Put as simply as I can. Showing tests for nothing. The judges are often devoid of knowledge of the breed so instead rely on a written breed standard which can be "interpreted", if it is "interpreted" by someone who has no knowledge of the use of the dog and the expectations of it, it quickly becomes scewed, but they still judge a "winner". Other breeders, who also do not hunt, look to what made a judge make a decision and breed for that quality, it has nothing to do with hunting, nothing to do with dog purpose, it only has to do with how a fat woman interpreted a written description of a dog. OK saying a "Fat woman" was wrong, it is also likely to be a very cute gay little man. NOTHING that happens in the show ring has any possible positive outcome for a working dog.. none, never, zilch and anyone who claims it does is delusional and full of shit and playing games with dogs. Some of us have more respect for our chosen breeds and their purpose and how to ensure they do not go backwards as to subject to them to this crap. It is why when I encounter ANYONE who tries to show an actual outcome from showing a dog I get pissed off and know I am dealing with one of several things. 1. people who know the game is bullshit but their ego denies the facts and just take the ribbons. 2. People who are not bright enough to work out what they have been told about shows is not real. 3. Complete Idiots.
No dog has EVER been improved by a breed standard or show ring. We do not judge the Melbourne Cup by having the horses parade in the birdcage and have an obese person pick the prettiest... there is a requirement of performance, and sometimes the ugliest bastard wins because it is the best.
This is a gundog forum, that makes it diametrically opposed to ANYTHING to do with show dogs. Mentioning show dogs in here is like mentioning porch chop recipes in a synagogue!
No Gundog, in fact NO DOG, ever had it's confirmation improved as a result of showing... ever and I hereby publicly challenge you to show one single instance.
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