We catch our favorite groups every year. And, it seems, every year they're coming up with new, goofy-looking breeds for us.

I agree that specialized breeding is ruining the usefulness for the sake of appearance. But that's the AKC for you. I'm not a fan of specialized breeding.

One dog I love, the Bernese Mountain Dog, has a high, like 100% chance of a short life due to bone, hip, cancer or other problems. After reading enough about them, I think that the breed should be allowed to die out totally. Why deliberately breed an animal that seldom lives to a natural old age? Oh... sorry... money.

I have a Doxle that's not "pure". I have a MinPin that was dumped by a "real breeder" because he has white on his chest.

On the show... I loved the Doberman, though.

yeh, it all seems pretty silly to me, but hey, I'm a "whatever floats your boat" kinda guy
could never figure out how a winner is picked in the final championship when they are all different breeds!
BTW, I've read many times that the Jack Russell terrier's tail was designed to pull those critters outta holes too-
my JRT wouldn't have liked that if I tried it with him!

I think that dog needs to meet the devil toad...

As for the sporting group dogs, surprisingly the pointing breeds like Britts and pointers don't seem to be as far out of "functional conformation" as the retrievers and spaniels obviously are.

I didn't catch this year's show but in years past I've been amazed at how fat and sausage-like virtually all the retrievers are.

Chessies haven't quite gotten to the split between field-bred dogs and show dogs that labs have, but they
re getting there.

There have been a few DC (earning both bench and field titles) chessies in recent years but regardless of breed the retrievers I've seen on the televised kennel club shows likely couldn't hop up on a tailgate without a stepstool...

Sorry, I used to get some entertainment value out of Westminister, but after seeing the movie "Best in Show" I can't watch a dog show without laughing.

I mildly enjoy watching, especially the working dogs and the big dogs like the bull mastiff, rottweiler, great dane, etc.

Hi Chadlove and retriever owners,
My Lab is what I think they call an American Lab,
bred this last century for speed and drive to win field trials (we don't do this, but that seems to be the breeding). They are taller and faster.
I think the English lab was stockier, more barrel-chested, so not as fast. The winning Lab looked more like the English group to me, although he was otherwise nice looking. I believe there has been a controversy in breeding in which many purebred clubs went against the faster American Lab and back to the older, shorter ideal; so the judges may have been looking for the older body type.
I like the taller, faster Lab but what really impresses me is the good behavior of those dogs in a group - they are ahead of my dog! I wouildn't trade our lifestyle for a series of shows even if I had the money to do the show circuit.

Pat

Must confess, I watched the Westminster last night but only at my wife's insistence. Apparently the winning Scottish Terrier was a finalist before. However, it pooped as it paraded, which may be OK at horse shows, but apparently is a no no at dog shows. Guess that may be an explanation for no fire plugs on the premises. Watching the handlers lope around was worth watching too.

I was hoping the english setter would win but that don't come true

No, I couldn't bear it. The idiocy could curdle my braaain!

I was able to watch the very last when the Best of Show was selected. I was hoping for the Brittany. I object to all the extreme grooming of the dog shows. Don't they call them "Confirmation" shows? I think if the dog is bathed, brushed and combed and shown in it's natural look, that's the way they should be judged. Years ago I had a Brittany who was a good looking dog and was asked by "a friend" to show him. She kept him for a couple of days before the show and we all got together at the show to see the Brit perform. I was shocked when I found out she clipped his muzzle and shaved behind the ears and I can't remember what all she did. Needless to say, my beautiful Brit was not shown again but did a great job at our club's Fun Field Trials. Lots of fun and comaraderie. He made a great hunter also and even was an excellent duck hunter!!

The Westminster Dog Show 2010 is over, and Best in Show has gone to Sadie, a Scottish Terrier. She also goes by Mercedes of Maryscot. It's her first win at Westminster, this the 134th year of the show, and 8th win overall for Scottish Terriers. Getting one of her pups will likely set one back more than a few payday loans. (Champion line dogs can cost as much as a used car.) PETA, of course, protested, but then again, few people care about what they think. Westminster winners don't take home huge cash prizes, and to think that in some countries, these dogs are eaten.

Anyone who loves dogs has to enjoy watching the various breeds on display, even the ridiculous poodles that have been groomed so extravagantly.
I'll never understand how one jusge can decide which specimen is best in show.

I never read these kinds of comments negative to "show dogs" without wondering how much actual hands on knowledge all of those put down artists have? Most recent Britt I had would most certainly hunt, and it hasn't been too many years ago that a German Shorthair pointed a loose bird flying in the rafters at MSG. She was standing in the group ring when she did the deed, so apparently her instincts are intact. I know hounds that hunt, I know retrievers who retrieve, and yes, terriers that go to ground are expected to have good strong tails so they can be pulled to safetly from what ever burrow they've ventured down.

I guess that putting down purebred dogs and the AKC itself is one of those PeTA propaganda successes in action, but golly gee at least understand what you're criticising ... different breeds are not judged against one another in the show ring, but judged on how closely they meet the standard set for their particular breed.

Each time one of you big huntin' dawg folks picks on them AKC dawgs you're playing right into the hands of the Animal Rights factions like PeTA and HSUS who don't want you boys to hunt ... no purebred dogs, no hunting, and pretty soon, no farm animals and no domestic animals owned at all.

Totally disgusting and therefore humorous. I only caught it because of a previous lifetime in optics and photography. Somebody there is quite intelligent and has a great sense of humor. Probably that chick with the puppy and the turkey. Hatzoff to ya!