The 'Rescue Dog Only' Dog Show Judges Dogs on Personality Instead of Breed, and It Is the Best Idea Ever
Dog shows are a time-honored tradition that is taken very seriously. Dogs are held to extremely high standards when they compete against each other for titles such as "Best of Breed" and "Best in Show," and for the most part, no money is awarded! While owners may spend up to a quarter of a million dollars preparing their dogs to compete, they typically win nothing more than the prestige of a title.
To qualify for competitions such as the Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show and the National Dog Show, dogs usually have to be purebred and come from prestigious purebred lineages. This excludes some of the most beloved dogs in the world: rescue dogs and rescue mutts. Finally, the tides have turned, and in February, a new dog show is coming to the United States. We couldn't be more excited to share all the juicy details with our fellow dog lovers!
Dogs in dog shows have historically been judged on their breed and breed standards, but not anymore.
The American Rescue Dog Show will judge dogs based on their personality traits, and the only requirement is that all competing dogs must be rescues.
This dog show will showcase the dogs’ best traits across 10 categories!
Featuring hosts Rebecca Romijn and Rich Eisen, as well as other celebrity judges, the personality-packed pups compete for the following titles:
Best Couch Potato, Best in Fetching, Best in Kissing, Best in Listening, Best in Senior Dog, Best in Snoring, Best in Special Needs, Best in Talking, Best in Under-bite, and Best in Wiggle Butt!
Celebrity judge Ross Matthews loves the idea. He says:
I love special needs dogs. I love an under-bite and a crooked tooth. That is just how I roll.
But wait, there's more!
That's not all that's different about this competition! The Petco Foundation is providing $75,000 in non-profit grants to the winners!
Rebecca Romijn told People:
It’s such an incredible idea for a show. It’s a chance to encourage people to ‘adopt, not shop,’ to showcase these unbelievable creatures, and to help end the epidemic of animal homelessness. A lot of people may not understand that there are so many beautiful dogs, both purebreds and mixed breeds, who need to be rescued.
It is truly one of the most heartwarming ideas to hit the competition scene, and when the goal is to raise awareness for homeless pets and dogs in need, you really cannot find anything to complain about!
Tune in February 2019 to see what the second annual competition has to offer the world! We certainly cannot contain our excitement!
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