Last week brought dog lovers a chance to drool as much as a St. Bernard. It was the 142nd annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show… You know how there are as many armchair quarterbacks at Super Bowl parties as there are men in the room? Well, I’m fairly certain that’s how any dog owner reacts when their breed comes up on the screen. Can’t you just hear it? “Leia, you’re WAY better than that! Your coat is JUST as shiny and you prance better too!”
Dog owners and dog admirers alike all have favorite breeds that they cheer for. I readily admit to NOT watching certain breeds because I just don’t care for them. And while judges certainly evaluate each dog based on breed standards, even they have pooch preferences.
I enjoy listening to the commentators during the program. I learn new facts about the breeds that I love, as well as discovering the recently introduced breeds that I know nothing about. And while neither of my childhood dogs would have been allowed to compete in a breed showing, both of them could have qualified for the agility competitions. Mixed breeds are more than welcome to compete in this part of the show.
Let’s recap: Dog owners and dog lovers alike enjoy and learn from the WKC Dog Show. All types of dogs are included in the agility portion of the show. Breeding pedigree dogs is what keeps these particular characteristics from generation to generation that can be recognized, appreciated, and judged.
I don’t see what is so terrible about any of this. But then again, I’m not a card-carrying member of PETA. Yes once again those nutty “animal lovers” are out to defame a rich and wonderful tradition. From the Associated Press:
Animal-rights activists have protested outside the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. They say it irresponsibly promotes dog breeding when many dogs in shelters need homes.
A small band of protesters from groups including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals held signs Tuesday afternoon outside the Manhattan piers where early rounds of the show happen. Some demonstrators brought mixed-breed dogs along.
Ashley Byrne of PETA says “events like this just promote buying dogs as objects,” instead of adopting them.
The show recently added agility and obedience events open to mixed breed dogs, and Westminster is emphasizing this year that breed clubs also rescue dogs. Some $15,000 in new awards went Monday to clubs for bearded collies, English cocker spaniels and great Pyrenees.
Byrne says the clubs don’t do enough.
Good grief. Who actually listens to them, anyhow?
Ms. Elaine Kneeous 