Report on showing animals. Any resources are appreciated

[fourbwabbys]

I'm doing a research report on the contriversy of animal shows. I will most likely be focusing on dogs, guinea pigs and horses. Anyone know of any resources they know of that have good information on why not to show? I can only have two internet sources, so anything besides internet will help. I will have a section on inbreeding and genetic mutations as well. Salana- if you could, I would love to have a very thorough explanation of lethals. I will also include double merle dogs and overo horses. I will probably interview the infamous dal breeder on the other forum also since she breeds one of the breeds that produce lethals. Any and all info is appreciated.

[smartorl]

How about the spread of disease while at shows. Many of you know that I was a breeder / exhibitor of rabbits for many years. I feel that I was responsible and vet care was a large part of the care I gave my animals. Not many others shared my view and I have been at many shows where animals that were obviously ill were offered for sale. Consider as well that most rabbit illnesses are airborne, not only were the sale animals effected, if they rode in the same vehicle as the show animals, all stood a good chance of being infected. Then imagine the show cages where all the animals within a class are side by side, the infection can run through like wildfire. I once brought home a rabbit that was left abandoned at the show home to the rescue barn and through the car ride and then airborne once we were home my whole barn was infected with deadly pasturella. The babies and the weaker older animals went first and I made the heartwrenching decision to euthenize many within the barn to try to control the outbreak and end the suffering of those that were horrendously ill. That was my turning point. When I was within the community I was given the "honor" to visit the barns of several of the top competitors and was appalled at the conditions. Ill animals were everywhere, there was no clean barn with spotless cages, there were abcesses and disease. Urine scald, missing eyes, runny noses. When you go to a show, you are placing your animals next to these animals indirectly. The same can be said for dogs, cats and horses. Some of the most "put together" show people are often the biggest facades out there. I found that most of the most respected breeders / exhibitors were the biggest cruelty and disasters in general and had the worst conditions in spite of a well put together turn out at a show. For the ten "perfect" looking animals, there were hundreds of abused, injured, and ill animals lurking in the shadows.

[smartorl]

Sorry, I just reread your post, I'll put the soapbox away now and address the question directly. You may want to pull up information on the illnesses within a certain type of animal that can be transmitted in a show environment. Another angle would be the quest for pedigree that makes some breeders misrepresent animals as their own line by falsifying registrations in order to "champion" others stock as their own. I know it happens quite often in horses and dogs even through reputable registries like AKC and AQHA.

[fourbwabbys]

Thanks so much. That was very helpful.