What was that black thing that stood by the sign that said Labrador Retriever. I thought it would need doggie cpr after its waddle around the ring.
westminister
MikeBoley
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Here's a thought people. Enter your dog in a conformation show. Ask the other exhibitors to give you an honest evaluation of the structural weaknesses of your "athlete" or the strengths. Then maybe when you see the latest greatest NFC with a HORRIBLE front assembly you wont breed your bitch to him as she is bad in the front and has a "Gay" tail like the grandsire you are line breeding on. Then 7 out of the 10 puppies will be able to work past the age 8.
Both ends of the Labrador world are out of whack.
Both ends of the Labrador world are out of whack.
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Yes. Mine is 65 lbs, her dam was the number one Lab in the Nation in '06 and three of her litter mates are CH's.
She's a retired cadaver dog, one leg left on her SH (it takes me awhile to compete because her real job was a cadaver dog) and her daughter is 60lbs. Her son (sired by a Ch/MH) is also one leg a way from his SH as well, and I hope to compete in MH as time allows because he is my current cadaver dog.
Daughter's sire is a CH/MH, QAA. She will be working towards her HRD certification this year, finishing her JH and starting her SH, as time allows. Her litter mate made the cut in her class at the Potomac show in 2013.
There are still some of us out there that appreciate a good looking dog that can do the work. But I seriously doubt that there will ever be another Dual CH in my lifetime because of how specialized each arena is.
I, for one, are in awe of those that try to compete in both arenas, trying to get Ch, MH and I know there are some that are running in FTs to QAA. It's not only the time, but the incredible amount of cash it takes.
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Been there, done that. Back in the early-'80s my wife and I were very active in showing dogs. Here is my Lab "Rima" in 1981, line-bred on Brian (CH. Lockerbie Brian Boru), handled by my wife --
-- "Rima" was by no means spectacular. She was long in the back, etc., but she was typical of the "substance" of the day. You can see similar by looking at Helen Warwick's book, and look at her Sandyland's dogs like Tarquin.
I don't think the issue here is soundness. I can't remember the last time I saw an unsound field-bred or show-bred Lab. The issue her is "type".
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Yes, I just bred to a MH from heavy CH/MH lineage who is only ~75#. The owner so far has not put him in the show ring though his sire (who she also owned) was a CH/MH. I really don't blame her.
Bandit (a CH/MH from the 90's and sire to 2 of my 58-60# girls in working condition) was only 68-72# in good working condition though they'd fatten him up to 80# or so for specialties according to my notes.
But we are talking old lines here, before they got those deep bodies and heavier bone. Bandit died a few years ago at 15.5. I bred to him when he was 12 and 13 yrs old and he was still fertile... says a bit about longevity and health I think.
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Even if folks could get out to a Conformation Certificate (CC), it'd be interesting. Last fall in the LRC newsletter, it was really neat to see some of the FC's that not only showed up to a CC (on site) but passed. I just sent a litter of pups out sired by a QAA from a very nice field pedigree, and have to tell you, it was a very nice litter structurally and VERY birdy!!!!
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Kevin, Your NOT included - you know the difference. Right Type.
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I don't even own a lab and this offends me
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Drake not sure how much you no about dog antomy because the lattest NFC is a bitch, so no one can breed thier bitch to her.
Congrats Dottie
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Don't worry I know a dick when I see one !
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LMAO just choked!
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Good Lord! They look like nice stuffed teddy bears! Thirty minutes of early dove season would KILL any of those big felllas. I frequently run ten or twelve 75yd + retrieves in just a few minutes when just PLAYING with my knucklehead. I'll bet none of those dogs could do two without taking a break. It's really sad. For me, it isn't an esthetics question, but more a health of the animal question. Allowing a dog to carry that much extra weight is tantamount to animal abuse. Really a shame.
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You are right, winning halter horses can't be ridden. They'd go lame. Stick legs and no feet on huge bodies. Not to mention if you did ride one their movement would be so bad it would be like riding a jack hammer. They have instituted a performance halter class. Only horses who have a certain amount of points in a riding class can be ridden. It is really ridiculous because halter is supposed to be about conformation, and conformation at its heart should lend itself to usability. This started decades ago when judges started pinning "halter type" horses, and a subset of the breed was born. In fairness a pleasure bred quarter horse wouldn't do very well in the cutting pen and visa versa, but again I have a problem when a conformation class is pinning an animal that can't even be ridden. Seems the labs have gone the same way.
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That dog is on my short list for my girl! His brother is a Ch/MH as well.
I'd be interested in seeing how those pups turn out.
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Very telling information but...
You really think 1/3 of the dogs in arguably the most prestigious conformation show in the world having a JH title is "working hard to keep form and function a priority"?
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John, I have had to put weight on Kona this winter to take him into AKC ring. When we trained with you, he weighed in around 68-70. Picture below was taken with him at 80 pounds. Heaviest he has ever been in his life. He still looked smaller than most when in ring but he didn't stick out like a sore thumb as much as he did when in fighting weight. Do I think he can still run MH tests at this weight? Yes. Will he? No, once we get just a single point that weight is coming off. While he isn't fat by any means, I want him to be able to do what he loves for a long time without putting undo stress on his body.
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But THAT is the whole point ..... why should you have to add weight, when your dog has the structure for the ring and can prove that the field work can be done?? The fact that judges are putting up dog's soooooo far off the standard is ridiculous! Love to watch Westminster, love to watch the sporting group, hate to see the annual representation of what is considered BOB for labs ...........
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He is very handsome in that photo, but does look a little soft compared to most of the field dogs I have seen. My first lab's weight used to fluctuated about 5 or 6 pounds from hunting season to off season. That just looks like off season. Do you have a nice photo of him at running weight? That tub at Westminster would make two of him. There is just no comparison.
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Not the best but here you go. I do want to point out something though. There is a difference between in coat and out of coat in dog's with conformation lines behind them,. Not that I am defending excess weight but being in coat can deceive the eyes. The first pic is at 70 pounds after winter coat blow at the beginning of spring 2012 training. 2nd picture is same weight , spring training 2013 but coat had not blown yet. Also my dog does come from much more moderate lines. His bitch line is actually a blend of the Brigg's line with some older American and English FT lines. His pedigree is like comparing apples to oranges when it comes to other successful show dogs in the ring today.This just happens to be the type I prefer and what works best for me and my goals with my dogs.At least we can all agree that Labs rock!
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