Just because something is common practice, doesn’t make it right/ethical and doesn’t change what the rule books say about said subject. I will never support the “gamification” of the show ring. The purpose of the show ring isn’t to win prizes, ribbons or titles. It’s to get feedback on your dog’s potential.
Things we don’t do with our dogs:
1)Tape/glue ears. Spyro, who was our first aussie, did get glued for a short period of time when she was a puppy until I learned it was against the rules for ASDR and became more educated on the subject. Just because everyone does it doesn’t make it right! It’s still cheating, in my opinion. Mostly you cheat YOURSELF because now you don’t know what the ears in your lines are doing naturally but also you’re cheating the judge (who is supposed to be evaluating breeding stock and you’ve now presented a false picture). You’re cheating puppy buyers who may be looking for a certain ear set based on what they see in the parents. You’re cheating future breeders who are researching pedigrees and looking for certain ears. If your dogs’ ears are prone to going prick, gluing is hiding a serious fault. If you’re gluing to keep them from going “rosey”, you’re catering to judges who refuse to respect the breed standard which specifically states rose ears are correct. And worst of all, you’re disrespecting the purpose of the show which is to evaluate your dog’s potential as a breeding dog. Anything you do to change/disguise your dog is disrespectful to this purpose. I’m sure this comment will ruffle feathers but I will die on this hill. I am deeply ashamed that I ever thought this practice was ok and it will not happen again in my kennel! My dogs will go in the ring with the ears God/genetics/Mother Nature gave them! If breeders want button ears, breed for them! Nago has PERFECT button ears and never had a drop of glue on them.
2)Groom my dogs to hide flaws. See above. My dogs will be bathed, blow dried and have the bottoms of their feet tidied up (I do this mostly for safety and grip because I have agility dogs). I also tidy up the ear hair. Other than that, my dogs are shown in natural coat. We do not shape top lines, alter the rear “feathers” etc. We do not use sprays, chalks, volumizing products, or anything else that would alter the dog’s natural appearance. Bathe with regular dog shampoo and conditioner, blow-dry, brush, That’s it. Win or lose, I will do so honestly. If I’m grooming to hide flaws, I’m disrespecting the purpose of the ring which is NOT to win a beauty contest but to receive an honest critique of my dog. There is no reason to be using products. Your dog should be tidy and clean, but there is no need to change the dog’s natural presentation.
3)We do not randomly remove body parts that serve a purpose. We do own 2 dogs that came to us docked, and 1 that came without front dews, but we will never remove tails (which aid in balance and communication) nor will we remove front dewclaws which are integral to the function and health of the front limbs. I have no ethical problem with people choosing to remove tails in dogs bred to be WORKING RANCH DOGS who herd LARGE stock. I don’t think it’s necessary, but I respect the choice. If you’re chopping off body parts to impress human beings, that’s an unethical choice. I don’t respect that. We also never require our buyers to spay or neuter dogs. If they choose to do so, that’s fine, but I will not force people to surgically alter their dogs! It’s not that I don’t believe in spay/neuter; I do actually! I just believe that’s a personal choice and that no one should force you to remove body parts from your dog. There are both health benefits and health risks to surgical alteration of the reproductive system and everyone should be free to make this highly personal decision.
At the end of the day, I will follow the cliché but wise advice of “Stand up for what’s right, even if you’re standing alone”.
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