A look at conformation & movement of 2014 VAs - Page 5

Not wild about Memphis; lots of bulk in the forehand when compared to the hindquarters, combined with short-coupling. Would rather see better balance between front and rear. In the photo above, the front half of the dog says "Achtung!", while the rear suggests, 'Think I'll have a seat right here..."

Of the choices offered so far, it's a toss-up for me between Djambo and Caruso.  I like that there's nothing extreme about Djambo; I also like the fact that the breeder clearly has a vision in mind with his breeding program--look at this dog's pedigree, and you find generation after generation of Fichtenschlag dogs and bitches behind him, and for the most part the phenotype is quite consistent.  No complaints from me when Bax is in the lineage, nor does seeing the French ringsport dogs in the backend, either [Haut Mansard, Val D'Anzin, etc.].

Caruso falls significantly behind Djambo, for me; the topline isn't my cup of tea, and at just 2 yrs 9 mos of age, that's far too young [IMO] for him to be tagged with a VA rating.

The others offered for consideration are too course, too bulky, too 'thick' for my tastes. I prefer medium-sized, moderate-framed dogs and bitches, with sufficient bone but not to the extent that their limbs look like pilons on a pier.

Excellent post Hexe as usual

I like watching the VA TSB. You often get to see the dogs walking away loose (no lead), plus how they perform, temperament, but also coordination and spead or lack of. A video of 2013s VA dogs for jerzypawlik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRBi7gym-Ms

Results (VA placements not relevant) : http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/showresults.htm?year=2013

It's my understanding that Memphis is considered by many to be one of the up and coming young males in Germany. He was Va3 at the Austrian sieger under the the same judge who will judge him at the BSZS. We shall soon see how he places there. Some I know think he will Va, others a high V.

I rather like him, don't find his head overdone as compared to most of the popular German dogs I've seen in photos. I think the angle of the photo is a bit off making him look as if he has a little more front than rear. If you study the position of his head it is turned slightly toward the photographer and his front feet look as if they are not set directly in front of the rear. I think his backline is a huge improvement over the "normal". I think he's a very appealing looking dog with a soft, intelligent expression.

After looking a Djambo's video, I have changed my mind about him. He appears to be sickle hocked and doesn't have good rear movement IMO. His rear movement doesn't look smooth to me, he lifts his rear legs too high, it doesn't look smooth, too choppy and he appears to be moving on his hocks, not his feet. He may be compensating so as to avoid striking the front feet. The video is too short to say that for sure. He is restricted in front, doesn't open his shoulder joint fully. IMO his movement is not effortless and efficient. A very attractive dog with a pretty head. Good breed type.

He could be trained a lot better, maybe that's the way they do it in Germany? I think Moses could make him look a lot better .

He is restricted in front, doesn't open his shoulder joint 

Well most WGSL don't open their shoulder joint very well, so he is not any less than others in that area

Watching Djambo gait makes me like his topline less though I still consider it an improvement, I think the recent thread about toplines we had here few months ago + blitzen's never ending comments about arched toplines spoiled my liking for them :)

I think Moses could make him look a lot better .

LOL, Blitzen! 

Ibrahim said -  blitzen's never ending comments about arched toplines spoiled my liking for them :)

Ha, ha, mission accomplished!!!!

I'm not comment anything about Djambo....

All I'm going to comment is that from the TSB posted video of last year VA dogs I only liked Enosch (although his head is not to my liking), Labo, and Mentos. All the other ones where not to my linking due to "funny" way of walking (when you look at them from the rear), funny way of behaving on the field, appearing nervous, disoriented, etc.

I'm in no way expert on WGSL, I'm just expressing my personal comments based on my first and short impressions of the dogs presented in this video.