Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:09 am Post subject: Conformation
Perhaps now we have [hopefully] made progress towards identifying the sable gene in the Brittany we can look towards other things that are creeping in.
For instance;
There seems to be a lot of dogs coming up from the first classes with long backs and small heads. This is making the outline longer rather than square, so we are in danger of loosing the 'cob' which is typical Brittany.
Any thoughts on this Is the outline more or less important than the colour which can, after all, be bred out within a couple of generations and which, if we are being honest, does not affect either their shape nor the ability of the dog to perform in the working field _________________ Jan
Merlin, hips 9/9=18 and Ghillie, hips 8/9=17
Pull [n or v] An equal and opposite force perpetrated on both ends of a lead that results in the inevitable tripping and falling of the human involved!!
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 10:03 am Post subject: Re: Conformation
Ghilliegumdrop wrote:
Perhaps now we have [hopefully] made progress towards identifying the sable gene in the Brittany we can look towards other things that are creeping in.
For instance;
There seems to be a lot of dogs coming up from the first classes with long backs and small heads. This is making the outline longer rather than square, so we are in danger of loosing the 'cob' which is typical Brittany.
Any thoughts on this Is the outline more or less important than the colour which can, after all, be bred out within a couple of generations and which, if we are being honest, does not affect either their shape nor the ability of the dog to perform in the working field
I've seen this too. I haven't judged for a while (except in Norway recently) but I think it could be down to all rounder Judges placing longer backed dogs higher in preference to something else they don't like - maybe movement they aren't used to for example? _________________ Annie
Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away
Or even breeders not knowing what to breed for or not being able to look at their dogs and see them objectively ie; kennel blindness _________________ Jan
Merlin, hips 9/9=18 and Ghillie, hips 8/9=17
Pull [n or v] An equal and opposite force perpetrated on both ends of a lead that results in the inevitable tripping and falling of the human involved!!
I think the majority of dogs currently displayed in the ring can be traced to only a handful of breeders. I suggest that most of these take great care to develop their lines. However we all know that not every puppy in a litter will be a star even if both parents were perfect. the criticism could be levelled at breeders if they themselves were promoting animals that were not the best they had.
We are also witnessing a greater number of new owners / handlers and therefore may be seeing dogs that a few years ago would not have been shown?
I think Annie therefore has it - indeed personal experience has proved this on several occasions; inexperienced judges, and allrounders with a specialism in other breeds can often miss the whole point of our breed. Only a month or so ago Ellie took reserve best dog in a Ring Craft competition whilst Catja did not make it into the judges cut let alone a place. Now I did not mind in the least as it was only a fun event and it was great to see Ellie noticed - indeed has made me think once again more carefully about her - but the judge, who owns flatcoats and WSS was taken by her movement and alertness rather than any understanding of the standard. _________________ Guy, Ellie, Topaz, Catja and in memory Barley
Beauty from Structure
www.epagneulbreton.org.uk
That's exactly what I am getting at. I enjoy my two girls winning from time to time and Freckles does have 2 tickets but as a Judge myself I know that Allez is far better constructed than both of them. Breed judges usually see that but not always all rounders. _________________ Annie
Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away
Also some judges have a " thing" they may prefer? like heads,or deep bodies, or ??? for example... Be interesting to ask?
Hence you can recognise a" kennel" by their type. For isntance in France you always recognise a St Lubin.
It is a matter of choice. You could have a short back but an ugly head, sound body etc...? After that it is a matter of opinion!
Sometimes too, you get a "pet" dog sold just for that who ends up in the ring, much to the annoyance of its breeder!
Only a few in a litter will make the cut unless you are very lucky or...very talented
Only a few in a litter will make the cut unless you are very lucky or...very talented Idea
Yes, some people handle well enough to disguise faults, and can change their handling for all rounders and breed judges. _________________ Annie
Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away
And how long has the docking ban been in force, is this only the beginning, people are bound to overlook certain minor faults in there quest to use a dog with the tailless gene, we haven't gone down this route ourselves this time, but you cannot blame people if they do! As we have not been out there showing for some time l don't know if this is the problem or not.
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