Critique of My Dog - Page 1

Some people on this board think I lack the knowledge to judge a dog's conformation. Well, here's a critique of my own dog, so you can judge for yourself....



Medium-large, medium strong female with good feminine expression. Excellent overall proportions, with high withers and good topline. Croup somewhat short and steep Good angulation of the fore and hind, correct chest and shoulder proportions. Excellent feet and pasterns. Pigment of saddle faded (it's even MORE faded now than when that picture was taken) pronounced bitch stripe, coat dry (lacks volume). Ears large and somewhat weak. Elbows turn out, and front feet turn in when gaiting, moves close behind. Ribcage somewhat slab sided, needs more breadth.

And of course, THE most important thing, which can't be seen in a photo....she came back mildly dysplastic in one hip on the OFA evaluation. Her elbows are fine, though. I had her spayed as soon as I found out.

The only thing I don't know how to comment on is how her gait compares to other German shepherds in terms of length of stride, etc.

So, how'd I do, folks?

If you can borrow or have a video camera... gait her on camera for several minutes... then take the tape and put it on slow motion.  You'll be able to see all the things @ that speed that blurr to all except the most experienced at full speed.  Look for the reach with forepaw... it should hit the ground at the same second that the rear leg leaves the ground.  also look at the feet under the body... the rear foot coming forward should fall into the spot left by the fore foot.... You can also look @ tracks in light snow to see this, or spread some flour on a dark floor or pavement and gait her across it. Both again will show you where the feet fall. 

The video that I suggested to Hamza on movement is great on showing each porton of gaiting in slow mo.

www.youtube.com/watch  While you can fault the dog here or there on their gait, it's really good to watch and understand.  Btw, this dog is believed to be Dingo vom Haus Gero. 1983 Seiger

Sunsilver
Thats okay but do not take the comments of others as to what they think you know or do not know personally and as gospel,
You are not alone in that, i too have been told several times and by PM that i know nothing about the Sport of Schutzund, but that is the   persons opinion telling me that, not mine so i take no notice , you know what you know that is enough the same as i know myself that is all that matters
Steve1

I like how Theo moves, and never ever gets tired, he knows how to pace himself, some of my other dogs start off
like it's a race, where as Theo starts at a slow pace and works his way into a comfortable gait.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbJlyZkGmmg  

Bazza, no, it's not a good picture. And the handler is me. My friend should have yelled at me to get my hand off her butt, and lose the leash...

I haven't bothered to get a better one, because she's no longer a show dog prospect, and I have very few friends savvy enough about dogs to help me get a good picture.

The reason I chose my own dog to critique is you would have bashed me if I'd chosen anyone else's. But that's okay, I know with you, I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't...

I've seen that video of Dingo before, and have it bookmarked on my computer. Beautiful gait! 

 

mirasmom
The same as Goran he stated the 12.5 miles miles AD course and kept the same way throughout no a bit bothered at the end of it only wanted to play with his Ball right after the finish, He has unlimited Stamina
Steve1

Please keep one thing in mind......
A dog gaiting "alone" without being on lead.......looks completely different than a dog gaiting on lead.
I think Dingo gaited very nice also......but those( experienced) that "show" & handle, know there is a huge difference when the dog is being "controlled" and when it is "free".  A handler can "create" a bad picture of movement on any dog.
Robin

Yeah, I need to get a video of her gaiting, and play it in slow-motion. I can tell you this, though: she's very fast, and very agile, and has good stamina.

I do have one picture of her being gaited, but it wasn't taken from the best angle. You can see how those front feet turn in a bit, though, and she kind of flips them at the wrist as she moves them forward, before putting them on the ground.

I have never seen another dog with this problem, but if you look at her when she's standing, you'll see though she stands with the feet  pointing straight ahead, the nails are more worn on the inside of the foot than the outside, and she's carrying more weight on the outside of the foot.  It's like the foot itself is higher on the inside pads, though I think the problem is really due to the elbows not being close enough to her body, causing the legs to come more towards the centre line. Anyone ever seen anything to compare with this? Is there a name for it?



Some of you might recognize the handler...