I'm sorry but a lot of that sounds like a copp out to me. JMHO. If you can't hack it in the show ring, then don't breed. I've said this before, but how are things going to change if everyone just gives up? How will poodles of color or partis ever gain the same amount of respect that black and white dogs have, if breeders aren't willing to earn it? Very few things in life are easy, that doesn't make it okay to just quit. If you don't like AKC, try UKC or IABCA. If you don't like conformation, try obiedience, hunting, agility, herding, lurecoursing, weightpulling, etc. W/o competing in something, how do you know your dogs are an asset to the breed? To think you can make that call all on your own seems a bit arrogant. I also have a sneaking suspicion that some of the people that write articles like that just have substandard dogs and are in denial. I also find it troubling when someone who doesn't prove their dogs, thinks they can charge the same amount for puppies as someone who invest time, money and emotions in showing.