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Still applies today
"It is easy enough for individuals to claim for their animals superiority of blood and qualities, and if we have no thorough test for them there can be no way of proving or disproving the assertion. Hundreds of dogs are annually put into the stud and the services sought by sportsmen who depend upon the owner's prejudiced statement, and in this way the number of worthless animals is constantly increased. It must be remembered, too, that it is possible for a dog to be of pure lineage, yet dishonor it by cur-like qualities, and either vanity or lack of experience prevents the owner from detecting this. Unprejudiced and positive tests are therefore greatly needed, and these can only be found in show and trials under judges who have the common interest so keenly in view that they will allow neither friendship nor personal bias to control the awards; men who will bear ever in mind that upon their decision will greatly depend the future reputation of the animal in the stud, and who will therefore examine carefully each specimen before them, giving due credit to beauty and blood, but in all cases where possible requiring also performance ere they pronounce a favorable verdict ". -Arnold Burgis, American Kennel and Sporting Field, published in 1876
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