The Weak Hock Debate - Page 2

               

                             I am not at all knowledgeable about the physical affects of this type of body structure.  But, I can see why some might be drawn to this type as they are very beautiful....JMO...............
                                                                                             Ruger1

To go back to Mark3's post, i felt compelled to bring this video to people's attention because it was filmed only four months ago.  It is tragic that dogs like this are still viewed as acceptable in the show ring.  They may look beautiful to some eyes, but could they really do a day's work.

If Jemima Harrison dislikes these dogs, then she should have included them in PDE and asked why the GSD is turning into a corgi.

The worrying thing is that I can see dogs like that shown in the video ending up in the show rings over here.  The dreadful incidents at Crufts regarding the GSD BOB and the lady expelled from the building have changed the world of GSD showing for ever.  The German/International side are now gaining entries for their own shows.  The Kennel Club are taking away CC's for GSDs at their Championship Shows and giving appointments to judges who favour the English type.

These judges will invariably favour the extreme English type out of the small number of dogs they have to judge to make a point, which is why I believe the future can only end up with dogs like those shown in the video in the show ring.  I noticed at one of these recent Championship shows, two dogs had their places withheld.  Was it because the dogs didn't fit the judge's idea of "type"?  Not a great incentive for someone to carry on showing if they are newcomers who took the time, trouble and expense to enter the show and didn't realise that their GSD's would be deemed that poor that they would be denied a rosette.

In fact, I wonder if there will be any newcomers to the world of GSD showing at all in the future.  Not everyone wants to have their dog breed surveyed, not everyone is capable of running their dog continously around a large ring on the end of a lead or wants to show in the atmosphere of a specialist GSD show.  In view of the rapidly falling entries, I predict that many Championship shows will drop GSDs altogether or will persevere with judges on the English side which leaves a lot of people with nowhere to go.  That will mean that a lot of fit, healthy and good examples of the breed will never see the show ring and that is a real shame.

Louise.

 lol, this is too funny.  i was actually sitting in the corner to the right of the camera man.  i just want to say one thing.....if you think the video of these dogs looks bad, you would be shocked to see them up close and personal.  it's a real shame.  wobbly does not even describe what these dogs looked like when watching them run from behind.  it honestly looked like if the handler farted in the wrong direction, the dog would just fall over.  very sad.  i think there may have been one dog that walked semi-normal.

:(

 Hey, that is an all-breed ring.  Those dogs are quite moderate compared to GSD specialty.

And that's criminal.

"I noticed at one of these recent Championship shows, two dogs had their places withheld. Was it because the dogs didn't fit the judge's idea of "type"? Not a great incentive for someone to carry on showing if they are newcomers who took the time, trouble and expense to enter the show and didn't realise that their GSD's would be deemed that poor that they would be denied a rosette"

Or could it be that the judge was judging honestly, and withholding from dogs that were not fit for function?

As the show I was at on Sunday I followed in an exhibitor with what I though was a young male GSD, walking on a loose lead alongside its owner, so made allowances in my mind for the fact that it was crossing its hocks as it walked in front of me.  I was amazed that it was not entered in puppy or even junior, but a higher class. Its hocks were so loose even standing they were crossed and the hind pasterns were almost horizontal on the floor.  People I was with in my other breed were pointing at it and asking me why it was allowed to be shown.  Was it placed?  Of course.   I cannot believe the owner does not know this dog is not made or moving correctly, do people not watch their dogs?  If it was mine it would not be in a show ring unless or until I had strengthened its hind legs (if that was possible).    And don't even get me started on the stick I took about the double handling that was going on. 

The issue is, if you or I can see the "weak hock" syndrome, when they enter or are in the ring, How in the hell can the Judge not see this?? Are they blind, or complicit, or corrupt?? Personally, Conformation judges used to be respected, many many years ago, when they judged dogs that were fit structurally and mentally. Today.......I have NO respect for 90% of conformation judges because they continue to reward these flawed dogs. JMO

 SV judges are now taking this issue very seriously, it is one of the main aspects they wish to address, as they now realize that this aspect has been ignored, tolerated or even desired during recent years.  I was at a show this weekend and the two SV judges there very very severe on over-angulated dogs with weak, unstable hocks, whereas previously I have seen judges ignore these faults. Also read last years foto urma book and you will become aware that the judges know that this in an issue that must be dealt with, as it is one that seriously affects the working ability of a dog.

Aren't these the same judges that created this phenomenon. So now they SEE the light when many of us have been saying this type of structure is incorrect for years and years. The light bulb went on ...huh?!  The same thing is happening with temperament, courage, and working ability. But for now, I am just a showline hater and will probably have to wait a few more years when these situations are so bad that the bulb will go on again, before the movement starts to address these issues. Tsk, Tsk!!