As Lance Armstrong goes down in a flame of performance-enhancing controversy, the public is once again reminded of the lengths that people will go to in order to win. It's not just people, however, that need an eye kept on them, pooches do too. The Westminster Kennel Club has come out explicitly stating that they are on the lookout for performance-enhanced dogs, at this year's 137th Westminster Dog Show.
It might sound silly - after all, how is that lovely canine going dope itself? Or even more perplexing, which dog in the locker room do they approach when they need a refill on their 'roids?
The concern, however, is really aimed at zealous owners, who will primp and shoeshine their dogs in whatever capacity necessary to win.
"It goes against the spirit of showing dogs in their appropriate state," Westminster President Sean McCarthy said Monday, the opening day of the show, which ends Tuesday.
Among the practices barred are cosmetic surgery, braces, painting a nose black (yes, this does happen), and any modifications to the dog's natural appearance. Also not allowed is the use of illegal drugs, which can be hard to detect since, well, there isn't a comprehensive testing system in place to test dogs for illegal substances. Plus, many of the judges aren't qualified enough to know whether or not the dog they are scrutinizing is on anything.
"Our judges are not all veterinarians," Westminster television host and breeder David Frei said. "They can't tell if a dog is on greenies."
The dog show, which will wrap up today, already has some winners in categories from Monday. An American foxhound named Jewel won the hound group, a bichon frise referred to as Honor won the nonsporting group, and an affenpinscher called Banana Joe came out on top in the toy group. Swagger, an English sheepdog, went home with the herding group win.
We'll have to wait and see if any of yesterday's or today's winners will have their prizes taken away due to performance enhancers - but in the crazy world of dog-breeding, which has resulted in the most genetically-diverse species on our planet, isn't anything possible?
Read our recap of the first day of the 2013 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
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