Show gait not Natural - Page 5

Edit: you know, idh, you could be right about that, and think now I may have jumped to a wrong conclusion, based on Dallas's accomplishments. My apologies, but at least his daddy Dallas still makes my point valid. And like Firethorn says, he's not the only AKC dog out there doing herding.

Hi everyone, many years ago I saw an SV video on movement that featured Dingo v Haus Gero. He gaited off lead next to a road while they filmed him and explained movement in slow motion. You could clearly see the economy of movement that the correct flying trot allows and would fully believe that this dog could have kept up the gait all day. It's in German, but is a very enlightening video. There was nothing exagerated about his movement but his moment of suspension was clear cut even without the slo-mo. Often, toe-flicks are a way of keeping the front feet off the ground longer so that the back end can catch up. Usually it is a sign of an imbalance between the front and rear assemblies of the dog. Paddling in the front is the same thing, just a different manifestation. You will see dogs toe-flick that also have poor reach and when you look at what is happening behind, you can see why!

Sunsilver, I AM pleasantly surprised to read that any AKC show dog is doing ANY "work". Perhaps things will improve after all. Best Wishes, Jonah

Geneva is a bitch sired by Dallas, Kismet's Sight For Sore Eyes. Many, myself included, felt Dallas was the best thing to hit the AKC ring in many years. He was a truly wonderful dog. Genny is the top winning herding dog meaning she has more AKC herding group placements and Best in Show wins than any other dog shown in the AKC herding group. It has nothing to do with actual herding accomplishments. Videos show us so much regarding movement in dogs. When I first got into showing dogs in 1969, it was felt that the GSD was the only dog with a gait where all 4 feet actually left the ground at the same time. With the advent of the video we now know that all correctly build dogs will have a split second where all 4 feet are suspended while they are moving at a full trot. The GSD is the only breed I know of that exhibits this suspension to the degree that it is obvious to the naked eye. Whoever said a GSD needs a very large ring to move at full extension in order to exhibit the flying trot is absolutely correct IMO. Most AKC breed rings are too small for the handler to be able to show their dogs to their best advantage. The flying trot is breathtaking and no other breed can move with such authority and grace as can the GSD. The GSDCA website has a nicely illustrated standard that includes some excellent sketches of the flying trot and well as movement coming and going and all other aspects of the GSD. GSDCA.ORG click on illustrated standard on the left column. The AKC and the SV breed atandards really are not all that different.

I worked abit with the President of an AKC club and he had a Dallas daughter which he competed with and thought was the greatest. However; when he saw and watched the Seiger Line female I had he was very impressed and admitted she was a much better GSD than his was, basically in every way. I did not ask his opinion he just offered it. He was a nice guy. I am sure Dallas was a nice dog compared to many AKC shepherds. Somtimes times though people get a herding title by simply having their dogs go thru a drill in which they judge the natural instincts of the dog when confronted with sheep but the dog does not actually herd them. Just shows he has an apptitude for it.

Desert Rangers, I'd like to see a pic of your female! It would help me educate myself here. What was the AKC judge competing in, BTW? Surely not Schutzhund?

I sent you a link to see the showline girl I had. She was sold awhile back and now I just have my one workingline female. I plan in the next year to get a male pup as the town I now live in has a Schutzhund club. Never competed in Schutzhund but would be nice to title a dog.

Thank you! It seems the e-mail either bounced or didnt come through yet, though. :(

http://tiptopwebsite.com/desertrangers Here is a website with a pic of Ursa. This was the only Showline I have ever owned. While not near as drivey as my workingline she was extremenly easy to train. My wife actually preferred her of my workinglines due to being lower key and more people friendly. My other girl is aloof with most people. I have over 1000 pics on Kodak software that is totally screwed up or I would send a better pic. Hoping to get the Kodak fixed. Right after we upgraded we get a jagged line across each picture. I cannot save to another location etc...

I found a stacked picture in the database for her: http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/432321.html Nice looking bitch, nice level topline with no roach. :)