ABSTRACT
Dog shows provide entertainment, stimulate senses and enable sociable conversation, and thus constitute leisure experience for human participants. Cognitive ethology is used to examine dogs’ experience of shows. Although dogs may derive pleasure from sensory stimulation and aerobic activity, unpleasant aspects of shows may cause stress. It is argued that although dog shows constitute leisure for human participants, animals may benefit more from other kinds of activities. Examination of human and canine experience is based on field research conducted at dog shows in Europe.
