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- UKC Coonhounds (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=4)
-- Wayne's words (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=294910)

Wayne's words

I just read the article Wayne wrote about the divide taking place between bench dogs and hunting dogs. He is right on the money. I have always appreciated a good looking hound but I am impressed with ability way more than looks. The reason I have always been a huge fan of UKC and PKC is because the titles and reputations of the dogs are entirely based on performance. AKC has some hunting programs but they pale in comparison to the dog show circuit AKC supports and promotes. I don't have room to list all the breeds that have been ruined as a result of the "breed for looks" breeding programs.
Whatever the best coonhound in the world looks like is what they should look like. Form follows function.
It should be a disgrace to a performance based registry when dogs are registered and given titles when they are unable to do the sport they were, or should have been, bred for.
Wayne is right except that he stopped short of saying what should be said. The "bench only" dogs are not UKC coonhounds and should not be recognized as such. It should be mandatory for a hound to be at least a nite champion before they can compete in the larger bench shows.
In the grand scheme of things, what purpose does a bench only dog serve in UKC? Do they better the breed?
I understand people's desire to produce good looking dogs but, in today's world, it should be expected that the dog have BOTH looks and ability. The breeding in coonhounds has come a long way just in my lifetime. There is no other breed of dog on the face of the planet where such a high percentage of the dogs will naturally do what their breed is supposed to do. The people breeding for looks alone are turning this trend around the other direction. They are ruining the coonhound breeds and should be barred from a registry where performance is paramount.
Jeremy Funk