By Sydney Owens

Dog owner, groomer and handler Valerie Partynski says that no matter what, her dog Forest is her pet and a part of her family before he is anything else in her life. She also says that this is true of other members of the dog grooming and showing communities, despite the many misconceptions and stereotypes that she believes are leading to the sport’s imminent death.

Partynski started competing in conformation dog shows when she was 12-years-old and involved with junior handling. She began by practicing in her mom’s grooming shop on their pet standard poodle until she could attend grooming school. She has been a professional groomer for 18 years now.

In conformation shows, or breed shows, dogs are judged by their physical appearances and abilities to match specific breed standards, along with their obedience and movements in the ring. There are many other types of dog shows in which the judges look at other things, including their agility or groom.

As animal rights become more of a concern, conformation and grooming competitions are beginning to be looked down upon.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) was founded in 1980. The non-profit organization has since been committed to “establishing and defending the rights of all animals,” according to an “All About PETA” statement on its website. PETA has created a prominent name for itself through a variety of techniques, including grotesque advertisements and what some consider to be extreme actions and statements.

PETA’s President Ingrid Newkerk addressed a letter to the Westminster Kennel Club’s (WKC) President Charlton Reynders in 2018 regarding the treatment of dogs in conformation dog shows. The letter stated that dog shows devalue the dogs “by imposing artificial “beauty” regimes on them, placing the emphasis on some perverse human notions of canine beauty” rather than emphasizing their abilities, skills and talents.

PETA also created popular campaign slogans like “Adopt Don’t Shop” and sells T-shirts  that say “For the love of dog, adopt” to encourage people to adopt pets from shelters rather than buy them from breeders. PETA stated that breeding dogs, which is required for conformation shows, is cruel and dangerous, citing a 1994 TIME Magazine article that estimated one out of four purebred dogs were afflicted with a genetic issue.

Partynski claimed that, because of campaigns like this, many people think dogs in the industry are not loved by their owners and endure harsh treatment for the sake of money.

“I think the biggest misconception about dog shows,” she said, “is that the people think of their dogs as livestock, that they don’t care for them, that they aren’t their pets, that it’s cruel that [the dogs] are in crates, or that they’re just doing it for the money. All of which is untrue, for the most part.”

She disagreed with PETA’s statement that “There’s no such thing as a ‘responsible breeder.’” The dogs entered into conformation shows are health tested for issues before they are shown and bred, according to Partynski.

The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, implemented DNA testing on show dogs for the purpose of verifying parents and identifying genetics in 1998. AKC sets the standards for each breed, writes rules and point systems for recognized dog shows, and organizes events.  

Partynski also said most breeders, owners and handlers do not typically profit from showing dogs. The expenses of traveling, entering competitions and purchasing supplies, in addition to many other hefty fees usually outway the small prizes given to the select few winners.

According to Money magazine, even the winners of the well-known Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City are given trophies, not cash prizes, for succeeding in the competition.

Registration for conformation shows, as well as other dog shows, has declined over time, possibly due to propaganda from organizations like PETA or because of these substantial expenses.  

AKC acknowledged the steady decline of registrations in their September 2008 Chairman’s Report. The Chairman put blame on higher standards breeders were being held to as a result of various testing and requirements; however, they make it clear how important responsible breeding is to the organization.

“The reason that people show dogs is for the love of their breed … they want their breed to continue on and to get better and better. Without people showing dogs that’s no longer going to happen,” Partynski said.

John Hilliard, who has bred and shown standard poodles for over 20 years, notes the passion that people have for their individual breeds.

“It’s always amazing to see how passionate breeders and handlers are when they enter the ring,” he said. “I hate there’s this assumption that we don’t care about our dogs and that it’s ultimately destroying one of our favorite hobbies.”

Partynski called dog showing a dying sport and said that she, along with many other passionate breeders and handlers like Hilliard, will be sad to see it finally end after so many years.