[pushokalex1]

Is anyone else watching?

We were watching the herding group last night, and I noticed the Belgian Sheepdog was from Dahlonega, Georgia. I think I've met the breeder before in a local chocolate shop.

I had to roll my eyes at the announcers last night when it came to the Beauceron though.

Announcer #1: "Look at its back legs. What are those?"
Announcer #2: "They look like....dew claws.....yes, I believe they are dew claws. Odd because most breeders remove those when the dogs are puppies. Hmm."
Announcer #1: "Hmm - interesting."
Announcer #2: "Yes, dew claws. Hmm."

WTH? Breed standard (and a big breed characteristic!) states "no less than two well-formed dew claws on each rear leg. Anything less is a disqualification." So really, announcers who have been doing this for twenty years, it's not really that "interesting."

Terrier group is tonight. I was impressed that SEVERAL of the dogs shown last night were also working dogs. (Yes, they made mention of that) from Therapy Dogs to Gaggle guardians (geese) to cattle herding dogs to the Tervuren whose job it is to scare deer off the local airport's runway to dogs that are security dogs....and even more mention of the dogs that are "housedogs" including the Bearded Collie. The owner/handler said, "Yeah, Mr. Baggins is our housepet. He's awesome wherever he is: in the house, playing with the kids, lounging on the couch..."

[occurrini]

I watch it EVERY year! I like it for what it is. I cut out before the herding group. The Terv, I believe is from the Dalles,OR and I've met her dogs and her before!

I did notice that while a LOT of the dogs were still overweight.....not all of them were like last year.....it was a nice change of pace.

[pushokalex1]

I think the owner of the Terv is up your way, and the breeder is in Dahlonega. I already sent them an e-mail this morning congratulating them on the Best of Breed win.

I knew the GSD wasn't going to place well (do they ever besides Dallas?) but I was glad that the GSD looked a little more German Shepherd-y and not so feminine (and Roman nosed) as usual.

I noticed there were a lot more SPUNKY dogs this year, too - lol. And I loved watching the Border Collie slink around the ring as if to be saying, "Who can I herd? Who can I herd? Where are my sheep? Who can I herd?"

[PemiaGefe]

The Cane Corso that won is fat the Amstaff is alright but she looks like has no muscle maybe its just the picture. The Bull terriers look extremely obesse...

[Ceriopal]

They said skipperke had no tails naturally. I hate how in order for any dog to succeed in confirmation to have its ears cut and tails hacked off. I know not all breeds do this but even my APBT have their ears flopped. I like the little rosy ears. Now sure they look more serious cropped I don't see how someone requires it to fit a standard. I feel bad for some of those poor dogs in the show ring. And the announcers definitely were spouting off some really inaccurate info. Like the bulldog, was named after bull baiting. Pleaaase they are so brachocyphalic it would suffocate. Now quit lying and put him into the non-sporting group. Also too, why do they say oh this breed was used for da da da, most of the dogs in confirmation do not perform their function anyway. Let me see them title in performance. And did anybody see the AKC commercial "the only registry in America that matters." lol No thank you. I do not believe in puppy mills (I go to any pet store that sells dogs and you can see the pups in the cages "AKC registered") Or demanding we cut and snip our dogs to make them what their idea is of perfect. Oh well, I think it is a matter of simply not associating with AKC, then again I don't breed Am staffs. So it's pretty easy.

[WenPyclenoWex]

AKC dogs do not have to have ears clipped, nor tails docked. Many established dogs do, of course, but the European ban of tail docking and ear clipping will eventually show that a Dobermann is still a Dobermann, reguardless of a long tail and floppy ears.
The announcers will state what the original purpose of a breed was, but that does not mean the dog actually performs the same function today. Take the Standard Poodle, for example, when did you last see a hunter toting a gun with his trusty Poodle in tow? Not anytime recently, I can assure you of that. But Poodles are used in dog sports such as Agility, Obedience, Rally-O, etc. so they still are built like, and sometimes used as, working dogs.

[KaterinaNJq]

Hilarious. In my head I'm hearing that in the voices of the announcers from the mocumentary "Best In Show". Esp. "Yes, Dew Claws. Hmm."

Is anyone else watching?

We were watching the herding group last night, and I noticed the Belgian Sheepdog was from Dahlonega, Georgia. I think I've met the breeder before in a local chocolate shop.

I had to roll my eyes at the announcers last night when it came to the Beauceron though.

Announcer #1: "Look at its back legs. What are those?"
Announcer #2: "They look like....dew claws.....yes, I believe they are dew claws. Odd because most breeders remove those when the dogs are puppies. Hmm."
Announcer #1: "Hmm - interesting."
Announcer #2: "Yes, dew claws. Hmm."

