Showing altered dogs

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

What do you think about it? In the future I would like to get a show quality ACD and show it, but I have no intention to breed. I perfer altered dogs because they are healthier and easier to train and I am not planning on breeding any way. I think there is such thing as an "altered" catergory in dog shows, isn't there? Opinions are welcome.

I think your dog should be able to be altered in conformation, but I guess they want all the wonderful examples of that breed to stay intact to produce more fine examples.

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

I wouldn't mind an intact male, they shouldn't be hard to handle if they are well trained, but what I worry about is the health problems.

Originally Posted by AusCatDogs_4Ever

I wouldn't mind an intact male, they shouldn't be hard to handle if they are well trained, but what I worry about is the health problems.

Yeah, the intact dogs do tend to heave more health problems. Intact males are prone to prostate cancer (I'm sure you know already) but that doesn't affect them until an older age. My grandma's dog had developed cancer at the age of 15 years old and she had him neutered and the cancer went away. As long as you take your dog in to the vet for check ups to make sure there is no sign of cancer then you should be fine.

[Serena]

Originally Posted by AusCatDogs_4Ever

What do you think about it? In the future I would like to get a show quality ACD and show it, but I have no intention to breed. I perfer altered dogs because they are healthier and easier to train and I am not planning on breeding any way. I think there is such thing as an "altered" catergory in dog shows, isn't there? Opinions are welcome.

There is no such thing as an "altered category" in dog shows however at specialty shows s/n dogs/bitches can compete in Veteran Classes for BOB (best of breed) if that is the highest award offered for the day...they can NOT however compete to earn any Championship points.

Remember the purpose of conformation shows is to evaluate what dogs/bitches are worthy of breeding.

[AusCatDogs_4Ever]

Originally Posted by Dobiegurl

Yeah, the intact dogs do tend to heave more health problems. Intact males are prone to prostate cancer (I'm sure you know already) but that doesn't affect them until an older age. My grandma's dog had developed cancer at the age of 15 years old and she had him neutered and the cancer went away. As long as you take your dog in to the vet for check ups to make sure there is no sign of cancer then you should be fine.

That sounds convincing If I do show I will definatly retire my dog before that age, and as soon as he is, he will be neutered. Thanks for that story.

In Canada they do offer altered classes, but they do not compete with the intact dogs.

You can always show and finish your dog, and then alter it.

[Gallien Jacks]

I think that everywhere should have the same rules as here in the UK, people wanting to show can do so with spayed/neutered dogs as long as you declare it, now you also have to be willing to except that no good breeder will sell you their best pup if you are going to spay it or never breed from it, but i still think its a good thing, It must help with the unwanted dogs everywhere

So Galien, are you saying you can take an altered dog to a Championship show in the UK and earn a CC on it, and/or a CH title?

[Gallien Jacks]

Yes as far as I know, a altered dog has the same rights as a a un altered dog, but I will call them tomorrow and check that