Showing?

I personally know someone in Am Staff who tattooed the nose of one dog because it wasn't dark like it should have been. Otherwise, haven't seen much weirdness.

As for Tennessee Walkers, don't forget the Saddlebreds as well-- their poor tails and hooves.  Do they still "sore" the fetlocks?  GRRRRR...[:@]

If you have to surgically alter a dog to make it good in the ring then that's probably not a dog you want in the ring to begin with. The DNA isn't going to produce the surgical alterations. As the entire principal behind showing is to "Evaluate Breeding Stock" it kind of defeats the purpose if surgical alterations are needed.

As far as Showing being Cruel to the animals. This is a wives tail told by breeders who don't have dogs pretty enough to enter a ring with. My "Show Dogs" Live their lives just like the "Non-show dogs" on a couch with a bully stick. Sure they take a walk, in a dog park, on a fancy leash on weekends, but that's all it is. In the end they still get their icecream.

I've also heard some rumors about showing. One of the funniest was that Show dogs aren't socialized well...ROFL. Tell me one Pet owner who takes their dogs out every weekend, to a strange place, around strange dogs, to be fondled by strange people. If this isn't socialization I really don't know what is.

As for Tennessee Walkers, don't forget the Saddlebreds as well-- their poor tails and hooves. Do they still "sore" the fetlocks? GRRRRR...

 
Yes. I heard at a championship, the government showed up so noone showed. Luckily, i never showed padded horses so i didn't have to compete with that. It's so obvious when you're watching them who has been sored and who hasn't. A lot also do a pressure shod.

I've also heard some rumors about showing. One of the funniest was that Show dogs aren't socialized well...ROFL. Tell me one Pet owner who takes their dogs out every weekend, to a strange place, around strange dogs, to be fondled by strange people. If this isn't socialization I really don't know what is.

OMG, that pisses me off SO MUCH!!! 

So Kenya has some fear issues that have NOTHING to do with her being a purebred or being a show dog, but when people find out she has some fear issues and that she has her show championship, they give me "yeah you know that's how purbred show dogs are.  They're so high strung and have poor temperaments b/c they are so purebred."  Um...wha?!?!  Actually, my dog has a lovely temperament.  She has never barked at, lunged at, or even tried to sniff the butt of another dog in public without my say so.  Same for strange people and kids.  As a German Shepherd should be, she is completely indifferent to everything unless I say otherwise.  If anything, years of being parading in front of crowds and fondled by strange men has done wonders for her temperament!

Speaking of dirty dogs in the ring check out these pics.  It was in Jacksonville a while back.  Dogs had a blast though they went straight to the tub every night at the hotel for a rinse.
 
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[link3/jww/Saturday/Excellent_12/b04b1229.htm]http://www.gcpix.com/P&3/jww/Saturday/Excellent_12/b04b1229.htm>http://www.gcpix.com/P&3/jww/Saturday/Excellent_12/b04b1229.htm]http://www.gcpix.com/P&3/jww/Saturday/Excellent_12/b04b1229.htm[/link]
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ORIGINAL: Liesje

I've also heard some rumors about showing. One of the funniest was that Show dogs aren't socialized well...ROFL. Tell me one Pet owner who takes their dogs out every weekend, to a strange place, around strange dogs, to be fondled by strange people. If this isn't socialization I really don't know what is.

OMG, that pisses me off SO MUCH!!! 

So Kenya has some fear issues that have NOTHING to do with her being a purebred or being a show dog, but when people find out she has some fear issues and that she has her show championship, they give me "yeah you know that's how purbred show dogs are.  They're so high strung and have poor temperaments b/c they are so purebred."  Um...wha?!?!  Actually, my dog has a lovely temperament.  She has never barked at, lunged at, or even tried to sniff the butt of another dog in public without my say so.  Same for strange people and kids.  As a German Shepherd should be, she is completely indifferent to everything unless I say otherwise.  If anything, years of being parading in front of crowds and fondled by strange men has done wonders for her temperament!

