At first glance, everything seems fine. Professional breeders, prestigious titles, purebred dogs with pedigree certificates. And yet… something doesn’t add up.

Dog shows are often seen as a celebration of beauty, health, and responsible breeding. The show rings, filled with diplomas and champions, create an illusion of professionalism and prestige. But beneath this shiny surface lies a reality that’s rarely spoken about in the show arena.

This article offers a perspective on an issue frequently overlooked in canine circles: the misuse of show titles as a tool to legitimize unethical breeding practices.

Show Success as a Marketing Tool

Earning the title of “Champion” instantly increases the value of a dog and its offspring. In the eyes of many prospective buyers, it becomes a guarantee of quality. But what if that same title is merely a glittering mask, hiding the reality of overbred females and excessive litters?

Marketing is powerful — “champion puppies” practically sell themselves. And so the show ring becomes a stage for advertising. A beautiful dog. Stunning photos. Gorgeous puppies for sale.

But… what remains hidden?

Did you know that:

• The Balihara Ranch kennel has bred over 2,500 puppies
• In 2022 alone, it produced 141 puppies of the Swiss Mountain Dog breed
• The female Voulez Vous from Balihara Ranch had 8 litters, totaling 64 puppies

Three Females. Three Stories. One System.

Kataleya from Balihara Ranch – 8 litters, 46 puppies.

Officially, she carried the title of champion. Unofficially, she was treated like a full-time mother — used repeatedly for breeding, to the point of exhaustion.

Feebee from the Earth’s Axis – a shy, timid female, yet still used for breeding. Not for her temperament, but for her genetics.

Voulez Vous from Balihara Ranch – born February 18, 2014, entered into breeding on October 5, 2015. Over 5.5 years, she gave birth to 64 puppies in 8 litters. Her first litter came at 22 months of age, and she was repeatedly bred with minimal time to recover. Given the number of litters, the frequency of mating, and the overall reproductive load, it’s hard to believe she wasn’t physically and mentally depleted. To think she endured such breeding pressure without consequences would be naïve.

These cases aren’t exceptions – they’re symptoms of a system that values appearance over well-being.

A System That Stays Silent. And Profits.

• Judges evaluate appearance and movement in the ring — the dog’s health and reproductive history fall outside their scope.
• But the issues go even deeper than what meets the eye in the ring.
  A champion title doesn’t guarantee the dog is fit for breeding. Judges work under time pressure and focus mainly on movement and overall type — subtle or hidden faults often remain undetected. Conditions such as hip dysplasia or poor dentition can easily go undetected — even though they should disqualify a dog from breeding.
  Microchip checks at shows are rare and inconsistent. This opens the door for large-scale breeders to present a different dog than the one officially listed — undermining the integrity of the system.
• Breeding clubs keep records of litters but don’t track the fate of dogs once they’re retired — nor the extent of strain during their active breeding years.
• Veterinarians can sometimes find themselves caught in a triangle of conflicting pressures:
  As a “rubber stamp” — their signatures can legitimize further litters, with little regard for the animal’s welfare
  Conflict of interest — more litters mean more visits, more income, and stronger client loyalty
  Ethical dilemma — where does professional service end and moral responsibility toward the animal begin?
• While the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) claims to care about welfare, there’s a lack of mechanisms to systematically and measurably enforce it in practice.
• The public often equates show success with ethical breeding — a dangerous misconception.

Conclusion: Time to Ask Uncomfortable Questions

This article doesn’t accuse — it invites reflection.
It mirrors a system that works as long as no one asks questions.
It reflects a world where titles often matter more than the lives of the dogs behind them.

Does a show title have real value if it’s built on exhaustion, depletion, and silent suffering?
Isn’t it time to stop admiring the trophies — and start seeing the dogs?

A Final Call

If you’re a buyer — ask questions.
If you’re a club member — demand change.
If you’re a breeder — look your dogs in the eyes and ask yourself:
Am I doing this for them — or for myself?