Form follows function. We see this phrase thrown around a lot in the dog world, but what does it actually mean? Well let's break it down. Form FOLLOWS function. That means form comes after function. Function comes first. And yet I see a plethora of show breeders trying to use this statement to justify what they're dragging into the show ring. Many of these breeders do not work or do sports with their dogs. Many of these breeders criticize what the sport and working breeders do. Many of them use this as justification for why it's ok to breed a dog with a conformation title, even if he has no other qualifications or titles. They claim if their form is right, they'll be functional. This is backwards. They're actually saying Function follows form which is the opposite sentiment! Form follows function means if the dog is functional, his form must be correct. If it wasn't, he couldn't be functional. If a dog can work day in and day out and be successful at working and hold up to that work without injury, his form MUST be correct. It doesn't matter if it "meets a breed standard." It doesn't matter if it meets show ring trends. It doesn't matter if a conformation judge would reward it. He doesn't need any of that because he's PROVEN his form is functional. Conformation competition is a great way to have fun with your dog and get young dogs used to the show ring. It does NOTHING to prove a dog is functional. Nothing whatsoever. The only thing that proves a dog is functional is watching the dog function. And once we've watched him function, there is no need to show him in conformation to prove anything. He's already proven. He's proven he can work. He's proven he has the right physical structure to do what he's supposed to do. Form FOLLOWS function. Function comes first. Test your dog's function, and you'll know if they have correct form regardless of what a show judge says. And remember, breed standards are written by humans. Not nature. They're fallible. They're not always "right". For example many working breeds have standards that say front dew claws should be removed but we now know that dogs work BETTER with front dew claws. We also know that in docked breeds, dogs actually work BETTER with tails (more balance, etc). In other breeds, there are standards which encourage extreme features that result in dogs who cannot breed or birth properly. Do we remain a slave to a breed standard even when it's wrong? Even when it creates a less functional animal? Do we cut a superior dog from a breeding program because it has a cosmetic non-functional flaw (a prick ear, a little extra white on the underline?) I think not. I think we do what's best for the dog as a functional animal.
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