anyone with experience in AKC conformation ring - Page 1

I have avery nice looking shepherd that comes from some well know american show kennels like Noblecroft and clayfield, he is related to a german import, Lerry von Cebu. I was wondering if anyone could look at his pictures that i've posted in the "General Articles" section. Gillings mooses dupont is the name. He is mostly german and american line with an few czech lines. I want to know if i should start a showing career with him. he does have a wonderful head on him but he is not angulated, he has a very old style type body. thanks to anyone with an opinion

He does not have any angulation. His stifle is too straight, he does have a nice reach. You didn't show front on pics and rear view to show if he's straight. He may do ok in the UKC shows but not AKC. He does not have nearly enough angulation. peggy @ knightenhaus

I have to agree with Peggy. I like your boy, as he is of the "old school" look that I like best. He will not have a chance in the A.K.C. ring with the sickle-hocked and long-backed contenders. But, do not let that stop you from showing him the A.K.C. ring, as it is good experience for both you and your dog. I do an A.K.C. show occassionally, and know that I will never win. It is interesting, as while the judges always think my dogs are too "German" and too "old school", the viewing public always enjoys when we bring them in four abreast and pulling hard and I actually let people and and their children meet and pet the dogs-something the serious A.K.C. fanciers are a little too snooty to allow. They watch my dogs in the ring, and then watch the classical A.K.C. types in movement and quietly ask sometimes "are those other dogs crippled?" Have some fun and enjoy your dog! Bob-O

I've just posted pictures of his front and rear view, though they are side ways. he has a very big, deep chest, and nice straight hind legs.(not east/westy) Maybe its time to show more dogs with practical structures in the american show rings. The UKC, do thay reconize SCH tiles? Thank you for your feed backs

Bob-O, Since there have been a number of incidents at AKC shows where owners have been sued when their dogs have scratched or playfully knocked over someone's toddler, many no longer encourage strangers to pet their dogs. It doesn't always have to do with their being snooty. Frankly, I am one of them. My dogs have never bitten anyone, but I'm not taking the chance anymore. We live in a litigous society and if a kid or adult is scratched or the skin broken in any way by one of your dogs, you are not going to win the case and in some states you will lose your dog as well. This holds true for these public events termed "meet the breed"; IMO accidents about to happen. One person was sued when his dog was being weighed in for a weight pull and the person doing the weighing caught her hand in the harness and broke a small bone in her hand. Guess who paid the hospital bill?

Blitzen, thanks for a view from a different perspective. I do allow my dogs to be petted, but only while they are under firm control, as I agree that a playful nip or slap with a front paw could start something that none of us want to endure. I agree about the concern for small toddlers near the rings and I don't understand why they are allowed in there with their parents, but many of the shows tend to be public events with no requirement for the attendees to sign a waiver (really worthless anyway) so that is a different issue. They do tend to make me nervous when they walk near any dogs in the ring. But the "snooty" part; oh yes, there are some serious attitudes out there, but that is true in any type of show. And there are many genuinely friendly exhibitors and handlers as well. The dog shows are truely a mix of many different types of personalities and that could be a study of its own. Bob-O

UKC does not recognize titles awarded by any other entity besides UKC; however they do have equivalent protection, tracking and obedience titles you can shoot for. As one who shows in UKC, I'm afraid your male would not do extremely well in UKC conformation either. As Peggy pointed out, he is underangulated, which makes him appear high in the rear, and therefore swaybacked. The judges like to see a male have a broader, more masculine head, and not quite as long a body. But there are plenty of other fun things you can do with your dog in AKC and UKC!

I say if showing is something you would like to try, then just try it. Whether it be Ukc or Akc. Go to have fun and enjoy the experience. Now , if you are going to be horrible upset if you don't place at the top standings, then don't bother to upset yourself. You never know what your competition may be the day you go to a show, you might do better than anticipated. You always have the chance to earn points, meet new people, and make friends.

Know several people now in the UKC show. They encourge owner handling their own dogs. My friends love the UKC shows..

My friends love the UKC shows too, DR. No pro handlers and a much more relaxed, fun atmosphere.