Crufts 2016 - Page 2

Sunny, I couldn't agree more about the amount of space
they get. But I have to say the UK BOB was roundly
shown up by the way Xeph's girl conducted herself at
Westminster (much as I prefer Germanic type to ASL).

Having now seen at least the challenge for BOB between
the bitch and Sue Worley's dog, (Thank you, Xeph), I feel
that she moves well while gaiting but the judge should still
surely have seen that her movement when she stopped
actually running, let her down; and that there was so much
else to criticise, both then and in her performance later towards
the Group Judge.

It has been noted that quite a few other BOBs in the Pastoral
Group did not respond well to the approach of the Judge, but
I think hers was the most extreme in this regard, and that is
not all down to handling / presentation skills.

 

PS  Xeph:  perfect example of why not to take a bitch any

where near in season into a mixed-sex judging situation,

no ?

As someone formerly invloved in showing, I find it so disheartening to see the deterioration in the German Shepherd as evidenced in the video clip. . Over several years, more and more emphasis has been placed on breeding dogs with a totally unnatural shape, the inevitable conclusing being an ever increasing pool of dogs with hip problems. Both dogs in the Crufts video seem to have extremely over angilated top lines and destined to have hip problems. If that is what the judge and Kennel Club consider to be the best example of German Shepherds available, then I am truly delighted that I left the show scene and now have some healthy, straight back shepherds.

Lets be fair here. The dog is what she is and nobody can change that and so I think that it is unfair pick the dog to pieces.

The real point of focus should be on the Judges that are appointed. As long as the Judges continue as they are then nothing will ever change for the better. If a Judge has a history of breeding and showing dogs with poor characters and other undesirable traits in their stock then the question has to be asked " Should this person be invited to Judge the breed?". Answer : NO

There are those Judges who may have been in the breed say, thirty years but only have one years experience thirty times. Just buying a German import is not proof of experience and, as has been seen, too many are flops.

Mackenzie

I am only able to find 5 bitches entered in the "open class" ( a laughing stock in itself - untitled adult German Shepherd dogs able to achieve a "V" rating, proudly mentioned on WinSis...).
Are there special rules for entering like Westminster, or is everybody able to start there?

Mack, this female was shown at least 16 times prior to this show, 11 times she was judged by German judges.

Hi Susie

All I can say is that even German Judges miss things too. Most people in the world follow the German Judges and the development of the breed and the resulting changes did not begin outside of Germany. Sorry my friend because I am committed to the German dogs and the system.

Mackenzie

I didn´t try to say that German judges don´t fail - far away - I tried to underpin your statement:
" As long as the Judges continue as they are then nothing will ever change for the better."

I don´t care where a judge comes from... Might have been too sarcastic.

Several points here, people:

1 There is next to no confirmed evidence that the modern
topline is directly related to ANY health problems. Theories
and opinions abound, but because there IS NO LINK with
Hip Displasia, in particular, is exactly why the Kennel Club alone
has been unable to prevent the 'exaggerated sloping topline'
and The Hinge becoming more prevalent through breeding
over the past decade, despite all the "Healthy & Happy"
rhetoric.

I am known to have been loud in defence of the overall shape
of the 'modern' GSD. I have only recently revised my opinion
to the extent that it has gone a 'step too far' in recent years;
breeders and judges - and exhibitors who are neither of those -
have let this happen. And it may not be unhealthy, but it IS now
ugly and ungainly. Smooth gaiting at fast speeds has been
allowed to take precedence over general soundness and the
ability to procede at a WALK without looking like they are
falling over. I know a lot of people in Shepherds in the UK
think the same. It is precisely big kennels like that of the
BOB Crufts judge, IMO, that have been at the forefront of
continuing to produce this development in the evolution of our
breed - and it really ought to have had the brakes put on.

Up to 10 years ago when I was still actively attending Shows,
of both British 'types' (i.e. Kennel Clubs / large General All-
Breed Shows, those where Alsatians generally found more
favour; and the 'Germanic / SV styled' specialist Breed Shows
run by our own Clubs), this was being touted as a much bigger
problem than it actually was. People with vested interests
stirred up 'pet' people on the subject of backlines; never mind
the topline being exaggerated, the hype about how extensive
it was, and how damaging to the breed, certainly was ! But it
seems in recent generations we have played right into the hands
of those who shouted loudest, by letting the 'exageration' become
worse, and almost 'normal'.

We can no longer excuse this by reference to the way the dogs
are placed in show stance. I've had Germanic dogs [who never
looked as though they had flat backs like coffee tables, but] could certainly be Stood to look as though they had the 'curve' of back-to
-croup judges were expecting to see. But they were definitely not
'hinged'; and were soundly freemoving.

2 In David Hall's defense, however, his own Kennel
does not have a poor reputation for 'windy' dogs -
which makes me wonder how he missed this when judging
the bitch of someone else's breeding ?

The problem with her so apparently being in or near her
Season may have been a contributory factor. Certainly
the Best Dog found her very interesting; I am fairly sure
he has been studded out, so would be particularly keen
to get at what his handler was having 'a time of it' trying
to keep him away from, and being pursued may therefore
have unsettled her. Plus we know bitches can often act
completely out of their normal character when they 'come
in'. But remember this is a GSD, not a Pom or something !
GSDs are meant to be steady, self-contained, intelligent
working dogs (and bitches) - not flighty divas. At least not
if they are correct and breed-typical, which I assume we
want from a Crufts contender ?

3 Susie, yes, dogs do have to "qualify" for Crufts,
through their placings in other Shows during the
year prior. They do not have to have 'working'
qualifications / titles, unless entered in the Working
Dog or Bitch Class.

Since Susie asked:
The top five dogs from each breed are invited to Westminster

Dogs that go BOB at their national specialty are invited

Class dogs (dogs who are not champions) must have won at least one major (a major is worth three, four, or five points) to enter.

So, no, not just anybody can enter. There are requirements. I was very lucky to have qualified three animals last year.