American Show Racer
The American Show Racer (also known as the Show Pen Racer, and nicknamed the "Bird of Dignity") is a breed of fancy pigeon. It began being crafted over 100 years ago in the United States with selective breeding. It is primarily considered a show breed of form rather than racing. The Show racer along with other varieties of domesticated pigeons are all direct descendants of the rock dove (Columba livia). Pigeon historian Wendell Levi mentions Show Pen Racers in his book The Pigeon. He describes the early development of the breed in the United States and early breeders of the variety.
| Life Span | 6-15 years |
| Weight | 0.2-0.5 kg |
What to Know Before Buying an American Show Racer
Finding a responsible American Show Racer breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells pigeons commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the American Show Racer. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding American Show Racers appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for an American Show Racer breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
Search USDA Breeders
