Pet Dogs

　　For some experienced breeders, evaluating a puppy that can perform excellently in future competitions is a relatively easy task. However, for most people who do not have such rich experience and knowledge, a good dog with competition potential often slips through their fingers.

　　Determining whether a puppy has competition potential is an accumulation of experience and knowledge, and a test of your judgment. An experienced breeder knows their own dog's bloodline far better than other dogs’ bloodlines. In this regard, they rarely make mistakes, but most breeders do not have this capability. Their vision is narrow, only seeing or willing to see what they want to see.

　　Judges can make a show dog or break one. A fairly well-known show dog will have certain advantages, which sometimes make it difficult for other dogs to beat it in the ring. This phenomenon is very common in competitions. If a famous champion dog is defeated by a dog with no reputation, this is not surprising and is part of the game. Sometimes the definition of a show dog is not so clear-cut. If you don’t experience or participate, you cannot know anything.

　　Overall, judges can be categorized into single-breed specialists, multi-breed specialists, and all-breed specialists. Among groups, some breeds are more attractive and popular than others. This means some judges tend to favor those popular, more attractive breeds (negative judges). An experienced all-breed judge will comprehensively consider a dog's overall quality; their extensive knowledge prevents them from being influenced by breed popularity. Some new judges have become too idealistic, while seasoned judges are more realistic. As a veteran once said, “I take no responsibility for the quality of dogs entered; my job is to pick the best one among them and then go home.” Some judges will have unique quirks that make life more interesting for contestants. Today, a judge with a distinctive personality is hard to find in the ring.

　　Records show that most show dogs’ ancestors have several champion bloodlines. This seems like a simple equation: quality inherits quality, style inherits style — this is DNA. If a dog inherits inferior genes, its overall quality likely won't make it a champion. So, can it produce excellent champion offspring? Can it become an outstanding show dog? Margaret Migliorini once had a champion Great Dane whose pedigree certificate showed no champion ancestors. However, such cases are rare and prove nothing. A valid way to succeed is to start with a good dog from the beginning. How to do that? You can look for reputable breeders or those whose names appear in magazines. Dig out useful advice or knowledge from them and humbly and cautiously improve your own abilities.

　　Once, a breeder wrote to one of our authors, uncertain if her bred puppy was a show dog. Before the author could reply, a second letter arrived. That puppy had won 4 major points in 4 consecutive shows, completing its champion title. But in most cases, entering an immature puppy in high-level competitions only wastes more money. It is difficult for an immature puppy to complete a champion registration. A breeder with good judgment will patiently wait for maturity. A puppy that often loses will become an adult dog that often wins. What I want to emphasize here is: patience is a rare virtue, possessed by only a few, and most successful people have it. Sometimes losing patience means losing everything.