What does that mean about the quality of the dog I am getting? I know it doesn't ensure anything, but what exactly does it mean.
The breeder that is talking with me has told me that her dogs breed once a year (if that) and that her puppies have AKC champions in the bloodline.
She sent me pedigree paperwork and there are like 6 champs on the dad's side and 3 on the mom's.
Does this mean that if I am interested in showing my pup there is a good chance he will be quality enough to do so?
Thanks!
2007-10-15 11:15:42 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Pet Quality means that it may not fall into the breed standards. It may be a little taller or smaller or the coat may be straight instead of curly - vice versa. Could be the bite is a bit off, etc.
Show Quality means that your dog is coming from Champions that have placed in a show and have won ribbons and the breeder thinks your pup has a good chance of being qualified to show.
It really doesn't matter if all you want is a pet. I have 2 pet quality Poms - neither one is qualified to be shown in the ring, but I love them to pieces!
2007-10-15 11:22:19 · answer #1 · answered by Pom♥Mom Spay and Neuter 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Does this breeder know about the health issues in the breed?
Does she breed to better the breed?
Does she show her dogs? Just because there are champions in the pedigree doesn't mean that the sire and dam are worthy of being bred. Both parents could be champions and produces a pet quality puppy. It doesn't matter the number of champions on the pedigree, how healthy are the parents. Have they been tested for genetic conditions. What are the results of the genetic tests that were performed?
Pet quality means there is a fault or maybe several disqualifying faults that keep the dog from being shown.
Show quality-well I wouldn't call a puppy show quality unless it was pretty mature. The age depends on the breed.
An 8 week old puppy is a gamble. A more appropriate term for a 8 week old puppy is a prospect or potential. Which means at the time the puppy shows no disqualify faults but, remember a lot can change between the time of 8 weeks old to 1 year old or older. But it depends on the breed.
What I am saying is a 8 week old puppy is a huge gamble and who knows if the puppy will be able to be shown. Not every show prospect/potential turns out to be a show dog.
If you want to show a dog then get a show puppy.
But if you just want a pet then get the pet puppy.
Remember shows cost a fortune and so does traveling to the shows.
If you are serious about showing the puppy then talk to the breeder about a show puppy but, if you aren't serious about it then just go with the pet quality puppy.
2007-10-15 18:41:34 · answer #2 · answered by Silver Moon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, not really. I could send you a pedigree on a litter of pups of mine and all but two dogs in a 6 generation pedigree are champions, but that doesn't mean that all puppies will be show quality in a litter. It is not really common that all puppies in any litter will be of showing quality.
The difference is simply that the pet quality puppy may have an improper ear set, tail isn't carried correctly, hocks could be too long or too short, shoulder layback incorrect, over shot or undershot jaw, eyes too light or unacceptable color.... The list is a very long one and not a single thing on the list prevents the dog from being a sound, healthy pet, but not a candidate for the show ring or breeding.
If you want a show quality pup, you must be prepared to show it and to agree to certain specifications on the contract that wouldn't be there on a pet puppy. Perhaps the breeder would want to remain a co-owner, or maintain breeding rights, etc.
If you go to a reputable, responsible breeder to buy a pet puppy, you will get a quality pup with health guarantee that will look just like what that breed should look like. The pup will be far healthier with the potential for a much longer life than anything you would get in a pet shop and probably would pay twice or three times as much for.
So, show quality vs pet quality only matters to someone that has every intention of showing the pup when it gets old enough to be shown.
2007-10-15 18:29:10 · answer #3 · answered by gringo4541 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on whether you buy a pet quality, show quality or show possibility puppy.
A pet quality dog is unlikely to win in the ring unless its a very very small show with very little competition. It becomes cost-prohibitive to drag a dog that is not going to win to show after show.
A show quality dog is probably going to win often enough to keep it fun *IF* its handler has some clue what he/she's doing.
A show possibility dog is the pup somewhere in between the two.. sometimes its what breeders call "a learner's dog"... meaning you learn how to handle a dog (groom etc..) and then when you've learned and proven you're not going to just waste a perfectly wonderful show dog by giving up when thing are not going your way, the breeder (or another breeder) sells you a real show dog.
Showing dogs is a fantastic hobby. Its one of those things you can do every weekend or once a month. I do it when I'm feeling well, have the $$ and a dog that's ready to win.
Talk to the breeder. The breeder (if she's not new at this) should have some clue about which pup would be best for you.
