Dog Community

Dog Show Question

Posted : 7/9/2006 6:29:07 AM

Hey all...

I was watch the Euk. Tournament of Champions last night and one of the dogs got me thinking... It was Buzz, apparently the No. 1 labrador in the country right now...

First, I was wondering if anyone else thought this dog was obese? He looks rather on the rotund (sp?) to me.

My real question is, though, how can a dog that is obese be properly judge and compaired to the breed standard? Also, why isn't obesity a fault of some kind (at least it doesn't seem to be)? I mean, I don't see that dog running all day and retrieving... he's just looks so outta shape [&:].

Maybe someone can enlighten me or comment?

Tanya Stringer

Posted : 7/9/2006 6:37:49 AM

I don't know about Labs...but i can tell you that is common practise to show you pug about 10+ lbs over the standard of 14-18lbs. I have had many many pug owners ask me why their pug doesn't look like the ones on tv.. that is why. The reason... because it makes the Pug look more stocky and cobby. Is it good for the dog or bitch.. in my opinion no... Judges don't seem to care if the dog is heavy, even though it is not standard.. that i can't explain.

Courtney Williams

Posted : 7/9/2006 9:10:20 AM

Show Labs tend to be shorter and stockier than the average pet Lab or a field-bred Lab. If you go to a dog show and see them, 95% look like they are overweight.
The show labs have a different overall look to them than the typical Lab down-the-street. Show labs have blockier heads and are smaller.
Personally, I think the show labs need to get new field blood in there. They are getting to be too "out of shape." I can't imagine seeing very many show Labs hunting all day anymore.

pumaward

Posted : 7/9/2006 9:12:38 AM

Thanks, AlwaysPugged. You'll see a lot of Mals that look quite a bit bigger than the standard calls for as well.

I understand they are stockier... but he had (IMO) hardly any noticeable under-tuck.

I agree though, I do think most the breeds shown in conformation need some working blood in them (if they don't already).

sillysally

Posted : 7/9/2006 9:26:25 AM

Does anyone know of a place that I can see a pic of him?

pumaward

Posted : 7/9/2006 12:24:37 PM

I believe this is him, if not, this dog looks about as overweight. I don't know if they truely are... they just look it to me.
[linkhttp://www.oseaylabradors.com/Girls_Guys/Buzz.htm]http://www.oseaylabradors.com/Girls_Guys/Buzz.htm[/link]

micksmom

Posted : 7/10/2006 1:31:26 PM

Yes, Buzz has looked a little overweight on every show I've seen him in. On the other hand, he doesn't look nearly as heavy as other Labs I've seen at shows. It's not just that the show lines are stickier than the field lines- I've seen rolls of fat on Labs in the show ring.

I guess people have just gotten so used to seeing overweight Labs that's it's accepted as normal, even in the show ring.

Here's Aquarius Labrador's website. There are pictures of Buzz right on the opening page

[linkhttp://www.aquariuslabradors.com/buzz.htm]http://www.aquariuslabradors.com/buzz.htm[/link]

Julitza

Posted : 7/10/2006 1:40:04 PM

Hmm, and yet some people still swear going by 100% by the standard. The AKC has gotten to be a beauty contest. Alot of the dogs competing are good examples of the physical standard but who wants a dog that looks pretty but cant do what its been bred for? A BC for example doent need all that fluff to work sheep, if you look at a working BC it doesnt have so much coat. I think show dogs should look good AND be able to do what they were bred for

Justine Freeman

Posted : 7/10/2006 1:59:51 PM

Marley is 70 Ibs. and I was told he was too skinny to show for conformation (although he is within the weight standard and I always get compliments on how beautiful he is)! He does come from show lines, but the sire of his litter has all of his hunting titles as well as his conformation CH. So, not all show dogs do not do what they are bred to do. I believe that the owners of the sire of Marley's litter actually use him as a hunting dog!