Had a good day at Crufts

[lankeela]

Took three of my own and showed two more for my friend. GSD was 4th out of nine, Heelers got a second, two thirds and a fourth. Better than I expected as our judge seemed to favour a particular kennel(!).

[boxtops]

well done, lankeela - it's not my cup of tea really, but we watched some of the agility classes on TV, there was a smashing little white dog who'd come from Spain (with the Spanish colours in his mane) - I didn't get the breed, but my, was he fast!

[argorstran]

Well Done - sounds like you had a very busy day looking after 5 dogs !

[beejay1124]

v good lankeela

[lankeela]

Fortunately had lots of help - I spent most of the day pushing my way through the crowds from one hall to another - it took about twenty minutes to get from the GSD ring to the Heeler ring and back as they were about as far apart as they could be. The GSD that was third in the Group was Rico's dad.

[RATTER15]

Congrats Lankeela, >>Better than I expected as our judge seemed to favour a particular kennel(!). <<

This what I really dislike about about showing, it is often a case of if the face fits!

We were at a show only a few weeks ago, It was very obvious from the judging that the judge preferred small dogs, He spent ages looking over and examining the small dogs in every detail but hardly gave a second glance at the larger dogs. Judges also make it quite obvious who their favourite owners are as they are very chatty and smiley with certain owners and then those owners get placed, it all appears very corrupt to me. Its because of this that we will not be showing our dogs very much any more.

I saw the GSD best in group last night on youtube live, I couldnt believe the winning GSD looked disabled with that dreadfull sloping back with almost a hump on its back, I thought this new president was going crack down on these traits, it takes time I suppose.

[jules77]

Well done Jacky. First time my boy hasnt been placed at Crufts, we were in Open Dog competing against every other champion dog that could come out of the woodwork LOL...there were 27 entries in all eeek.

Ratter, every judge is going to favour a particular type. I am sure I am not alone in researching what a judge likes, or what they have placed beforehand before I enter a show, although some shows I just go anyway for the day out. I dont judge, and I dont want to, but I have judged two companion shows (never again!!) and I couldnt help but favour some particular breeds as I find them more pleasing to the eye than others. You cant win them all.

[thugulike]

We didn't get anything and it was a sad day for mastiffs. We did, however, meet up with Lankeela (briefly in the Ladies) and I met Fredpuli who, rather confusingly asked my husband if he was thugulike. Ferdpuli did know my mastiff George though. So nice to meet up with other ABers. We did Discover Dogs in the afternoon, never seen so many people queueing hug a mastiff!

[thugulike]

And well done to Lankeela!

[kita1]

Ratter, the GSD may have looked disabled in the footage shown but he most certainly is not in real time. All I can say is sometimes the camera lies.

He is actually SchH3 qualified and is also qualified KKL1 which is a temperament test.

There are more details and photo's of him doing Schutzhund here:

http://www.veneze.com/elmo.htm

He is probably one of the healthiest GSD's in the country.

[welshlibranr]

Very Well Done Lankeela!......

[tinkerbell23]

Is it hard to get into showing your dogs!?

Very well done xxx

[RATTER15]

Kita, I just looked at those pictures, im sorry but that stance with that steep sloping back is a very unnatural for any dog! the legs should be underneath the dog not trailing out the back.

[RATTER15]

http://www.petplanet....d_profile.asp?dbid=65

now what is wrong with a German Sheppard with its legs underneath the dog like the one in the link>

[giveup]

Well done. My sister in law got a second,but I have heard her say the same thing about the judges.

[tinkerbell23]

I just googled crufts winners....

Obviously im a westie fan...

But i LOVE those poodles when they are all fancy cut!!!!! Beautiful...i love all dogs actually...xxx

[micmak]

Surely we all have our favourites. The only way to judge fairly is to have a cat person as the judge, or a horse person or maybe a computer.

[owdhamer]

mrs owd is barking would she qualify

[lankeela]

I really shouldn't get started on the GSD topic! But the standard calls for a topline that slopes gently from withers to croup and the dogs stand naturally with one leg behind if you watch them. The flat table top backs on some GSDs is totally incorrect and would not allow them the flexion from the rear end to scale and jump and the hind angulations allows the steady trotting gait with drive from the rear to go all day when working - don't forget they are a herding breed. Elmo is probably one of the finest GSD's this country has ever seen and he has been back to Germany and won there during his reign as top dog in this country. Add to that his superb temperament and I can only say I am proud to have a son of his.

[lankeela]

LOL just looked at the link you gave - the dog is standing hunched up with not enough space between front and back legs - the back is actually hunched and not straight and the back leg nearest the camera is too far forward and not in a natural position so if it was where it should be showing the correct turn of stifle it would be a very nice example with the correct sloping topline. You can see how the dog stands naturally with one leg back though even though the other leg is too far forward.