The Bloobmeister and our frantic practicing!!

Diana · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:55 am Post subject:

Good job!... have emailed you this morning.

Di

callyw · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:07 am Post subject:

Great explanation as always, thanks Di.

I think this is fascinating, but also that it's a little sad there are so many gorgeous dogs from "working" lines that aren't considered suitable for showing, but then I guess they have their chance to shine in the working trials arena, and anyone who really cares knows their worth anyway.

I can see how the whole "putting on weight artificially" thing might result in abuse in a minority of cases, but with the vast majority of owners being responsible and genuinely concerned with their dog's health there is no harm at all in that. And labs DO love to eat after all Very Happy

Go for it Nicola, I'm sure you and Bloobidoos will be a huge hit. Even if you DO have to travel to Bl**dy Bordeaux Wink

Becs · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:30 am Post subject:

OMG!!! I'm really shocked by this post - not in a critical way (I hope!) but that, in order to 'win' a piece of ribbon or a bit of coloured cardboard, a healthy, beautiful pup has to be fed above and beyond what they actually need! Shocked

I truly don't understand.

In so many pieces of research that I have read about joint problems there seems to be a fairly constant piece of advice which is to keep young dogs on the lean side in order not to put unnecessary strain on the joints, along with 'sensible exercising'
I think Ugo will be a big, thick-set dog when he matures, as his sire was. At the moment he is still quite lean although he has a thick neck. I am more than happy to keep him like this until he is mature, and then in my experience they thicken up anyway. If I wanted to feed him up and make him look stocky now I'm sure I could as no self-respecting Lab refuses second helpings, but why would I want to do this?

To a non-show person, I fail to understand why anyone would want to 'play this game' when it seems to be to the detriment of the dog. Would it not be better to wait until the pup naturally matures and fills out before showing it? If the judges will only award prizes to pups that have been 'fed-up' above their natural and healthy weight, why encourage them by putting your pup under them?

I'm probably missing the point here, and I'm sure it is wonderful when your dog is judged to be the best-looking in the ring, and that it makes the owner very proud etc etc, but to risk your dog's long-term health and well-being for it....???

If there was a beauty-pagent for our children where they would only stand a chance of winning if they were chubby, would we be shoving the sweets into them?

Can someone explain to me why???
(Sorry if I sound cranky - I'm just reeling!)

Becs and the Gang

Night · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:46 am Post subject:

I certainly agree - reeling indeed, and what a shocking shame! - to overfeed and 'restrict' exorcise in order to win.... its beyond words - of course i am not a shower and never will be as bailey is as lean as they come and wouldnt stand a chance - but - hes also as happy as they come, by no means am i slating others that show - its mainly the system in general... shocking

Maddie · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:26 am Post subject:

Rest assured I won't be feeding her up so she becomes Miss Blobby! In France the puppy classes don't usually confer any placings just a general rating - very promising, promising, ok, not good enough. Her health is important to me but I did buy her with the sole intention of showing (at no small cost - I might add - but then that was totally my choice and I am 100% happy with what I paid for her) so I need to balance the two sides of the coin very carefully. I hope she will be my future so I would never do anything to jeapordise her health or wellbeing in any way.

Becs · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:28 am Post subject:

I'm so glad Maddie as I think she looks beautiful as she is!
Becs and the Gang

Maddie · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 11:28 am Post subject:

As for restricting exercise, she is still only 6 months old so should not have excessive exercise anyway. She spends a lot of time outdoors (and it is darn cold at the moment) so instead she will be spending more time indoors so won't be burning off as many calories!! It's not quite as cold indoors!!

Diana · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:51 pm Post subject:

I can understand your reaction Becs and Baileys mum.... indeed it is the part that is not usually spoken much of in showing circles when speaking with general dog owning public - but have you read my long post above? there are many many lines who do not need to do this because they naturally breed a bigger more substantial Labrador, so by all means, don't consider all folks who show have to feed up their dogs to win.

Can I at this point say that any aspect of dog competition in almost any breed generally involves areas of husbandry, training and schooling that would raise eyebrows in the general pet owning public. Its facinating watching dogs compete in working trials, field trials, working tests but some of the training methods behind the top dogs *often* are not what one would want to advise pet owners to use.

I hope the longer post above shows why more substantial dogs tend to be the norm in the showring, and how to achieve success one does have to minic this substance somehow. Clever judges know which have it naturally, and which have it forced on. Its easy to see, plump middles with little pin heads and lean legs, skinny thighs etc etc....

Di

frazzled · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:44 pm Post subject:

And not just areas of dog showing are there husbandry/training practices that would not be thought of as usual for pet owners.

Coming from farming and horsey stock (me), people who work their dogs or have stock have a very different approach and mentality.

I am not saying they hurt, abuse or have a lack of respect for their animals in any way as there is absolutely NO excuse for this, however they tend to see their animals as as just that, animals or a tool with which to accompliah something.

Pet owners often see their pets as children/replacements for something/babies, etc. and tend to humanise their pets somewhat.

OK - you can shoot me down in flames now!!

Maddie · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject:

You'd be shocked to the core to read about labrador breeders "culling" puppies then. I just read this in a hugely respected tome on labrador breeding!