Why Show?

[CorneliusChins]

Since this deals with the other thread why breed, and I said it in my answer to that one, I wanted to see if I could get an answer from someone who shows or judges shows. The other thread deals with the statement "improving the species" and showing. My statement off the other thread was this:
I personally don't show chins, but hope to start soon now that the NW chapter just opened. I do agree that show winners can vary between judges, but would pose this question, how do they determine what qualities make a show winner? What were the initial discussions as to exactly why blocky bodies were best, and why dense fur was the best for a chin? There must be some reasoning behind the judges opinions, otherwise there wouldn't be a purpose for showing chins at all.

Basically, i'm trying to figure out the answer to the improving the species question by asking why the initial chin show judges determined that certain traits were best for the breed. I know some of the answers, but figure it would be best for everyone here to get a straight answer from someone in the know (definately not me at this point). So anyone out there that shows or judges shows, let's have it! Thanks guys - Jessica

[Shuboyje]

They all go back to the fur trade. To put in bluntly, I will quote a breeder who is not a member here, "they are a pelt on legs". That is a pretty good description, there are some places where you will find variance from the fur market, but not much. For instance, at a show an off color extra dark may get a 3rd while a clear medium will get a first. In the fur market, the off color extra dark still has some value, while the medium has next to none.

[Brenda Walter]

Just as dogs are judged at shows based on standards set for their breeds, chins are judged based on standards that have been set for them.
It all comes back to the fur trade. And while not everyone that shows is involved with the fur market, there still has to be a set of standards to go by when comparing chins. Since chins came into this country because of the fur trade, the standards were set based upon what makes a good pelt. These standards have come about because a large, blocky animal with good fur density, good fur strength and color will make the best pelt. A small, weak-furred, off-color animal will not.
You don't have to pelt to show, but your animal will still be judged on those standards.
Many folks talk about breeding their chins for temperament and you can still do that and have an animal that fits the show standards. Generally speaking, a grouchy or nervous animal will not show well either because they may fur-chew when put in a stressful situation.

Brenda

[CorneliusChins]

Ah ha, That's exactly what I was looking for. I just really wondered and now I know! Thanks guys. - Jessica