Showing

[Himino]

What are your opinions on showing guinea pigs? I am part of a 4-H club and many of the other members show their pigs and rabbits. Only a few breed (which I'm completely against). But they wanted me to show one of my piggies, Pollie. Do you think it's wrong to show causually? I'm not sure how I feel on it, but I don't like how some people get obsessed with it. I just think it could be a fun thing to do once or twice but not regularlly. I also would do whats best for my pigs not my enjoyment.

 

[Trega]

Showing guinea pigs is not a good idea. It stresses them out and personally I wouldn't want my poor pigs to be poked and prodded for a couple hours by strangers. Guinea pigs should be you loving pet in your home where they feel comfortable and loved. Why put them through all that?

Another thing is that these "shows" are run by breeders so the money the shows make goes to them. I would hope that you would not want to support such a thing.

 

[Himino]

Accually I agree with you completely. I never thought of the stress factor. But with guinea pigs being as scary (scared easily) as they are I could see how they would feel. Another reason I'm skepctical is the little ear tag they have to wear. That thing is huge and I don't know if I want that through my piggys ear. It seem's like it may hurt to much. I had one that use to show before I got him and had the tag and it seemed like a pain it the butt for him to have.
I also think showing maybe fun, but I think i'll put my piggys wellbeing first!

What does anyone else have to say?

 

[Percy's Mom]

Classically, animal shows are mostly for breeders. To win, you have to have the perfect pig, one with the perfect markings or numbers of rosettes, perfect hair length, etc. It's extremely stressful for the animals, they are often in much too small cages, and some shows require that no food or water is in the cage because the animal might use the bathroom and make a mess. All in all, it's not a good thing.

 

[fourbwabbys]

How about going to a pignic? There are often pignics in the PA area and you get a chance to meet piggy lovers and see other piggies without all the stress.

 

[zippysmom]

I like those shows that have the pigs in the cages. It's really nice to look at cages and the hidey houses.

 

[Himino]

That sounds like fun. I've heard of them but never attended one. I think all in all I personaly WILL stay away from shows just because of the point that they treat the animals like objects more than pet that you love on and play with.

 

[kittieb]

I haven't tried,
but I much rather have my piggies at home instaed of other people looking at them. To me my piggies are perfect ^-^.

 

[standuprookie]

I would stay away from the shows not only are sicknesses, mites, ect, transmitted at shows, but shows are also strongly connected with breeding.

 

[fourbwabbys]

I came across this picture when researching for my paper on shows. Do you really want them to sit in these cages all day and be poked by strangers? And these were the ARBA shows. The 4-H shows are much, much worse.

IMG_7040

What part of PA are you in? I might be getting together a NJ area pignic this summer.

 

[Himino]

That sounds like fun. I've heard of them but never attended one. I think all in all I personaly WILL stay away from shows just because of the point that they treat the animals like objects more than pet that you love on and play with.

I meant the for fourbwabby's post not the one on top of it.

I live in the state capitol, Harrisburg.

 

[fourbwabbys]

That would be quite the drive for this pignic, but there are always pignics in the PA area. It shouldn't be hard to find one a little closer.

 

[Himino]

Yeah, it sound's like fun. I have some friends that have guinea pigs but most of them are breeders. Well they aren't friends really just the people in my 4-H club. A pignic sounds like a more stress-free enviroment, that's a lot more fun than a show.

 

[kavykrazy]

Do you really want them to sit in these cages all day and be poked by strangers? And these were the ARBA shows. The 4-H shows are much, much worse.

Why do you think 4-H shows are worse?

There is a BIG difference between ARBA and 4-H shows. That picture was of the convention, which is even a bigger difference than one day ARBA shows and 4-H shows.

I have seen many 4-H shows at the fairs, and they are not anything like ARBA shows. The pigs are handled mainly by their owner, on their own carpet square. The judge does look at them and handles them during the conformation part. I have seen many kids bring their pigs in a nice big cage with a hidey house and covered, so I know these kids are thinking of their pigs.

I have never heard of pignics before, but I can't figure out how taking your pig to pignic will cause any less stress than a show. You are still taking the pig out in public and letting strangers see it. Are they allowed to hold it also? How do you know someone won't bring a diseased, parasite infested pig to a pignic?

 

[fourbwabbys]

I have been to many 4-H fairs in my area to see how they worked. They are all in about 2 sq ft cages with crap pellets and a water bottle. The fairs are in August, in the 90-100 degree heat, in a tent. Last time I was there, the did "Piggy Races" They made a wooden race track, put a carrot at the end and 30 kids were all around it screaming at their pig to go. Poor pigs were so terrified. I also overheard the director talking to one of the probably 9 year old breeders. (Who bred dalmations by the way.) She was saying this is her best sow. But her mom and 3 siblings all died in delivery.

How do you know someone won't bring a diseased, parasite infested pig to a pignic?

There's a rule that if your pig has been sick or been treated for mites, etc. in the past (I think it's 2 months?) they can't be brought to the pignic.

 

[standuprookie]

A pignic is for people who love their pigs and want to meet other people who love their pigs to. The people their aren't breeding their pigs so the can have a "Perfect pig". At a pignic judges are also not poking and prodding your pig.

 

[kavykrazy]

It's unfortunate that whoever was in charge of that fair allowed a piggy race, especially in August. Very poor judgement. I was at our State Fair one year where there was a piggy race (put on by the FFA). It was a maze type race and only one pig went in the maze at a time. It was interesting to watch the pig figure out the maze.

I still don't believe that 4-H shows are "much, much worse" than ARBA shows. It would take seeing lots more shows than a few fairs to make that sort of judgement. Just curious--how did you decide that there were "crap" pellets in the cages? Did you ask each person what brand feed they used?

From what I am understanding, it is ok to take your pig to a gathering of people and their pigs as long as no one breeds and a judge does not poke your pig. Isn't your pig still going to be stressed out from being taken to this place and being handled by strangers? And how do you know everyone is going to abide by the rules? Sometimes parasites aren't detected easily, and could be spread to other pigs before someone notices a problem.

 

[Hansel]

As fun as pignics sound, I would not put my pigs through the stress of traveling and being is a new environment like that. I dont think the stress factor for the pigs is any less at a pignic than it is at a show, a little less tramatic though I bet. Thats not to say that I wouldnt go to a pignic though!