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Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show On Tonight!

The Menagerie
#21

Wow…apparently some members need another cup of coffee…or their happy pills?

I have just as much right to state WHY I am not watching westminster as you do to say you are…unless I missed some memo that prohibits me from posting my opinion???:confused:

Perhaps some members werent aware of this issue…merely bringing it to light via my opinion…

It has nothing to do with feeding their food(I dont feed Purina garbage either)…and everything to do with the support, networking and “limelight” they give to shelter dogs in our country. I find it disheartening that Westminster is axing them due to this…

the fact is…MANY John Q’s watch the dog show…why not help promote adoption…because let’s face it, most John Q’s needs for a family dog could be filled with a $100 pup from the shelter then a $1500 pup from a show breeder…and we know where the middle ground is…the dreaded puppy mills…why not open up the possability of them looking into a shelter or rescue?

My final post on the matter…carry on.

#22

ditto

and the whole dog show thing I hate. Remember what German Shepherd used to look like? Did you watch that BBC documentary about breeds and dog shows…
I like my rescue/shelter dogs just the way they are, thank you. They don’t have to be pampered, and smell like roses for the gratification of their owners.

I know… I don’t have to watch, and I won’t.

#23

It looks like they’ve only got a few breeds up so far, but the Ridgebacks are there!

And look–there’s our girl! NEAT!

Thanks for the headsup on that. Wish they made it a little easier to see the numbers…spent the video watching for the skirt in the win picture, only to realize the color looks totally different with the flash :lol:

#24

How could it have been on last night?

It is ALWAYS on a Monday and Tuesday, and since we had one inch of snow, and they canceled the Board meeting at church:rolleyes:, I get to stay home and watch!!!

#25

[QUOTE=libgrrl;6140067]
This whole “Pedigree” controversy amazes me. I am really surprised – and dismayed, frankly – that there is so much animosity in the “Dog Fancy” community against promoting shelters and rescues. I do understand that Westminster is celebrating the epitome of purebred dogdom, but I believe the majority of the audience is just Joe Doglover. Why the backlash?

And no, I don’t feed Pedigree either.[/QUOTE]

There is no animosity against the rescue concept, in fact,the pure bred community does more for rescue than most people think. It is breeders like me who have to clean up the mess of unwanted dogs. AKC also has a purebred rescue program.

The General public is constantly reminded of the poor suffering dogs in the HSUS ads with Willie Nelson etc. singing. So why should this ONE show also need to air these ads??? This is the time show what purebred dogs can do and promote responsible breeding and responsible ownership!!!

#26

Please don’t lump the entire dog fancy community as anti-rescue.

That couldn’t be further from the truth, in my experience.

Almost everyone I know involved in conformation showing, myself included, is also very involved with rescue or shelter dogs.

My show dog is my second dog; he came into my life well after the former stray I adopted from the SPCA. Many people I have met through my local breed club own both show and rescue dogs.

Further, the club itself is actively involved with rescue within the breed; we look out for our own.

I suspect there is more to the Westminster / Pedigree parting than has been revealed.

It certainly won’t stop me from watching and rooting for my Cole’s breeders!

#27

[QUOTE=libgrrl;6140067]
This whole “Pedigree” controversy amazes me. I am really surprised – and dismayed, frankly – that there is so much animosity in the “Dog Fancy” community against promoting shelters and rescues. I do understand that Westminster is celebrating the epitome of purebred dogdom, but I believe the majority of the audience is just Joe Doglover. Why the backlash?

And no, I don’t feed Pedigree either.[/QUOTE]

I don’t know that there is “animosity” in the dog show community against promoting shelters and rescues…I would bet that half the show people I know contribute to, or volunteer with their breed rescue groups.

I personally think that the placement of shelter commercials during Westminster is like placing homeless people commercials during the Super Bowl, or during the Grammys. In my opinion, it goes against the spirit of the event - which is a celebration
and exhibition of some of the country’s best purebred dogs.

Maybe Pedigree did get some people to contribute to their local shelters (or however they ask for money), but I think a lot of people find them annoying, in particular people who spend their time and money on well-bred, well-planned litters. I just feel like saying “can’t we just watch the show without getting guilted into donating money?”

(Not to mention “I already gave my donation to the Humane Society AND the Brittany Rescue” …leave me alone!)

#28

[QUOTE=spinandslide;6140190]

the fact is…MANY John Q’s watch the dog show…why not help promote adoption…because let’s face it, most John Q’s needs for a family dog could be filled with a $100 pup from the shelter then a $1500 pup from a show breeder…and we know where the middle ground is…the dreaded puppy mills…why not open up the possability of them looking into a shelter or rescue?

My final post on the matter…carry on.[/QUOTE]

John Q has been inundated with rescue, shelter, etc. also spay neuter. So if we have spay neuter, where will the next generation of dogs come from? I get really tired of the “holier than thou” rescue folks who do not understand that there is a place for show dogs as well as rescue, and yes, I have both. I have placed more rescue dogs than I have sold purebreds, but I still have people who want a well bred, well socialized dog that meets certain specifications in looks, health tests and temperaments…

Read my signature line, it is not over breeding that is the problem!

#29

[QUOTE=FalseImpression;6140201]
I like my rescue/shelter dogs just the way they are, thank you. They don’t have to be pampered, and smell like roses for the gratification of their owners.

