WHY DOG SHOWS?

"Why are dog shows and champions important ? I just want a pet dog, not a show dog!"

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How do you ensure that your new dog possesses the desired temperament traits and health characteristics?
Participating in dog shows offers a solution. These events are based on the Border Collie Breed Standard, which explicitly states that dogs must not display shyness or aggression. Dogs exhibiting such faults are not rewarded. Those that do not conform to the standard are generally not used for breeding by responsible breeders. This is because they lack the temperament and traits that define the breed. The one you fell in love with! It's important to note that not every dog in your dog's pedigree needs to be a Champion (titled), although there are exceptions. It's advisable to look for a pedigree with at least 50% of them titled within five generations.
When examining your future puppies' pedigrees, you should find dogs labeled with a 'CH' at the beginning of their names or indicated under the dog's name in the pedigree (FCI), signifying that they are a Champion. Achieving this title indicates that the breeder held that dog in high regard and invested considerable time, money, effort, and emotion into showcasing the dog because they genuinely believed it possessed the qualities that make it a high-quality Border Collie compared to others in the breed. To attain a champion title, the dog must adhere to the breed standard and be judged by an experienced dog judge, most with over 30 years of experience. The dog must prevail over other Border Collies multiple times to accrue the necessary points and major wins for the coveted title of 'Champion', and even more  to become a 'GRAND CHAMPION', or even a TOP RANKED DOG in the country. This represents a significant investment from the Breeder/Owner to earn this title. There are additional titles that can be earned in various sports such as herding, agility, obedience, barn hunt, and more.
These titles determine the value of your dog, not the registration papers. The number of titled dogs and their accomplishments as shown on their pedigrees, along with the health testing conducted by the breeder, are what make a puppy worth the cost and considered "well bred". It's important to note that a dog cannot participate in shows without registration papers. While it may be difficult to assign a value to our furry family members, you also want to avoid scams when bringing a new puppy home. Beware of ads claiming "purebred with no papers" or "designer breed/doodles". These dogs are often poorly bred and have been solely bred for profit without consideration for preserving the breeds and lines. They breed mediocre dogs to sell and fund their vacations. Refer to "Buyer Beware" to discern whether a breeder is reputable.
Furthermore, in dog shows, the dogs must undergo handling, grooming, and examination by numerous judges, owners, the public, and trainers, all while displaying zero aggression or shyness. They must walk alongside other dogs of various breeds without showing aggression, and then enter a show ring and focus on their handler while ignoring the crowd and other dogs, all to receive recognition from the judge. All of this serves as a temperament test for the dog. If you want your future puppy to have a good temperament, it's essential to acquire it from a breeder who has demonstrated the stability of their dogs' temperaments over generations at dog shows. While 50% of temperament is genetic, 15% is influenced by the breeder's actions during the first 0 to 8-12 weeks of age, 30% is determined by what occurs in the first year of life (mainly the first 6 months), and 5% is attributed to experiences throughout their life after one year of age.
Responsible breeders participate in shows to preserve the traits of the breed we all cherish. Without them, there would be no distinct breeds with their own defined characteristics. It's worth noting that each breeder prioritizes these ideal traits in the breed differently, so you should seek out a breeder who shares your values. Avoid breeders who do not showcase their dogs to demonstrate quality. They should be able to provide reasons why they are asking a certain price for the puppy, especially if the parents are not proven to be of breed quality!

 

*A lot of the text above is from Bellaclan, Laura K. S. Shaw, with additional personal comments.