Akc conformation with a working line dog? - Page 4

You might want to think about a professional handler or a friend who can move him out fast from the start. Otherwise, he will start out pacing and that can be a hard habit to break. When my dog trialed for her AD, she paced a lot next to the bike, but didn't do it in the ring when moved out fast from the start.  I didn't time her, so don't know at what speed she moved during the AD. She has a very big side gait too.  A dog with a big side gait needs a handler who can run fast, very fast

 

Blitzen, that is exactly what he was doing lol. I did get him to trot a little toward the end of the day when he wanted to come in. I ran with him and let him slowly extend the distance he was out in front, so he was gaiting but moving faster than myself. He started fixing the pace to trot on his own (I'm sure the neighbors thought me crazy as I'm giving my best praise while running ha!) He's a smart boy. I bet a few sessions and we'll get it. He's my big goofy lug.

IABCA shows are alot like UKC, casual and fun, a great learning experience for dog and handler!

While I don't agree with the direction the American Showline and WGSL GSDs have gone I have to wonder what makes UKC more fair for a Working line GSD to be shown in.  All These shows are supposed to be for breeders and owners to exhibit GSDs in order to find the most correct dog that represents the breed on that given day.  AKC shows have a more extreme gait which many consider a fault. In some extreme situations I agree.  However, I have noticed that while many of the GSDs in UKC shows are worthy of being a CH, MANY of them have a choppy gait which is just as faulty as the extreme gait of the ASL.   I do feel that the pitty patty gait because of lifting in front, restricted shoulder movement, no follow through, and kicking up in rear in many of the dogs that are show in UKC because they feel they don't stand a chance in AKC shows, is just as detrimental to the breed as the ASL/WGSL GSDs.  One is just as incorrect as the other. 

Wouldn't it be nice if there was not such diversity on the breed as there is.  Yes the GSD is a working breed, but it must also be built correctly in order to perform the task he was bred and intended to do.  I feel that both SL and WL dogs are becoming way off standard and both are slowly becoming unable to serve the purpose he was originally bred to do. JMO

Oh can we please stop with the gsd should be bred to be able to do the work it was intended to do.

not even the most gullible newb buys that one anymore.

the wgsl is bred to win in the sv show

the asl is bred to win in the akc show

the wgwl is bred to win the bsp


other wl are bred to win the wusv


the ddr line does not exist


the z dogs don't exist


The amount of farmers buying any of them is not worth mentioning.

all the other venues you find the gsd are merry artefacts


each to enjoy their own venue and love and care for their dog but cut the BS sales pitch.

Vk4gsd

He just happens to be a K9 on top of eveything. We don't breed FOR show at all. I would just like to see what he can do in the ring for grins and giggles. Most of his brothers and sisters are doing real work. While not herding, I thing police dog is just as worthy an occupation. 

Hutching, agree completely. 

Melba, police work is the HIGHEST calling a breed can do, serving human kind by keeping them safe. Dont demean that dog's genetics and abilities by putting it in a show ring to be compared to lobotomized wannabe dogs who can only hop in a circle.

a GSD person should have exposure to all parts of the breed. It is unfortunate that a large part of the GSD community has never taken the time to examine working dogs. A well bred working line dog stands out like a ''healthy thumb'' in the AKC show ring. Have fun, and do right.

I'd suggest some here go to a GSDCA specialty and see what the majority of today's top winners look like. The NS is coming up in Kansas in Oct. If you think all ASL's are crap and there are no "healthy thumbs" maybe you need to take another look; it won't turn you into a pillar of salt. Not all workinglines are healthy and sound either. Generalizing about any GSD line is not very smart. There are good and bad individuals in all of them and many today are combinations of working x show, American and German. Don't dump on any GSD just because it's not a dog you like or from a line you like. Watch them all and learn something instead of being a GSD snob.

Workinglines may not do well in an AKC show because they have a different look/type/style, not because they are too sound.  They don't look like GSL's either and it's hard to them to do well at an SV show too even if they move better. They are bred for entirely different purposes. The most attractive GSD I've ever seen was a black sable workingline male...beautiful dog, lovely temperament,  used for the demo dog at an SV show.  I think he would have done well in conformation at an AKC show and maybe an SV show too.

If Melba wants to show her workingline she should show him. She doesn't expect him to go breed or win the points, but neither do most of the other sensible owners of the dogs that are entered.  Everyone who shows at AKC shows knows that any dog can win an AKC show on any given day. It's not like an SV show where the same 2 or 3 dogs always end up at the top. Anyone would be well advised - it you can't take the sting of defeat, don't enter any breed at an AKC show. If you enjoy competing with your dog and showing him off to the other exhibitors, then go for it. I go to all shows other than UKC ones and you might be surprised to know that some ASL breeders actually look at German dogs with open minds. Some are even interested in breeding to them.

 

Blitzen, looking at your posts, one would think you were talking about 5 different breeds, then again, with the state of the GSD today, you may be right. Also, thank you for the tumbs down on this and the other post about Nan's dog and training the recall, AFTER we were done posting. You are correct, the dogs do not get judged on soundness in the AKC ring, if that were the case, no dog in that ring from any breed would qualify. Once again, thank you.