By
Arlene Scarbrough, Scarbrough Fair Danes
The following discussion is meant for people
attempting to locate a nice pet to add to their family.
It is not intended for those folks looking for show puppies or breeders
attempting to locate new breeding stock.
There are many breeders who emphasize the number of
champions in their puppies’ pedigree when attempting to sell a puppy to a
perspective pet client. I guess the
idea is to reinforce the notion that the puppies in question are “quality”
pups.
What does champion before a dogs name mean as far as
those characteristics deemed most important to pet owners?
The conformation ring is where dogs earn their championship titles.
The characteristics judged in the conformation ring include:
conformation, movement, color (to some extent), general overall
appearance and performance (gaiting properly,
standing tolerantly while being examined, etc.), and size.
It’s almost like a human beauty contest.
So, again, what does having many champions in a pups
pedigree mean to a person seeking a nice pet?
I’d say that all a pedigree boasting many champions means to a
potential pet purchaser is that the dog should be nice looking (by show
standards) and move well.
Health is not
judged in the conformation ring. Temperament
is not judged in the conformation ring (unless an animal is so bad that it
is either noticed by the judge or it injures either a person or another animal).
Intelligence is certainly not
judged in the conformation ring. The three most important characteristics of the breed to
perspective pet owners are not judged in the AKC conformation ring.
Some people would argue that to be shown and do well
in the ring, a dog has to be in top physical condition.
I’m sorry, but that still says nothing about genetically passed health
problems that do not show up for months or even for years.
Also, since most people who show their danes like to breed their danes to
others that are shown, the gene pool is somewhat limited.
Due to the amount of line breeding and in breeding, many genetic problems
are stamped in or perpetuated.
Bottom Line: None of the three most important characteristics of the breed
(health, temperament, and intelligence) to perspective pet purchasers are judged
in the conformation ring when a Dane
is seeking its championship!
Advice: Don’t be dazzled by a
pedigree with a lot of champions!
