The Biggest Event in the Dog Kingdom

What is the biggest event in the dog kingdom? A dog show is the answer to this question. It is also called the “breed ring” or “the fancy.” Thousands of dog shows takes place in the United States every year. Thousands of Shih Tzu are entered into these dog shows. There are only a few countries in this world that are not involved in the dog show sport. So you can imagine just how many dogs and owners are traveling to a show on any given weekend. The number has to got be absolutely astronomical!
Just what is the reason for all these people/dogs/Shih Tzu teams to leave their warm and snug homes to go to a dog show that might be held in rain, sleet or snow? Well, if you think about it, why do people go to baseball games, and basketball games and foot ball games? Probably very much the same reason people travel far and near through all kinds of weather to a dog/Shih Tzu show. There has to be more in it than just a tiny piece of silk ribbon or a trophy. And there is more to it for those who enjoy this type of sport. Many people just love the breathtaking beauty of the Shih Tzu show dogs. Others enjoy the adrenal surge when they step out into the ring for a chance to prove their Shih Tzu is the very best Shih Tzu. A person has to have a competitive side to their personality to be a part of the Shih Tzu Show Dog World.
Records indicate the earliest existing official dog show was in June of 1859 at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. At that time only Pointers and Setters were shown. There were approximately 60 dogs representing these two breeds. The British Kennel Club was founded in 1873.
In the United States the earliest records for a dog show was on June 4, 1874. The Westminster Kennel Club held its first show three years later. Records indicate there were about 35 breeds represented. The Westminster continuous sporting event is the second oldest in the country. The Kentucky Derby is in first place for being the oldest and only by a few years.
The American Kennel Club was established in 1884. Their job was to maintain the breeding records of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is in second place to the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association as the oldest governing body of amateur sport still in existence.
Following close behind the American Kennel Club is a family-owned kennel club called the United Kennel Club (UKC) that began in 1898. The founders of the United Kennel Club were concerned that the original functions of dog breeds were being lost, so they focused on performance events like obedience and gun dog competitions. They also included the popular dog show, where I imagine our beautiful Shih Tzu was allowed to be on stage as well.
The first dog shows in Canada were held under AKC rules, with Canadian dogs registered with the AKC. However, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) began in 1888. Financial problems in the beginning returned control to the AKC. By 1896 the Canadians were operating quite nicely independent of the U.S. The Shih Tzu standard is Canada is a much larger size than the U.S. American Kennel Club standards.
How did dog showing and Shih Tzu shows in particular begin? It all began as a competition among friends interested in breeding dogs as well as our beautiful and beloved Shih Tzu. They were in the group also. There has always been an odd blend of camaraderie and competition in the dog show world. In this group are:
• Dog Fanciers or Shih Tzu Fanciers gathering to celebrate the distinctive features of their dogs and to determine which of these fanciers are breeding truest to those features.
• Judges have to be present. They attempt to match an actual living Shih Tzu or other breed of dog to a pre-written standard. It is often that discontent losing exhibitors will find many faults with the judge’s sight, honor, or mental capacity. You can imagine how “nasty” this can be with people who are “sore losers.”
Kennel Clubs and exhibitors of Shih Tzu and all dog breeds will be quick to tell you that dog showing is for the betterment of the purebred dog. In this arrangement will be those dogs fit and worthy, according to these individuals, to carry on the bloodlines. However, reality is not as true as they would have us to believe. There are reputable Shih Tzu show dog breeders and there are Shih Tzu show dog breeders who are not reputable. Remember how some people will do almost anything to win in competitive situations. It is those people that may not be as careful about the “health” of the puppies they produce from the champions as they are with how well those parents do in the ring.
Don’t doubt it for a second: Purebred dogs are big business and big bucks. There are more than a million purebred dogs registered with the American Kennel Club per year and the number keeps increasing. AKC papers certify a Shih Tzu is a purebred officially in writing. AKC papers do increase the value of a Shih Tzu. Champion parents increase the value of a Shih Tzu even more. More and more the object of the game is to produce dogs that will be beautiful enough and fit the written standard enough to win and become Champions to sire and mother Shih Tzu puppies that will bring in even more big bucks when they are sold.
And don’t doubt it for a second: The original goal is still the goal of loving reputable Shih Tzu show dog breeders. These are the dedicated Shih Tzu and other dog breed show dog breeders who care only that their chosen breed continue in good health physically and mentally.
They work hard to eliminate genetic disorders even from the most beautiful specimen that fits the AKC standard completely and will eliminate that dog from their breeding program in spite of how much they would be capable of winning in the ring based on their appearance and ability to fit the AKC standard. They work hard to improve the temperament and ensure the dogs physically match the standards as closely as possible.
So that even in the show dog world, there are good apples and bad apples in the basket. The consumer needs to be just as careful with dog breeders who are involved in the dog shows as those who are not. Some of these are reputable and will raise “healthy” puppies as well as those who fit the standard well enough to be in the show ring. Don’t assume that because a dog is registered with the American Kennel Club that he will be free of health problems. Don’t assume that just because you purchase a Shih Tzu or any breed of dog that fits the AKC standard perfectly in weight, size, and in all other ways from a show dog breeder that the dog will be free of health problems. ( by Connie Limon )