WTH? Breed standard (and a big breed characteristic!) states "no less than two well-formed dew claws on each rear leg. Anything less is a disqualification." So really, announcers who have been doing this for twenty years, it's not really that "interesting."

Terrier group is tonight. I was impressed that SEVERAL of the dogs shown last night were also working dogs. (Yes, they made mention of that) from Therapy Dogs to Gaggle guardians (geese) to cattle herding dogs to the Tervuren whose job it is to scare deer off the local airport's runway to dogs that are security dogs....and even more mention of the dogs that are "housedogs" including the Bearded Collie. The owner/handler said, "Yeah, Mr. Baggins is our housepet. He's awesome wherever he is: in the house, playing with the kids, lounging on the couch..."

[HQTheodore]

I was busy last night when the first half was on, I recorded it and am currently watching it. I forgot how much I like the hound group.

[etdgxcnc]

Harley is pretty into the show right now... laying on my bed watching all the dogs quite intently.

[ordercigsnick]

I didn't watch it, but a friend of mine was handling her whippet bitch Vanna, I think. Not sure if she placed in anything, I stopped checking facebook for updates lol

[pushokalex1]

You're right, 4PawsK9Svcs. There are actually several websites out there with "natural dogs" who have Championed in AKC shows.

As for Westminster last night, I thought there were some pretty obese dogs on there, and some dogs that could use some defining (AmStaff, Weimaraner, etc.) I couldn't believe the Labrador Retriever that waddled around the ring. Okay I know English Labrador versus Field Labrador, but that Labbie was just blubber

I'm glad the Deerhound won. I loved watching her gaily trot around - so airy and graceful. I thought, for sure, that the Cocker Spaniel would win. I just had a feeling it would, and it didn't.

As for the Pekignese, they make me laugh. I don't know why: maybe it's because they look like little brown art erasers with hair or how slow the handlers walk, but it cracks me up.

I was also not pleased with the way some of the handlers were showing their dogs. I'm no expert, but some of them hindered their dogs more than helped.

---------- Post added at 08:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:45 AM ----------

Take the Standard Poodle, for example, when did you last see a hunter toting a gun with his trusty Poodle in tow? Not anytime recently, I can assure you of that.

I beg to differ. Apparently you have never heard of the red poodles?
Louter Creek Red Hunting Poodles

That kennel is pretty well-known for their hunting poodles, and there are a few other kennels out there, too This one just happens to be located near us. ("Google" Hunting Poodles for more.)

There are also some (not-so) good ole boys here in Georgia that have a poodle or two they hunt with. They came from different parts of the country or other countries and relocated here.

[Sowsunese]

I actually thought the Bearded Collie would win for some reason but I was pulling for that Deerhound. So glad she won

[Poll Pitt]

I agree that some of the handlers were off. Some of the terrier handlers were walking with the front of the dog OFF the ground. The terrier Monk was too cute

[Intiltern]

That makes me scared to even show dogs. If the judges are picking dogs that do not meet breed standards (Saying a less muscular Bull dog) and get oogled over a shepherd having dew claws... It makes me wonder where dog shows are going to.

[pushokalex1]

and get oogled over a shepherd having dew claws... It makes me wonder where dog shows are going to.

A Beauceron, while in the herding group, is not classified as a Shepherd. They (not the judges - the announcers) were confused over why the Beauceron had dewclaws intact on its rear legs (aka they didn't know it's a breed trait and part of the standard.) They didn't exactly take into consideration that the majority of dogs breeds only have dewclaws on the front legs as well (or the fact that Beaucerons have multiple dewclaws.)

[occurrini]

Also, the Beauceron is not something that is seen everyday nor in every show. Not excusing them but they really only know the common breeds.

I'm glad the Deerhound won...I believe they've never taken Westminster. I do believe that the Beardie was of equal quality and was also deserving to win!

[pushokalex1]

Also, the Beauceron is not something that is seen everyday nor in every show. Not excusing them but they really only know the common breeds.

They knew some information about some of the more rare breeds (Cane Corso, for the AKC.) You'd think they wouldn't miss a little important detail about a dog breed, but eh - they're human. I just thought it was funny how utterly confused the announcers were.

Every time the Norwich Terrier came up, I checked to make sure the handler didn't have two left feet.

[occurrini]

lol I hear on that poor Norwich!!! lol

I know about the announcers and I laughed my ass off about it.

[Xxmlqevq]

I was also not pleased with the way some of the handlers were showing their dogs. I'm no expert, but some of them hindered their dogs more than helped.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed that! I appreciate a dog that shows exuberance, personality and energy... BUT, I saw several dogs break their gait for a trot or canter. Junior handlers get chewed out for doing that, and seeing it in such a caliber of a dog show was not something I expected! Many dogs also jumped around or didn't free stack at all.

[BqTyG9eS]

I love Deerhounds. I was so glad she won.

And I cosign that that lab was so fat!