 +0000 http://www.ohmidog.com/?p=5462#comment-750 Ms. Keith has done an excellent job of expressing my own sentiments. Breeding dogs with characteristics that would be fatal to them in nature just doesn't make any sense--for example, dogs that can't breathe properly, dogs that can't breed or give birth naturally, dogs that develop bone or joint malfunctions. This isn't doing any favors for the dogs, and it will eventually lead to the extinction of the breeds (or "breed types") that so many of us love. It should be possible to develop a "form follows function" approach that gives priority to vibrant good health and excellent temperament. Form has to follow function. I also think she's right about the breeders, people who are passionately devoted to one type of dog. I've never known one who was in it for the money. Given the chance, the local clubs that make up the constituency of the AKC could be the antidote to puppy mills. I'd go further and assert that the AKC needs to revisit its registration policies and quit viewing registrations as a profit center. They also need to revisit some practices regarding modifications to the dogs' appearance such as cropping and docking ears and tails. There's no need to do this. I have loved one particular group of dogs, the hounds, all my life. I'd be more than ready to sign on for Ms. Keith's revolution. I think it could lead to salvation. Ms. Keith has done an excellent job of expressing my own sentiments. Breeding dogs with characteristics that would be fatal to them in nature just doesn’t make any sense–for example, dogs that can’t breathe properly, dogs that can’t breed or give birth naturally, dogs that develop bone or joint malfunctions. This isn’t doing any favors for the dogs, and it will eventually lead to the extinction of the breeds (or “breed types”) that so many of us love. It should be possible to develop a “form follows function” approach that gives priority to vibrant good health and excellent temperament. Form has to follow function.

I also think she’s right about the breeders, people who are passionately devoted to one type of dog. I’ve never known one who was in it for the money. Given the chance, the local clubs that make up the constituency of the AKC could be the antidote to puppy mills. I’d go further and assert that the AKC needs to revisit its registration policies and quit viewing registrations as a profit center.

They also need to revisit some practices regarding modifications to the dogs’ appearance such as cropping and docking ears and tails. There’s no need to do this.

I have loved one particular group of dogs, the hounds, all my life. I’d be more than ready to sign on for Ms. Keith’s revolution. I think it could lead to salvation.

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