Watching AKC "Pukanuba" (another member came up with that, love it) and the "Best Bred By" segment. The Cavalier showed with its tail tucked and looking quite scared and one of the announcers called the dog out on it. The guest announcer lady who is a breeder/shower said it's just a little stage fright, this is a big show, not like others, blah blah blah...."
Nice to see you, a breeder, justifying clearly weak nerves and making excuses for it. Unfortunately there were again a lot of dogs that were clearly nervous. On a positive note, I really enjoyed the handler and greyhound who took a bow.
Now that I think about it I thought the slope was more of how the style became in the AKC. Meega does not have a slope like that at all. Personally I'm not a big fan of a slope that large as it seems to make it harder for them to move. However, this is my totally untrained eye so maybe I am totally wrong.
JMHO, the sloping back is a 'side-effect' of the elongated stifles and exaggerated angles of their hind legs. It's just that the slope is more obvious to the average person and that's why it gets the attention rather than their hind-end construction.
I saw that Cavalier, too! That was awful. When the judge went to the table to inspect his teeth and head, his tail was clearly tucked the whole time. Not only was he nervous then, even during the down-n-back he had a tight expression with eyes darting all around.
I can't believe the announcer said it's "understandable" given the noise, lights, people. Really? Ugh....
Originally Posted By: Murphy-ElperroguapoJMHO, the sloping back is a 'side-effect' of the elongated stifles and exaggerated angles of their hind legs. It's just that the slope is more obvious to the average person and that's why it gets the attention rather than their hind-end construction.
That makes sense. The angles in the hind legs are very much extreme, which would cause a slope overall. Again I would think that would make it harder to run and make them not be able to herd as well, since they are in the herding group. Just watching the dogs gate I can almost bet that Meega, along with most of the shepherds I see on here would run circles around that one.
I Have an Am bred that I show/will be showing ( we have already done one show and we will be doing another the 13th and 14th of this month) She is not as sloped as most of the shepherds and she doesnt wobble when she walks either, I got a lot of good comments about her while we were at the show. Some of the ppl there were disturbed at how some of the shepherds were moving in the ring. Some of the ppl LOVED my girl because her movement was not like the others and she was VERY socialable. Anyways, I plan on titling my dog in many different things, this spring I will start some herding with her. I will be doing agility with her too depending on what her hips come back.
well it is very sad for me to see what has become of "american showline" shepherds. a beautifully moving shepherd is indeed a sight to see. nobody saw one tonight. her rear conformation and movement did not look sound
Kathy can you youtube it or maybe pull it up on animal planet.com?
I only caught a little of the show. I miss dogshows.
I went to what seemed like a gazillion as a kid. My favorite part of them then was all the awesome vendor booths...oh and the fact that I would walk around thinking I was so awesome with Rottweilers twice my size! LOL!
I turned on the TV just as they were showing the herding group (yay for lucky timing) and was excited to see three of the four types of Belgians in the ring, but disappointed to see the German Shepherd.
I didn't think that the dog moved the way a German Shepherd should move, at all, and the comment that was made by the commentator was just odd. She explained that the purpose of the slope to the back is so the dog can keep his head low while herding sheep. Huh?
My computer connection is so slow here I cannot download video at all. Sometimes even pictures here take forever. Oh well...... I will see the next one.
Actually, there was one dog one of the commentators said was in the agility ring earlier. The dog had an RN and a MXJ I believe. I forgot which breed, though, but I did jump up in excitement when I saw it.
Originally Posted By: Historian
I didn't think that the dog moved the way a German Shepherd should move, at all, and the comment that was made by the commentator was just odd. She explained that the purpose of the slope to the back is so the dog can keep his head low while herding sheep. Huh?
My wife and I are expecting early next year and our male dog Grendel has gotten obsessed with my wife. Sticks to her like glue.
We typically commute together so most days we obviously get home at the same time, and he’s been barreling out of the crate like it’s on fire to find her. He’ll knock...
Hey guys! :dancingtree::snowmen::dancingtree:
Pardon the all caps title, I wanted to make sure everyone saw it and had the chance to join in if they're interested. ....and I might be a little excited! :grin2:
WHAT IT IS:
So every year this forum's members host a Christmas/Holiday card...
Greetings from Irmo, South Carolina!
My girlfriend and I recently moved from SW suburbs of Chicago, IL to Irmo, SC, getting away from the cold, the chaos, and the taxes:laugh2:.
I had (for 13 years) a Cocker Spaniel that we had to put down in August. He had been my sidekick since I was 17...
What’s your opinion on dog parks? Do you guys have Any horror stories or have you only had good experiences?
The first time I brought kuru to a dog park was when she was 18 weeks old and it ended up easily being the worst decision of my life lol! At first it was all good, I had the whole thing...
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