Asking for critiques - Page 1

I know someone else stated the same thing I am going to say. 

I don't understand why people continue to ask for everyone's critique.  What is it going to accomplish?  You are asking for the expertise of anonymous strangers that may not know squat.  What happens if people don't like your dog?  Are you going to get rid of it?  Are you seeking validation?  Why do you care what others think about your DOG?  Is it a vanity issue? 

If you do care and truly want an honest opinion of your dog, take him/her to a damn show.  There old people with blue hair that will give you their years of experience on this subject.  Hell, they will probably even feel up your dog and you both will win.  Each one of you will get stroked.

I just don't understand it.  Why the need?  The only reason I have ever looked at those threads is because I just nuked some popcorn and I want to read the rude comments.  I get so upset when the dog is adorable and everyone gives their approval.  It really ruins my day. 

Now, I understand if someone is going to purchase a dog and ask for opinions, but why after you already own the one eyed, displastic, long haired piece of garbage? 

Dude, run the thing in a circle, let some old lady in an evening-gown stroke it and call it a day.

I am guilty of this personally but lets look at this

You say go and show your dog.  OK Well I do (it may not be SV- yet but UKC and AKC ) But reguardless of where you show I have learned this - Judges are people that have opinions just like everyone else. Some are by the book and actually stay to the standards. Then you have the ones that let their personal opinions or greed come in to play. Some like the trendy looks while others like the extreme. So it is a needle in the hay stay to find a Judge that is actually true to the standards that are written in the books.

Now when I posted my old American female I had a couple people that know the old lines and old standards came on and comment on her. Their opinion on this board has has been label as knowledgable and respected,  So it was very helpful. I did get others opinions that I went though but not knowing them or their back rounds I took as a comment and left it as that.

You said  "You are asking for the expertise of anonymous strangers that may not know squat"  True again.  You have to take everything in and filter though it and know who is commenting. There are so many people on this board that know what they are talking about and give tips and pointers. It would be a waste not to ask for their advise!. Older people that are willing to share their experiences and tricks of the trade in this breed are always welcomed in my book (priceless).

Now the ones we all know that blow smoke and don't know their head from their own ass well you just skip over them.

You said "Now, I understand if someone is going to purchase a dog and ask for opinions" Tell me what the difference is they still don't know squat from what you are saying.

I personally like receive comments on my dogs for a couple reasons I try not to be kennel blind and this is one way.  I breed my own pups and dogs so this really helps. People see what I may not see and bring it to light. Also Stacking, I have learned a couple tips from a few members and it really has helped me in the stacking area (again priceless).

Would I give up my dog on what is said here? Well  ....no, But If I was looking to show and the respected people came on and said "your dog looks hummm....    homely and I doubt you would be able to place"  well then I might think about getting another dog for showing and turn that one in to a Oedience dog.

Just my opinions EK

Three cheers for the Don

I am guilty of this personally but lets look at this

You say go and show your dog.  OK Well I do (it may not be SV- yet but UKC and AKC ) But reguardless of where you show I have learned this - Judges are people that have opinions just like everyone else. Some are by the book and actually stay to the standards. Then you have the ones that let their personal opinions or greed come in to play. Some like the trendy looks while others like the extreme. So it is a needle in the hay stay to find a Judge that is actually true to the standards that are written in the books.

Now when I posted my old American female I had a couple people that know the old lines and old standards came on and comment on her. Their opinion on this board has has been label as knowledgable and respected,  So it was very helpful. I did get others opinions that I went though but not knowing them or their back rounds I took as a comment and left it as that.

You said  "You are asking for the expertise of anonymous strangers that may not know squat"  True again.  You have to take everything in and filter though it and know who is commenting. There are so many people on this board that know what they are talking about and give tips and pointers. It would be a waste not to ask for their advise!. Older people that are willing to share their experiences and tricks of the trade in this breed are always welcomed in my book (priceless).

Now the ones we all know that blow smoke and don't know their head from their own ass well you just skip over them.

You said "Now, I understand if someone is going to purchase a dog and ask for opinions" Tell me what the difference is they still don't know squat from what you are saying.

I personally like receive comments on my dogs for a couple reasons I try not to be kennel blind and this is one way.  I breed my own pups and dogs so this really helps. People see what I may not see and bring it to light. Also Stacking, I have learned a couple tips from a few members and it really has helped me in the stacking area (again priceless).

Would I give up my dog on what is said here? Well  ....no, But If I was looking to show and the respected people came on and said "your dog looks hummm....    homely and I doubt you would be able to place"  well then I might think about getting another dog for showing and turn that one in to a Oedience dog.

Just my opinions EK

So the people asking for critiques, have now been critiqued, by the DON! LMAO

IMHO maybe people just want to learn, as well! I have found that reading critiques helps me to learn to assess conformation.

No offense to anyone and I'm not singling any out.  I just don't get it.

You don't go around asking what are your qualities and faults, do you?  If you do, then you must be a body builder, pageant contestant, etc.  And these people go to judges and trainers, etc. for their critique, not some Joe Blow sitting behind a computer.

So if you don't ask people about your personal critique, why care what some Joe Blow thinks about your dog?  You probably already think your dog is the shiznit, so what does it matter? Why listen to an insecure ass ridicule your mutt?

Newbee

That's fine.  Learning is great.   

If you truly want to learn, go to a show and pay attention to the judges critiques.  Buy some books, videos and subscribe to a magazine.  Even USA's magazine will give detailed evaluations every now and again.

I'm not saying that you don't do those things, but it is a better source.  If I wanted to know what Montana looks like, I would be better off going there or looking at pictures instead of asking this board.

EK

You are right in that you have to filter the comments on here.   Also, you are right on the judge aspect.  Even in Schutzhund, there are judges that you jknow will boost your ego and others that will tell it like it is.

You don't go around asking what are your qualities and faults, do you?

LOL no I have very honest people in my lfe (friends, family and inlaws, ex husband,  oh and hey the children too !) that let know what my faults are and sometimes my qualities  ROTFLMAO!!! So I don't need to ask they give freely. ( My daughter is reading this and agreeing LOL)

I'm not saying that you don't do those things, but it is a better source.  If I wanted to know what Montana looks like, I would be better off going there or looking at pictures instead of asking this board.

But I am here like so many others to learn new things about the  shepherds  and this is a shepherds forum right ? not montana? Yes, going to shows is great but they fly by so quickly  and really don't point out anything. So all you really see is some pretty dogs stacked. And again depending on the judge, who will win is it for standards, greed, or personal likes? So what really did you learn?

SO Don what books , videos, and mags would you refer? I am always up to new information. Personally I would like videos.

I like hearing from the older crowd that have the knowledge and experiences. People that have been with the breed for 10-50 years that have seen what a true shepherd was/is. Ones that can truely say Been there -  seen that. These are the people I was wanting to look at my dogs telling me if they are true to the standards. And again I have had them from this Board! so I will keep asking and learning.

And the people that don't like seeing these thread well skip over them continue to read the bashing junk that is posted

EK