I know… I don’t have to watch, and I won’t.[/QUOTE]

Why bother even commenting? :rolleyes:

My show dog doesn’t smell like roses for my gratification…he’s just that sweet. :lol:

#30

Well you don’t need to offend those of us with purebred dogs! That’s a pretty rude and offensive statement IMO. I had many things in mind to say as a response but I won’t stoop to that level.
Mine certainly are not pampered nor do they smell like roses. The are required to work and be well behaved dog citizens. Maybe their work is rally or agility and maybe sometimes it’s a conformation show.

And the breeder of my two dogs is also the local AC officer and runs a “rescue” out of her kennel for ALL kinds of dogs.

#31

[QUOTE=spinandslide;6139586]
I personally am boycotting watching it this year.

Westminster pulled Pedigree Dog Food’s “sponsership” of the event because their viewers “didnt want to see homeless pets” on commercials during the event.

Many know Pedigree does ALOT regarding adoptions and the pet overpopulation in our country…I dont feed pedigree, but I support their efforts.[/QUOTE]

I agree. I am disgusted by this anti-adoption message.

#32

[QUOTE=Arizona DQ;6140228]
John Q has been inundated with rescue, shelter, etc. also spay neuter. So if we have spay neuter, where will the next generation of dogs come from? I get really tired of the “holier than thou” rescue folks who do not understand that there is a place for show dogs as well as rescue, and yes, I have both. I have placed more rescue dogs than I have sold purebreds, but I still have people who want a well bred, well socialized dog that meets certain specifications in looks, health tests and temperaments…

Read my signature line, it is not over breeding that is the problem![/QUOTE]

Where did spay/neuter come from? Im talking about showcasing adoption…:confused:

I have watched westminster for years without fail…but I do not agree with the reasoning behind dropping the pedigree ads…

Has nothing to do with holier then thou…Ive owned purebreds, rescued purebreds and mutts…In fact, I have at least one of each of the six dogs who share my life…I support good breeders…and adoption…so I personally cannot wrap my mind around the reasoning for them dropping the pedigree ads. Im not asking you to feel the same…

#33

What I don’t understand is how you can judge what Purina will do without even seeing their ads??? And how you would ever take away that they don’t do as much for rescue as Pedigree does, even if you knew how much that was.

Both of these companies are out to get your $$, because that is what big corporations do. Pedigree certainly sold much more dog food by purporting to support rescue. But, how much did they really give? I don’t know, but I also bet you don’t either. So why assume that one is more altruistic than the other, especially when the Purina ads have yet to be seen?

I own purebred Dalmatians, I also breed, and I have two rescue cats and support 2 humane organizations/rescues. I have also fostered homeless Dals in the past. Don’t paint breeders with a broad brush. 99% of the breeders of the dogs you see at WKC are exceptionally responsible. Look at your backyard breeders and puppy mills if you want to throw blame at breeders.

#34

i will not watch Westminster because of their elitist tactics, not because of who they chose as sponsor, but WHY. They did an opinion poll and used the results of that poll to make a decision which should be made out of a sense of dignity for all dogs. I respect responsible breeders, and the rights of individuals to choose to own a bred dog.

just like politics, everything is driven by poll numbers instead of what is RIGHT. this is downright kommenesque.

the facts are that fully one quarter of dogs in kill shelters are purebreds. :mad:

#35

Thanks for the heads up - I loved Hickory last year.

#36

That’s the best part about having a DVR - NO commericals!!! I quite frankly don’t give a hoot about who’s advertising (or who’s not). The only time I watch commericals is the Super Bowl.
I’m DVRing the show tonight, but I’m a sporting/terrier lover so am not really into it tonight (I won’t be able to resist though). I really can’t wait for tomorrow evening!

#37

[QUOTE=vtdobes;6139864]
I never liked having to see all the Pedigree commercials so I for one will be glad not to have to see them this year! Don’t like their crappy food and could care less about them as a company.[/QUOTE]

Ditto. You could see through their sad-sack “please buy our foods because we donate to shelters” ad crap a mile away.

#38

[QUOTE=vtdobes;6139864]
I never liked having to see all the Pedigree commercials so I for one will be glad not to have to see them this year! Don’t like their crappy food and could care less about them as a company.[/QUOTE]

Actually, vtdobes, the correct term is “couldn’t” care less.

This really has nothing to do with whether or not you use a *Mars product (Pedigree, Buckeye etc.) but has more to do with taking some responsibility or ownership with respect to homeless pets. Kudos to Pedigree for stepping up to the plate.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

#39

[QUOTE=fair judy;6140472]
i will not watch Westminster because of their elitist tactics, not because of who they chose as sponsor, but WHY. They did an opinion poll and used the results of that poll to make a decision which should be made out of a sense of dignity for all dogs. I respect responsible breeders, and the rights of individuals to choose to own a bred dog.

just like politics, everything is driven by poll numbers instead of what is RIGHT. this is downright kommenesque.

the facts are that fully one quarter of dogs in kill shelters are purebreds. :mad:[/QUOTE]

Completely agree with you.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ballyduff

#40

You know what folks? Who here really gives a rat’s patootie whether you watch the Westminster Show or not.

If some of you want to hold your breath, stamp your little feet, & pout over it, have fun doing it while the rest of us enjoy the show - LOL!!!

(At the same time I’ll also be assuming that you’ll all be sending fat checks to Pedigree to support their “adoption program” - LOL!!!)

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