Well, I saw my first episode of "Show Dog Moms and Dads" on the Bravo channel this evening ( not a channel I watch very often, to be sure ).

That show seemed to have every single cliché about dog shows well represented. Nothing like reinforcing stereotypes to the general public. Grrr! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

The one and only time I went to a 'show' I got sick from all the hairspray and deaf from all the hair dryers <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Shoot, I meant to watch that tonight! They were suppose to include following a Junior Handler and their parents around which I thought would be interesting. Junior Handler Parents are so much worse than childstar parents. In the previews, the duo who dressed up their TFT kind of turned me off to it. Its bad enough the recent CSI episode has people thinking we dress our dogs up to show them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Ah well, I'm sure there's more episodes to catch.

I missed it! I did see the movie "Dog Show" though. Having spent 12-14 yrs in the breed ring, I saw all of the steriotypes that were shown in that movie. Course, I was one of the normal people......really.....there were a few of us.......HONEST! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Both of my daughters started in Junior handling but they didn't stay long. They both said they'd rather show in the breed ring and beat the professional handlers. They did often. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That movie "Best in Show" is classic! True and absolutely hilarious!..."That is not a bumble bee toy!..."

Well today was "my" first time seeing the show. Incredible. The poor chilren that follow in their parents steps. Not that Im saying theres anything wrong with showing... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> but the parents are way to hard on those kids.
Im not sure if this is the same episode as you saw Will but in this one the collected the GSDs sperm. (And the owner cried) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> And this one boy/boy couple were crying about a trainer making their Toy Fox Terrier puppy yelp. ( the dog was yelping for no reason) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> This show is hilarious. I too seen Best In Show and thought it was funny. Dont miss the next episode where the Weimaraner gets hurt! Ill have my popcorn ready this time! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Once, I thought dog shows were great. There was something appealing to competing with your dog and having him win. Of course I would have thought otherwise if I was introduced to OTHER dog competitions, but I didn't think of it that way. Then I was introduced to dog showing, or what could be compared to that. I started 'showing' virtual dogs. (The program Dogz). (Note I was 13 then so as not to make myself sound too weird). The other members of that community where what I would term as the future generation of show people.

Man, a lot of them were nutcases.

The fact that we were 'showing' virtual game dogs meant that the pixellated creatures looked the same. They were judged based on a standard. 'HOW' this was done, when all the dogs look the same and 'fit' the standard, having only different colours, etc., seems to fit how it is said real dog shows are judged. Politics. Who knew who. Or, in the case of honest judges, total randomness.

But God, all those nutcases...

There were even a couple or so adults in the community. One was a 30 or so year old woman who had and showed Boxers in real life yet would for some reason rather spend her whole life in front of the computer playing a silly kid's game.

Anyway, I left when I figured out I shouldn't be there, it wasn't fun at all, I needed my real dogs NOW (I didn't have them then since I moved to Canada), and the dog show world was full of nutcases. Hey, a lot of those kids had parents who showed dogs. Amazing how a game could so very well resemble real life.

I think we need to remember that this is for 'tv' and to keep people watching and interested they needed to show people that are on the extreme side. I know it would be pretty boring to film what I do with my dogs most of the time.

And whether I choose to live with my dogs the way these people do or not, one thing is crystal clear, they all LOVE their dogs, and the dogs are really a part of their lives.

Nice to see after watching a segment on Animal Planet with the Animal Cops having to take 2000 ticks off a GSD that the owner never noticed (???), or that a bitch had 3 puppies in the yard with no shelter or help, or...................................

Oh my goodness. This show is so hilarious. The best part of last night's show was the woman who wasn't even part of the documentary. Your dog bites you where?

I know these people are the exception rather than the rule, but thank god they caught the exception on film. They do all seem to love their dogs and treat them well.