June 14, 2021

Best in Show.

Posted by Ann Althouse at 8:33 AM
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8 comments:

Ann Althouse said...

Temujin writes:

A miscarriage of justice. Surely that Short-haired German Pointer was perfect. You couldn't even see the Pekinese. It could have had an abdomen covered in scars and boils for all we know. I'm sure the judge runs her/his hands over the body, but what could you even feel with all that hair? In fact, I'm not even sure that's a real dog. Just eyes and a lot of fur. Could be a new Furby model.

The Pointer or the Westie should have taken this.

Confession: I love dogs and actually like watching dog shows. I didn't watch this as it happened, but they show it all year long on one of the stations. I'll end up watching it.

6/14/21, 9:40 AM
Ann Althouse said...

phantommut writes: "Today's theme seems to be the ridiculousness of the elites. That very much includes the Westmisnter Kennel Club."

6/14/21, 7:49 PM
Ann Althouse said...

john writes:

I am with Temujin on this judging. If Fred Willard was back in the commentator’s booth, the decision would have been roundly mocked. Also, did you notice that the owner of the English sheepdog was wearing his best Harlan Pepper socks? Obviously for luck, but didn’t do him any good.

BTW I was going for the whippet.

6/14/21, 7:50 PM
Ann Althouse said...

tastid212 writes:

Responding to Temujin: "It was not enough for the Pekinese to succeed; the German Short-Hair Pointer must also have failed."

yet in the topsy-turvy world of dog shows, it's completely form over function. the haircuts imposed on many of these poor animals are unsustainable without continuous human and mechanical intervention (barettes and hair clips) between dog shows. the cavalcade of cankles underscores the importance of canine style over substance.

meanwhile, the functional terriers, hounds, retrievers and other working dogs don't stand a chance. maybe someone will make a Tik-Tok about it.

6/14/21, 7:55 PM
Ann Althouse said...

Mike writes:

"I agree with Temujin on this travesty. I remember reading Desmond Morris’ The Naked Ape in the 60’s wherein he posited all the tiny dogs without muzzles were bred to accommodate childless women wishing to hold a baby. Inasmuch as I read it over 50 years ago the theorems he stated to support are long gone from my colander like memory."

6/14/21, 7:55 PM
Ann Althouse said...

K writes:

"I had a part-Samoyed once and they do not like the leash. You can't make a leash tight on that densely furred neck so if they don't like it, off it comes. Mine slipped the leash off over his head as first order of business on walks. I thought the show Samoyed should have won, with an extra gold badge for not sliding the leash off half-way across the stage."

6/14/21, 7:58 PM
Ann Althouse said...

Omaha1 writes: "Couldn't help noticing that the dog's name, Wasabi, is a Japanese food product, but "Pekingese" is obviously a Chinese dog. Is this cultural appropriation or something? Also I think fluffy Pekingese dogs are ugly, we had a Pekingese for a while and always got him groomed with a "puppy cut" where you could see his eyes and face, much cuter that way. But I am not a dog breed judge of course."

6/14/21, 8:02 PM
Ann Althouse said...

Rob writes:

"I am beginning to think the AKC Breed Standards are just another version of Critical Race Theory. A way of rubbing the rubes’ faces in their own ignorance: “You think you know what’s best in dogs? You don’t know shit.” Only the cognoscenti can see that a standard poodle automaton or a moving hairball (who might be a cat for all we can see) is the best."

6/14/21, 8:08 PM

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