STL All Sports

Yards and yards of prize ribbons and great numbers of silver trophies are presented annually to winners at dog shows. There also can be financial rewards. With the tremendous rise in interest, the showing of dogs has developed an economic aspect to go along with its sporting features. The exhibitors of pedigreed show dogs engage in spirited, sometimes fierce, competition in pursuit of the blue ribbon.

Originally, that is to say back in the 1870's, sport was the raison d' titre of the dog show. An exhibition gave the owner an opportunity to display his pet, and if the animal won gave him a keen sense of pride. The competition was a lot of fun. Everyone had a good time at the show and exhibited sportsmanship as well as dogs. With the passage of time, however, the attitude of some exhibitors changed vastly.

Show dogs are of two different groups. Some really are house pets in what might be called the "off season" and are entered in important competitions during the show season. Others are trouped around the country, from one show to another, and rarely have a chance to lead the life of a house pet.

Some owners make a business of displaying and breeding their dogs; others, taking pride in their pets and, feeling they are of championship or near championship caliber, enter them in near-by shows. Some dogs are placed in the charge of professional handlers when emerging from puppyhood and become troupers; others are handled only by their owners, who show them when they please.

The dog whose career is to be displayed at shows leads a different life from the ordinary pet, especially if he is a winner of prizes and ranks high among the best of his breed. He may have a potential value from $1,000 to $20,000 through winnings or breeding. He is treated like royalty. He is carefully guarded. Compared to the liberties accorded the ordinary dog, the show-trouper has very few. But the routine is not difficult for him, since usually he knows no other.