Show Dogs - debarked?
- Thread starter Island dog
- Start date
i think it's another shameful symptom of our current show environment. we chop off ears and tails because that's how x breed is supposed to look and cut vocal cords because who wants to listen to the herding dog bark and consider that all ok, but if the dog has a spot of the wrong color or his ear set is not perfect, he's not good enough.
our world is so... screwed up.
our world is so... screwed up.
I've never heard of it being done in the show ring. But I'm really not into any of the AKC breeds.
We've done the procedure a few times, and I don't feel it was cruel or inhumane in any way. In fact, having the procedure done (in all of these cases) prevented the dog from either being put down or from being rehomed.........again. And oddly, most of the dogs were Shelties. I never thought about any correlation before.................
We've done the procedure a few times, and I don't feel it was cruel or inhumane in any way. In fact, having the procedure done (in all of these cases) prevented the dog from either being put down or from being rehomed.........again. And oddly, most of the dogs were Shelties. I never thought about any correlation before.................
Yes, shelties are probably the most vocal breed out there. If they're not, they're darn close to it. You can train some of it out, but not for every one. Trey is horrible and barks all the time. I'm constantly having to tell him to shut up. He sees something move- barks. Gets excited- barks. Runs- barks. Bored- barks. Etc, etc...
I've seen it in about half the show shelties here, I've also seen plenty of pet dogs have it done. I feel it should only be done as an absolute last resort. It's better to debark the dog and keep it in it's home than put it down or rehome it because of barking. Yes, if you hate barking, DON'T get these breeds, but sometimes you'd be astounded the amount of barking they do. I hate routine debarking shelties, but if it's best for the dog and you've exhausted training options, then do it. I have known many debarked shelties and they are all happy and healthy.
I've seen it in about half the show shelties here, I've also seen plenty of pet dogs have it done. I feel it should only be done as an absolute last resort. It's better to debark the dog and keep it in it's home than put it down or rehome it because of barking. Yes, if you hate barking, DON'T get these breeds, but sometimes you'd be astounded the amount of barking they do. I hate routine debarking shelties, but if it's best for the dog and you've exhausted training options, then do it. I have known many debarked shelties and they are all happy and healthy.