American Show Racer
Encyclopedia
The American Show Racer pigeon is known as the "Bird of Dignity".

The breed
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...

 began in the early 1950s with the finest Racing Homer
Racing Homer
A Racing Homer is a breed of pigeon that has been selectively bred for more speed, and enhanced homing instinct for the sport of Pigeon racing. A popular domestic pigeon breed, the Racing Homer is also one of the newest.-Development:...

s selected
Selective breeding
Selective breeding is the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits. Typically, strains that are selectively bred are domesticated, and the breeding is sometimes done by a professional breeder. Bred animals are known as breeds, while bred plants are known as varieties,...

 for their breed type. Levi mentions Show Pen Racers in his book The Pigeon. He describes the early development of the breed in the U.S.A. and early breeders of the variety. In 1952, The American Show Pen Racer Club was formed at the National Show held in Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...

, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...

.

As years passed, the word “pen” was removed from the club name and it was officially changed to The American Show Racer Association.

As the breed developed, the standard
Breed standard
A breed standard in animal fancy and animal husbandry is a set of guidelines which is used to ensure that the animals produced by a breeder or breeding facility conform to the specifics of the breed....

 was updated and in the year 2000, a new standard drawing was created and accepted by vote of the membership. Emphasis is placed on "station" (which includes an upright posture) and a powerful head. The bird should be very smooth feathered.

The American Show Racer Association currently has approximately 150 members in 37 states and seven countries. It is an affiliate club of the National Pigeon Association. A link to the club's official website can be found below.

The breed is popular at the shows. In November 2007 at the Pageant of Pigeons that was held in San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...

. Approximately 150 were entered by 15 exhibitors.

External links

  • http://www.americanshowracer.com
  • http://show-racer.forumactif.com/index.htm
  • http://www.npausa.com
  • http://www.purebredpigeon.com
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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