Pet quality?

[Judith]

I am new to showing and to cockers but I have heard this 'pet quality' used a little bit. I dont quite know what this means and am a little uncomfortable with it, does this mean that a dog from a pet home won't be good enough to show ?
I bought my puppy from a lovely lady who clearly loved her dogs, did all the checks as she should do and loved all her dogs, but wasn't interested in the slightest showing .
Can you give some sort of advice of what this type of thing means , thanks

[JaspersMum]

My first "show dog" was bought as a pet and not as close to the breed standard as she might look, to do well in the ring.  We learnt about showing with her though and got bitten by the bug.

She did well at the fun shows and has been placed at open but she'll never make a good show dog in terms of how she looks or moves.

[Dan]

Good question as alot of people say the same about working cockers! If you buy a working cocker as a family pet will it not be to good on the moors etc?

[Jane S]

I am new to showing and to cockers but I have heard this 'pet quality' used a little bit. I dont quite know what this means and am a little uncomfortable with it, does this mean that a dog from a pet home won't be good enough to show ?

Pet quality isn't a term I use but when you do hear it, it generally means "not quite good enough to win at shows". Like JaspersMum, our first ever Cocker was also what might be deemed "pet quality" (although she did come from reasonably well known show lines) and she was never a star in the show ring but we learned lots with her (including trimming & handling) and we wouldn't be where we are now without her I would guess most people start out in showing the same way - very few could ever hope to start with a top quality dog that wins straight away (although it does occasionally happen )

[praia]

Pet quality means that the dog doesn't adhere as closely to the standard as would prove successful in the conformation ring.  Pet quality for working dogs could also mean that the breeders don't believe that the dog has enough drive to succeed in trialing. 

You're going to get pet quality dogs in nearly every litter no matter the pedigree of the dog. Every dog in the 5 generation pedigrees for the dam and sire of my Cocker is in red, but half the pups in the litter were still deemed "pet quality".  Sometimes it all comes down to the minutest detail when it comes to selecting which pups go to pet or show homes.  Sometimes even very experienced breeders can't fully predict how a dog will turn out and a pup sold as a show prospect won't turn out as well as a sibling that was sold as pet quality.

If a breeder isn't breeding with the intention of producing conformationally correct dogs usually you're not going to end up with pups that adhere closely to the standard.  However, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't give it a try and see how your dog does.  As others have stated, this could be a good opportunity to learn, network, and ease your way in the world of showing.

[bajoleth]

I wouldn't consider 'pet quality' as an insult as first and foremost a dog is a pet whether it is shown or not Like the others have said not every pup born is of 'Show Quality' (regardless of how many SH CH it might have in its breeding, though it has more chance if it comes from a well thought out breeding between 2 successful dogs). There is a breed standard and those pups that are as close to the breed standard are considered to be of Show quality, the breed standard includes movement etc and how the dog carries itself etc so there is a lot to consider and can take time to decide whether they are of 'Show quality'.
I am assuming that you are intending on Showing which is great  as others have said there is so much to learn everyone has to start somewhere  so whether you end up with a Champion or just have fun and learn along the way its all good

[Birdie Wife]

My mum used to breed seal point Persian cats and she would sell the show quality ones at a higher price. There were pet quality oens in the same litters that she sold at a slightly reduced price. So I think doesn't generally matter what home they've come from, or what strain, it's the markings and form that determines what makes a show or pet quality.

As an aside, I've shown my working cocker at companion dog shows and she has been well placed on occasion (when she's not too bored and walks well!) but I know she's never going to show properly because she doesn't meet the 'show cocker' criteria. That's fine, she's always first place with me!

[Helen]

Good question as alot of people say the same about working cockers! If you buy a working cocker as a family pet will it not be to good on the moors etc?

IMHO with working cockers bred as pets you generally get a watered down version ie the sire and dam's working ability is unproven from a pet dog and there is no consideration of working ability when these dogs are bred from.  You have no idea if the parents have never worked of how the prodigy will be - you may be breeding from a gun-shy dog or a dog that would have been a 'failed' gun dog but wouldn't know it.  There are certain elements you can train, and pet bred pups have some aptitude but if you want a good working gundog your best bet is to get one from proven stock.  I'm not saying all working cocker pups from working gundog parents will make it as gundogs but they have a far better chance of it.

The other point I think you're raising is the old chestnut of working gun dogs not being able to be pets as well as working dogs - I think it depends on the level of dog you have.   Some Field Trial dogs are so wired and focused they do not make good family pets and are far better off and happier as working dogs in kennels.  Most dogs worked on shoots can be pets as well as working dogs - it's always pointed out when Jarvis decides to leap on my lap in the beaters trailer that 'he's obviously a house dog' - but as long as he's focussed and can do the job then there's no reason for him not to be