As silly as I think dog shows are, watching the Westminster Dog Show is fascinating. Listening to the announcers is great, they’re sooooo into the breeds and competition, as much as we’re into our sport(s) of choice. The toy class (anything shorter then 10") is ridiculous but the working class rocked, those are real dogs!
Wait until tonight. The hound class is on. That is the one my baby would be in. Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which I think should be the official animal of endurance athletes. She’ll play hard for about 20 minutes, take it easy for about another 40, then right around the 60 minute mark it is GAME ON! She’ll run at a gallop for hours.
As dog lovers, my wife and I have been tuned into the Westminster broadcasts for years. We play “armchair judge” just for fun to try to match the judge’s top picks.
I have a mixed reaction to your comment “… those are real dogs!” On the one hand, the working group is full of some amazing looking animals. That Neopolitan Mastiff was … well … WOW! I think that the Bernese Mountain Dog is possibly the most beautiful animal on the planet.
On the other hand, I have to wonder just how *Real *some of these AKC (breed) show dogs are. We’re on our third golden retriever, all from field lines. We’ve recently begun to dabble in AKC and UKC hunt tests. In the case of the golden breed, the retriever we will see at Westminster tonight is a long way removed from the retriever bred for a day of hunting in the field. That’s a whole other topic for discussion, but my point is that I question how many of these Westminster dogs truly represent the breed’s heritage in the REAL work they were meant to do?
I’m not picking on you, FM. I guess I have a bone to pick with the AKC.
Watched a little, but on the way into work this morning there were interviews with the people in the back… makeup artists for dogs !!! WTF, dogs getting run over by a cart or a stroller, hair (fur) stylist… The bottem line, people bad, dogs good.
Let’s get back to giant (specialized, trek, cervelo…) cats.
Not watching it. But did see the new breed on CNN this morning. Can’t remember the name, but the dog is huge with big wrinkles in the face. Other than the slober, it was a great looking dog.
I can’t watch it without thinking of the movie “Best in Show.” And I can’t think of the movie without laughing out loud.
Strange that the movie has led me to watch Westminster for three years now.
I have a mixed reaction to your comment “… those are real dogs!”
On the other hand, I have to wonder just how *Real *some of these AKC (breed) show dogs are. We’re on our third golden retriever, all from field lines. We’ve recently begun to dabble in AKC and UKC hunt tests. In the case of the golden breed, the retriever we will see at Westminster tonight is a long way removed from the retriever bred for a day of hunting in the field. That’s a whole other topic for discussion, but my point is that I question how many of these Westminster dogs truly represent the breed’s heritage in the REAL work they were meant to do?
I’m not picking on you, FM. I guess I have a bone to pick with the AKC.
I just made the comment because I prefer medium to large dogs that you can do outdoor things with. The smaller lap dogs that just yip a lot are not my favorites. I like hunting dogs, we had an English Pointer when I was growing up that we actually hunted with. I think dogs should be outside playing with frisbees, not inside sitting on the divan getting its coat blow dried. I do agree with you that the breeds at the show do not represent the heritage of the dog. Example: I remember hearing that the Pekinese is much smaller now that it’s ancestors that were used for carrying and pulling things (!). I guess the Westminster is more of a beauty show where I like the outdoor competitions where the dogs do the obstacle courses, follow their masters directions, longest jump, etc.
I can’t watch it without thinking of the movie “Best in Show.” And I can’t think of the movie without laughing out loud.
Strange that the movie has led me to watch Westminster for three years now.
Same here…“Best in Show” is one of the funniest movies ever (right up there with Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles). The really funny part is that it’s not much of an exageration. I can’t help but laugh when I listen to the commentators at Westminster. They’re so serious but then they probably think triathlons and Ironman are ridiculous. I do admire anyone who is passionate about anything whether it’s dogs, running, quilting, etc.
