Dog Breeds: Old vs New, Working vs Show- with many pictures

[HeritageGoose13]

I think dog clubs should give out awards on things other than conformation. They can register all healthy, pure-breds and give awards to dogs who win events, like agility or weight-pulling. That makes more sense to me. Anyone else agree?

 

[collie1470]

They do, but conformation is the most widely known and is generally seen as most important by people looking for "top quality" dogs. A Best in Show or Best of Breed title goes a lot further than a top agility title does, as far as determining the "value" of a dog and pups.

 

[collie1470]

I know the AKC hosts like 20,000 events a year, only some of which are conformation shows.

But money is the driving force for business, and selling pups is a business.

Unfortunately for working dogs, most people don't need or want a hugh drive working line dog, but they do want a purebred.

Because of the high demand for pet only dogs, even in breeds which should just be working dogs, breeders breed out the drive and go for looks. I mean, look at the most popular breeds.....huskies, retrievers, shepherds....those are working dogs, but most are just pets.

 

[collie1470]

I'm a firm believer that if someone wants a pet dog, get one that was bred to be a companion, like so many were....not one that should be doing a specific job. But that's not what people want.

 

[collie1470]

http://www.justfurkids.com/dog_titles.html

Here's a list of AKC given titles that can be awarded. They do a lot more than just conformation....but conformation is the most desired by people looking to buy pups.

 

[collie1470]

(I tried to get the list directly through the AKC, but my phone wouldn't load the oage)

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I don't really care if a dog conforms to a certain look, as long as it is healthy and has the correct working abilities and temperament.

I would never buy a pitbull (you can get them for free since they are so common) but if I were going to...


This dog:



is a lot more impressive than this dog:



I don't know anything about the second dog's health. The first dog I know has stamina at least.

 

[collie1470]

I wholeheartedly agree. But, most people don't know much of anything about dogs :/

Look at how many people think there are "toy chihuahuas". There's no Toy Chihuahua. They're ALL toy. They're a toy breed.

 

[collie1470]

Those who prioritize work ability over appearance are sadly the minority.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I'm a firm believer that if someone wants a pet dog, get one that was bred to be a companion,

I have to disagree with you on that. If all someone wants is a companion, just go to a shelter. I think breeding dogs for companionship alone is foolish. There are literally millions of dogs who would make perfectly good companions already.