 
I know. I hear it too. I'm not sure about GSD standard but Cockers Standard specifically mentions that they are to have a "Merry" Temperament. In the ring there can not be an Timidness, Shyness, Etc. It is serverely penilized if so, You can even be Excused or DQ'd.
 
Again, if you search back to find out WHO told them that, It usually goes back to some breeder who doesn't show or try to better that particular breed in anyway! These are the excuses they feed poor innocent pet buyers, along with the reasons why they don't health test, don't wait till they are 2, and why their dogs live outside in HUTS! LOL. You get the point... ROFL!

ORIGINAL: DumDog

this was pretty pathetic.... but i didnt classify it as abuse lol unless you count it as abuse and slave labour on behalf of the handler []

she walked all the way across the fair grounds with this dog on her shoulders. and she was a lil bitty thing too!!

HAH!  I've shown with her.  LOL!  It's a small world in the AKC ring.  She's a professional handler, one of the better ones too.  She shows the #1 PH in the country Bek.


ETA:  Response to the OP:

I have not seen what I would consider abuse, other than rough handling.  The dogs are certainly socialized and confident, that's one of the things that makes a good show dog.  If you want to consider it abuse, the dogs do spend a bunch of time in their crates-and some dogs are not fed the day of the show so that they concentrate better on the bait.  (If bait is allowed-some judges do NOT permit baiting with food or toys!)

Tell me one Pet owner who takes their dogs out every weekend, to a strange place, around strange dogs, to be fondled by strange people.

*raises hand* But I'm a freak[] And she's about to be a show dog! Well, just Rally, but still!

Ed, is it weird to not feed dogs before big, nervous events? I've never fed my dogs before long car rides, obedience classes, or vet visits. I imagine I won't be feeding Emma before I show her, either.

Ed, is it weird to not feed dogs before big, nervous events? I've never fed my dogs before long car rides, obedience classes, or vet visits. I imagine I won't be feeding Emma before I show her, either.

I find it weird, but then again I don't consider it abuse to withhold food for a few hours.  Heck I don't feed Xerk after a walk until I'm positive he's calmed down, and when we're showing I do lessen the size of his pre-show meal.  Mostly because I don't want him having to poo in the ring.

ORIGINAL: AineCockers

I've also heard some rumors about showing. One of the funniest was that Show dogs aren't socialized well...ROFL. Tell me one Pet owner who takes their dogs out every weekend, to a strange place, around strange dogs, to be fondled by strange people. If this isn't socialization I really don't know what is.

 
I do it all the time at the foster dog showings at Petsmart and Petco.  My residence dog often attends as an ambassodor.  Since this is a public showing, I think I'll start giving out Best in Show blue ribbons.  []

I don't consider it abuse to withhold food for a few hours.

Gosh, me either, LOL. I fairly routinely fast my dogs. Any time they eat something weird, or start to get sick, they fast. Occasionally, we all fast together, for the sake of fasting and giving our bodies a break.

I find it weird, but then again I don't consider it abuse to withhold food for a few hours.

 
I don't feed my dogs the morning of an agility trial. Just don't want them to be running on a full stomach.  They more than make up for it with the treats after the run though.  Also I don't eat before the run.  I can't run on a full stomach.  I wait until we are done for the day.
 
 

I give the fosters a light meal before the showings.  Won't look good for the dog to throw up because of an empty stomach.

I should mention, in regards to my not feeding before stressy events, that Emma is borderline carsick. She always turns "green" on car rides, though she hasn't vomited since puppyhood. She won't eat anything in or near a car, even ice cream.

Nopw, haven't seen any abuse.  Some handlers are rougher than I approve of, some dogs are crated quite a bit.  They get a lot of baths. 
 
Beau was fed lightly before showings.  The last show I went to this summer, I swear half the papillons took a dump in the middle of the ring.  It was insane!  Then it gets all caught in their breeches.  [:'(]
 
Here's some glimpses of dog showing 'behind the scenes'.  LOL
 

Sleeping in crates between shows.  The borzoi looks comfy.
 

Grooming
 

Waiting ringside
 

More grooming...
 

Eating treats...
 

Just hanging...