I like watching the dogs, but the judging seems silly. Maybe it is just that I don’t know anything about it, but how can you compare a Bichon with a Komondor. I know…they are compared to the “breed standard” but if this is such a rigid template, then why don’t they just get out the calipers and measure them and see which one is closer (answer: because the standards are not that specific and open to intepretation). Also, why does last years “champion” not show up and win again? It’s all about going to shows and gaining a “reputation”. You can’t tell me these announcers can really pick the top 5 or so dogs just by looking at them from among thousands of pure show quality dogs. I read about one dog who did 160 shows this year…3 a week? I’m surprised that is even possible. This is probably why the smaller dogs win more often, they travel easier.
Football Mom, you’re right, very much like a beauty contest. Also an industry marketing extravaganza.
I’m in agreement with you – I like outdoor dogs and do not foresee owning a toy breed. Someone will have to explain to me the appeal of the Pekinese, once again the winner of the Toy Group last night. Is there a dog underneath that dust mop? The Pomeranian had 100 pounds of charisma in a 5 pound body and still didn’t win.
I agree with the other poster that the judging appears suspiciously subjective. It seems in the dog show world, the judge is never called upon to explain his or her decision or reveal the “scorecard”.
My Ridgeback and I watched to show last night, boy did she get excited when those little toy dogs were being shown!!!
Your right, my Rhody can go all day, unfortunately she is very dominate with all other dogs so she doesn’t make a good running companion.
Oh boy, I don’t know where to start! As some of you may know I have been involved in dog sports for over 30 years. Although my interest is mainly in performance (obedience trials, herding trials, tracking and agility racing) I have also been in the conformation ring, and owned a number of Breed Champions. I do have a good insider’s view of Westminter and have even shown there. (NYC is a horrible place to take a dog).
I guess to try to relate it to triathlete, do you think the average person can tell the difference between your racing bike and a bike off the rack at Kmart? They probably couldn’t understand why one is any better than the other. In the same way, an average person’s untrained eye is the same in telling a top show Labrador than a Pet Store dog.
They might distinguish a mountain bike from a TT bike, but would not be able to tell the difference beween a Cervelo and a Trek. But your experienced eye would is able to analyze evey detail down to the components, seat post angle and gear ratios. A dog show judge does the same with a dog’s head shape, ear size and bone structure. You can analyze a swim stoke, a judge can analyze a dog’s every footstep.
It’s not a race and the same dogs don’t always win. The breed standard is open to interpretation by individual judges, as there is no such thing as a “perfect” dog, but it’s not totally arbitrary. Just like in a triathlete’s race, any given day may be different for the dog, how he feels, how he shows, etc. Some days you’re the dog and some days you are the fire hydrant.
Show dogs are often great performance dogs too. Most of my dogs have been champions and hold many performance awards too. The reason you might not see a top wining show dog in the field is the same reason you don’t see Lance doing Ironman. It is hard to do both at the top level of competition. Most of my dogs are Breed Champions and top perfomance dogs. My current dog not only is a champion, but herds sheep, wins agility races, is nationally ranked in obedience and is a working service dog.
I loved the Movie “Best in Show”, not only was it hilarious, but I know real people just like the characters! Of course the majority of people showing dogs for a hobby are not weirdos, but everyday average Joe’s just like the average age grouper in Tris.
Yes, I know the analogies are not perfect, I am just trying to convey the message!
Mutts are the best anyway! The original dog!
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“Also, why does last years “champion” not show up and win again?”
Because…well…he’s to busy GETTING LAID!
I understand your post, and appreciate it. It’s not really news to me I guess, the announcers attempt to explain the same things. Your analogy may be a bit of a stretch regarding the difference in bikes (all you have to do is lift them!). However, while I can see that it might be possible to pick the best of a particular breed (certainly some are better than others), I just don’t see how you can compare across breeds. And obviously, you can’t, as evidenced by small dogs winning the majority of the best of show awards. There are way more Golden Retreivers and Labradors out there to select from, you’d think one of them would meet the “standard” but apparently they are all non-standard since none have ever won. Small hairy dogs just make it hard to see anything but fur, but you would think a professional judge would look past that. Kudo’s for picking the Newfy last year (and the Bichon, which I have 2 of, before that!). Seems personality must count 50%, and smaller dogs just have more of that arrogant strut.