Echo's conformation - Page 2

Thanks Sunsilver!

My ears started ringing as soon as he said the first two were "very good".  I tried really hard to retain everything he said.  He said her color could be richer, then specified her tan was a little light.  He said she had a good shoulder but her upper arm could have more "slant" so he was surprised at how much power and reach she had especially when he asked them to move out "fast".  He commented more than once about her power and reach, he was really impressed and also said she had a very correct rear angulation.  He said she was a large bitch of medium build.  He said she had a good, strong back and that she was well balanced.  What he didn't say also spoke volumes because he let everyone know that working line dogs were not pretty.  That too much effort went into breeding for bite and drive.  Then he turned around and said that showlines were not suitable for working because they had no drive or grip and he didn't like what he was seeing in regards to their rear ends and sloping backs.  He made it clear he wanted both lines to work towards the perfect dog.  I thought it was a nice speech.  He complained that working dogs' withers are too low and that most of what he saw today had too light an eye.  (Echo's are very dark brown so I know he liked them) and he liked her topline.  Echo also had a bare spot on her muzzle that he mentioned wanting to know if she has mange!  I let him know she has a habit of poking her nose out the cat door and scraped it up which made him laugh.  (no we don't have a cat but the previous home owner did and Echo has figured out how to poke her head out to see what we are doing in the garage...LOL)  I didn't hear what he said about the bitch he put up in 1st place (my ears were still ringing) so I don't know if it was just the color (she was red) or better body type (smaller, stockier) or a combination.  I didn't care about the placement, all I cared about was getting the rating so I am estatic over the VG. 

Deb

WOW! That is so awesome... I feel excited for you too. Thankfully you knew where the bald spot came from. I would have frozen up and the cat woulda got my tongue ;-) You probably remembered more than I would have, I have a blotchy memory when I get over-excited LOL

Those were some excellent comments and educational too! I guess in a lot of ways beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It's true a whole lot of the workingline dogs are rangier, but when I see them I think "Working Dog"
Although I have to admit I like that Echo is a larger bitch. My male is tiny so I'm hoping that Indi turns out half as nice as Echo is, and also has the substance that your bitch does  :-)

Again, Congratulations!!!!!!!!  and give her a big ole hug for me!

Stacy

Thanks again Stacy & vonissak. 

I failed to mention the bitch he put up ahead of Echo was a German showline.  There were several dogs/bitches entered in just about every category from the same kennel, Adelhaus (I think that's how they spelled it). They pretty much cleaned up and all of their dogs were deep red in color.  The judge did comment on how some of their dogs were over developed for their age but they did have nice thick coats and were put together pretty soundly.  There were a lot of working lines represented to and they were nothing to sneeze at.  There some really nice dogs there.

And Stacy, I don't think you have anything to worry about with Indie.  She is a nice pup!
Deb

That's great news, I think Echo has alot of nice dogs in her pedigree, some nice looking American showlines that are select and ROM, she has an interesting combination of dogs, and many ScH's in the background, she does have a very nice grip!

You should be very pround of her, isn't it a nice feeling to walk away with a ribbon, she seems very well-behaved to stand & show us her ribbon!

Congratulations!!!

                Paula

LOL She does look proud standing there!

Stacy

Deb,

Con gra tula tions to you and to Echo, well done, both of you earned it, very nice comments from the judge on a nice dog of yours. Echo is a well built and beautiful dog. Congratulations also to all those who stood by you and helped in getting her very good title.

All the best
Ibrahim

Thanks Paula, I didn't really think much of her pedigree when I compare it to my old girl's and I appreciate your comments.  I have had zilch luck in getting pictures of the parents from the breeder and the pedigree info peters out on her mom's side.  It was a fun feeling to have that ribbon handed to me especially when I wasn't even thinking about that. 

Stacy, she does look kind of proud in her pic doesn't she?  I spent time every day leading up to the trial working on getting her to stack and not move for me so it was very rewarding to have her stand for this pic. What you didn't see is the other pic of her with the ribbon in her mouth giving me that wicked, onery look before I told her to drop it.  She was ready to rend it to pieces.

Ibrahim, thank you!  It definately was a joint effort in getting her to this point.  I was informed by my club president that I should be telling people her proper rating of "SG2"...live and learn.  She is proud of us too.

Deb

Cool, Congrates !!!!!!!! What a nice Xmas present.
Always,
Cee