MyCorgi.com
Does AKC actually want people to get involved, or not?
I have come to think recently that AKC and the local clubs have not done a very good job in promoting the joys of purebred dogs.
I believe in rescue too, but the rescue people have definitely done a better job by far in promoting adoption than pure-bred fanciers have done in promoting the pluses of breeding good-quality dogs, working with them, playing with them, and competing with them.
Case in point: this morning we were walking the Corgis in the park near our house. On our way home, we stumbled across people setting up for what was clearly a dog-event of some sort: ex-pens, crates, marker posts and shade tents everywhere.
We asked what was going on and they said an AKC fun match show, with rally and obedience.
I came home, did some poking around, and sure enough the local Kennel Club is running a sanctioned match show with conformation, rally at all levels, obedience at all levels.
Hmmm. I live across the street and knew nothing about this. I am involved in several dog activities and on mailing lists and knew nothing about this. I subscribe to our local paper and read it more-or-less cover-to-cover every day and knew nothing about this.
I'm surprised my agility instructor did not mention it, but then again I have just told her I want to start taking rally classes, and there is no agility event today. Regardless, my dog is no where near ready to compete.
Normally when there are events at this park, there are signs hung on the billboard. I would have thought that the local kennel club would have done a small amount of promotion to let people know. More people watching = more people who might say "Hey, that looks like fun."
I also think that the fun shows should allow neutered dogs to compete in conformation. You get the competing bug by competing, and it's intimidating to know that in order to just get your feet wet and see if you like it, you need to make your case to the breeder to get an intact dog with open registration. That is a HUGE leap. When I used to ride horses, every barn has a fun show with simple classes at very basic levels, for people who have not-so-good horses or who are beginner riders to participate in. Those who have the money, time and talent then move on to rated shows with tougher competition and bigger obstacles, but fun shows are just that: fun, and meant for all to compete in.
It's very disappointing to know that I'm involved in my local dog community and there is a match show right across the street from my house, and yet I had no idea this was happening. AKC, WAKE UP and start defining yourself, or the rescue organizations will do the defining for you.
Rant over. :-)
I believe in rescue too, but the rescue people have definitely done a better job by far in promoting adoption than pure-bred fanciers have done in promoting the pluses of breeding good-quality dogs, working with them, playing with them, and competing with them.
Case in point: this morning we were walking the Corgis in the park near our house. On our way home, we stumbled across people setting up for what was clearly a dog-event of some sort: ex-pens, crates, marker posts and shade tents everywhere.
We asked what was going on and they said an AKC fun match show, with rally and obedience.
I came home, did some poking around, and sure enough the local Kennel Club is running a sanctioned match show with conformation, rally at all levels, obedience at all levels.
Hmmm. I live across the street and knew nothing about this. I am involved in several dog activities and on mailing lists and knew nothing about this. I subscribe to our local paper and read it more-or-less cover-to-cover every day and knew nothing about this.
I'm surprised my agility instructor did not mention it, but then again I have just told her I want to start taking rally classes, and there is no agility event today. Regardless, my dog is no where near ready to compete.
Normally when there are events at this park, there are signs hung on the billboard. I would have thought that the local kennel club would have done a small amount of promotion to let people know. More people watching = more people who might say "Hey, that looks like fun."
I also think that the fun shows should allow neutered dogs to compete in conformation. You get the competing bug by competing, and it's intimidating to know that in order to just get your feet wet and see if you like it, you need to make your case to the breeder to get an intact dog with open registration. That is a HUGE leap. When I used to ride horses, every barn has a fun show with simple classes at very basic levels, for people who have not-so-good horses or who are beginner riders to participate in. Those who have the money, time and talent then move on to rated shows with tougher competition and bigger obstacles, but fun shows are just that: fun, and meant for all to compete in.
It's very disappointing to know that I'm involved in my local dog community and there is a match show right across the street from my house, and yet I had no idea this was happening. AKC, WAKE UP and start defining yourself, or the rescue organizations will do the defining for you.
Rant over. :-)
Beth
I know a lot of people on the therapy dog circuit in my area. Many of them compete in rally or agility, but you rarely see a "pro" there in that group. There are a couple, but in the larger dog community here in my neighborhood, I don't know one single breeder of any breed, even though I know there are some in the area.
Sam, you are absolutely right about not remembering how it is to be a newbie. As we gain more experience with dogs we try very, very hard to go out of our way to keep talking to all the non-dog people and new dog owners we meet out and about. We are happy to talk to people about our dogs but we also are eager to learn about theirs, be they mutts, rescues, or purebreds from a breeder.
Sep 25, 2010
Heather and Ella
I'd love to have her in some kind of "for fun" show with other corgis. We think she's the best, but it would be cool to see how matches up to other corgis.
Sep 25, 2010
Bev Levy
Sep 25, 2010