Form & Function – Beauty And Purpose Can Co-Exist

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174 – July, 2025

By Amy Fernandez

Canine form and function has been a hot button issue since the start of competitive conformation. That’s mainly because the straightforward facts are inevitably overshadowed by loud, misguided, subjective opinions. First off, it’s undeniable that so many of the breeds we cherish would not exist today without kennel club intervention. Dog shows and formal registries, (which evolved in that order), provided both the motivation and the means to revive and preserve breeds that had essentially become obsolete in their original roles. The classic example of this is the Bulldog, which was actually banned in nineteenth-century Britain. After that, this breed truly existed on the wrong side of the law. That little obstacle didn’t prevent dog people from finding a way around that development. Bulldogs did not die out, and they remain one of our most beloved breeds. But crucial facts like that are dismissed within this political messaging.

Nor does this fact that in the show ring, everything matters–type, condition, temperament, and structure. Showmanship and presentation get all the attention because that’s their purpose. They are the tools of competition. Show dogs certainly look much better than typical pets. That’s called a competitive edge. Regardless of that, every year as Westminster rolls around the world is treated to another predictable revisit of “beauty contest” allegations. Public fascination with the flash and dazzle has completely commandeered the public’s perception of this sport.

The real danger is that this endless, negative rhetoric based on misperceptions and lies has led to some very harmful results–such as banning top breeders in Norway. For that reason alone it has been delightful to see so many other events showcased in the Westminster program. Canine athletes demonstrate such a range of impressive skills. Theoretically, that annual reality check should shut up the critics, but like I said, this conversation never ends.

No purebred is exempt from these attacks, but Terriers own the historical honor as the first group of breeds to be singled out for special attack on this count. These breeds were the first to gain widespread popularity through dog shows, so it can be inferred that this sort of trolling came with the territory.

Click here to read the complete article
174 – July, 2025

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