Westminster tonight..Pics for Best in Show.. - Page 5

I think double-handling has a lot to answer for with shepherds.  I know it's illegal in AKC shows but it sure takes place.  Not saying that these Westminster dogs were double-handled but I go to the huge shows in Harrisburg, PA every year and the Doberman ring is always next to the GSD ring.  The GSD heads are always swiveling around while they're being chirped at and hissed at and trying to find where their person outside the ring is stationed so they can focus on them.  Meanwhile the Dobies walk in and stand like commanders surveying their domain.

Huge difference.   Gives a totally different picture of each breed.

There are a few GSD handlers who teach their dogs to come in with that air of command and nobility about them, but a lot of them, if you watch, are actually encouraging the stupid behavior with their poking and squeaking and double-handling.

The Westminster breed rings are very tiny, also, and that doesn't help.  I didn't think that shepherd showed well in the Group ring, although I do like that dog.  Unlike so many of the German lines, she actually had a rear end and no roach or banana-back!  She didn't show well.  Noticed too last night that the Great Dane didn't show well either - don't know if it was the huge difference between a regular show and suddenly being in a very crowded arena with the crowd ABOVE you in bleachers - very different, but I agree: no excuse for a German Shepherd.

Westminster is not invitee only.  The top 5 dogs in the breed are invited and than they take entries up to the 2500 mark.  Entries have to have attained a CH though.  Eukanuba is invitee only.  Did not get to see the herding group as I don't get CNBC but like most here I do not care for what has become the GSD in the breed ring.  The ACD that I was rooting for unfortunately got BOS so I was a bit bummed.  I liked Stump but the Sussex breed does nothing for me.  I thought it was between Stump and Spirit the GS.  That bitch showed beautifully.

I have to admit I was disappointed at the GSD representation. There were only 3 GSD's in the class and 2 of them were severely cowhocked.

Is this what the showline is coming to? And why only 3 in the class? There were at least 9 in last year's show.

I don't own a showline. I favor the working lines, but all GSD's should follow the same breed standard.

I guess the judge had to pick the one with the least amount of faults. No wonder the GSD didn't win the Herding Group.