Newbie Conformation Questions - Page 2

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by GSCat on 15 July 2017 - 03:07

Thanks, everyone.

Help and advice are always appreciated.


Xeph

by Xeph on 16 July 2017 - 01:07

I disagree that American dogs don't move with power. Hauling into a collar isn't showing power. The breed isn't made for hauling freight...

by hexe on 16 July 2017 - 03:07

Have to agree with Xeph, especially after having run sled dogs for 10 years--a dog can lean into a collar or harness and drag something along behind it without putting much propulsion from its rear; the power is in the push from the hindquarters, and that's evident to the eye even if the dog is gaiting on a loose lead or completely off-lead.

But the GSD was meant to be neither a sprint-running sled dog nor a long-distance hauling sledge dog--being a living fence would be much less tiring if the movement is feather-light, so long as the dog is able to switch the rear transmission into gear when it's necessary to race after a ewe that challenges the far border of the graze.

The American-line dogs have developed to have a somewhat longer neck than most of the European lines, but their shoulder and the preference for stacking the dog so it stands with the head raised as in alert instead of at ease, tends to exaggerate the length of it. For quite a while the heads were veering so far into over-refined territory that it was hard to distinguish a dog from a bitch, but I've seen a great improvement in the latter in recent years.

The conformation divide between the ASL and the European SL has narrowed greatly in the past decade, from my observations.

Xeph

by Xeph on 16 July 2017 - 21:07

It definitely has. The biggest difference isn't the angles of the dogs...it's the toplines. Overcast vs quite straight. I do not show my dogs at breakneck speeds. Several move right next to me and you can see what you need to see because I move them appropriately. I don't present the illusion of power or suspension because my dogs have it even at low speeds.

That said, I can also admit that my biggest winning dog is not my most correct dog. My most correct dog is my best working dog, though...

Sunsilver

by Sunsilver on 16 July 2017 - 23:07

I certainly think THIS ASL is moving with power! Guess some judges at Westminister thought so, too...

An image

 


Xeph

by Xeph on 17 July 2017 - 01:07

I will admit to hating that picture of Rumor, because her front looks like crap here. She's a decent moving dog though, and nice to hang out with

 


susie

by susie on 18 July 2017 - 20:07

Xeph, I said "LEARNED to pull" without ANY judgement....I talked about different TRAINING -
reread my post...

What I really didn´t like was the temperament of a lot of ASLs - I know you don´t want to hear that, but that´s what I realised ( be it right or wrong - just my personal impression ).

ASLs behave different - the movement may be ( and for a good part surely is ) different training, the overall expression for sure is not.

We are talking about dogs bred for decades for different goals, why is it that out of place to state the differences in temperament I saw at that weekend ( not in all dogs, but in the majority) ?

Xeph

by Xeph on 19 July 2017 - 01:07

What I really didn´t like was the temperament of a lot of ASLs - I know you don´t want to hear that, but that´s what I realised ( be it right or wrong - just my personal impression ).

Who says I don't want to hear it?  It's a common complaint I have.

I have complaints about temperament in the breed in general.


Rik

by Rik on 19 July 2017 - 01:07

1. Never showed before... this will be our first try, and I'm really nervous. I'm mostly concerned about me messing up the movements.

You can only learn by doing and most people start at ground zero. If you are lucky enough to live in an area that offers AKC conformation classes then take them. If not, it won't take many shows to figure it out.

2. When showing a GSD, what is the difference between a full trot and run? If I'm in the ring with other dogs, what do I do if the dog in front of me is going too slowly so I don't break "full trot" and end up at trot or walk? What if I can't keep up with the dog if she gets really excited and decides to do a full-out run all the way around the ring? Is it OK to put a little tension on the leash to slow her down? If in a novice/amateur class, how close does the dog have to be to the perfect healing position for the walk?

All Breed show, then slow up and stay in line. Specialty show, I would blow them by and pretend it was unavoidable. The only speed is walk or trot for the GSD. What you are calling "run" is just a faster trot.

3. How long should the leash be? is one of those combination traffic and "regular"6 foot leashes a good choice for the ring?

All Breed Show 6 ft. is fine. Specialty as long as you can find.

4. I've seen UTubes of different shows and seen it done different ways... for AKC, does the dog trot with the handler, or ahead of the handler? Full trot ahead of or with the handler?

you said it "different shows". just something you will learn with experience.

5. What is it that the judge hands to each of the competitors right before they leave the ring?

ribbons to the 1st. 4 places.

keep in mind that you are getting advice here from different countries and continents. different types and show styles and pretty much different breeds even though they all have bushy tails and pointy ears.

good luck and honestly don't take to heart what an AKC judge thinks about your Czech dog. (or vice versa for that matter) just get involved
and stick with something and you will figure a lot of it out over time.

JMO
Rik



Rik

by Rik on 19 July 2017 - 01:07

Sorry, I missed the "AKC" part of #4. Personally, I would have the dog at my side or a little ahead in the individual round and then as wide open as possible (in an all breed ring) in the group round.

good luck,
Rik





 


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