Maltese are great little dogs... but their show grooming is beyond tedious (this coming from someone whose shown Samoyeds over 24 years).
2007-10-15 18:30:17 · answer #4 · answered by animal_artwork 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Show quality or show prospect means that the breeder thinks the dog will be competitive int he show ring and have a chance of earning a championshiip. Pet quality means there is some thing that would prevent the dog from winning. It can be quite minor, such as the color of the nose, the wrong tail set, or whatever the breed standard defines as a fault, or something more structural such as not having the proper angulation of the shoulder or hip, a chest that's too narrow, or not exhibiting the proper gait;
Pet quality dogs are sold on a spay/neuter contract, and are usually about half the cost of a show quality dog, although this can vary from breeder to breeder. If you buy a show qualiy dog, your contract will stipulate that you will show the dog at some point.
Both can come from the same litter and will be registered purebreds. If you are interested in showing your dog, then show quality is what you're looking for. You can enter a pet quality dog in obdedience, rally and all sort of other competitions. If it's intact, you can enter in comformation, just don't expect to win. If it has been neutered, you can enter everything except conformation.
Sometimes breeders make mistakes and sell dogs as pet quality that turn out to be outstanding show animals. Sometimes, it works the other way around, too.
2007-10-15 18:28:10 · answer #5 · answered by drb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In every litter (mostly) there will be some pet and some show quality. The breeder will identify these prior to sale. If they sell you a pet quality pup, chances are you are not going to be showing it. If you want a show pup, buy a show pup. The last thing the breeder wnats is a pet pup being taken out to shows.
Chances are the pet pups are going on limited registrations and cannot be shown.
Even if there are champions galore in the pedigree, you can end up with an entire litter of pet pups.
Just be sure to tell the breeder what you wnat and get what you want. If you get a show pup and then decide that showing is too expensive or you are not interested any longer, then the breeder is out that pup that could have been placed in a home that would show it.
2007-10-15 18:31:50 · answer #6 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you want a pet it does not matter. If you are thinking of showing the dog you will have to look at the pup and make sure it stands up to the breed standard, markings, color and such. Then you pray it grows up and stays in the standard. I bought a Beagle for my grandson that had a pedigree which included a lot of champions. We picked the cutest of the pups for a pet. He was not a calender Beagle. I don't even know what happened to the papers as I didn't register him with the AKC. He is a pet. As it turned out he grew way to big for a Beagle. He is over 20" tall and weighs close to 40 lbs and is not fat, just big. You buy a pup you take your chances.
2007-10-16 10:17:11 · answer #7 · answered by Tin Can Sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically if you ever want to breed or show your dog you will need to get a show quality dog. I have two pet quality dogs, both from imported lines with lots of champions in them. They are great dogs, and it's good to have the papers to see their breeding (as opposed to a non registered "pure bred" that might as well be a mutt). I have also shown other dogs in the past.
Basically if you are getting a pet quality dog you are getting one that might be just as good in every other way as a litter mate, but just doesn't quite meet the standard. This ensures that breeds are made better over the years by only selling the best pups on papers that allow them to be bred, while weeding out any conformation problems. As a pet, the dog is no better or worse, it just means it doesn't quite meet the standard!
2007-10-15 18:27:12 · answer #8 · answered by Pupples 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is pretty hard to just go out and buy a show quality pup. I have champions coming out of my ears, but that doesn't mean that you can just put any two of them in a pen together and get show quality pups.
Besides that there are show quality pups and then there are show quality pups, they are not all equal. Just because a pup is "finishable" does not mean that it is breeding quality. Just because a finishable b*tch is breeding quality does not mean that she is foundation b*tch quality. Just because a dog is finishable does not mean that he will be "special" quality (specials are the titled dogs that you will normally see in the group and BIS competition, and the ones normally used for studs).
But it goes on and on, when many say show quality, it still isn't all that good.
My advice is don't look for a show quality puppy, you will spend a lot of money and go no where. Instead look for a mentor, and then when you are ready, quality pups will become available.
2007-10-15 18:57:25 · answer #9 · answered by tom l 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Show quality is used when a breeder feels that a pup is of breed characteristics.
Yes if you do want to show there is a chance that your dog my have the qualities. But then you have to consider the training that goes into that dog as well as handler if you would do it yourself or not.
If you are not interested in showing then its really not necessary. If you want a pet i'm sure the dog will "look" as good as the show quality.
2007-10-15 18:24:24 · answer #10 · answered by Freckles... 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