Westminster

I get so frustrated. . .I don't understand how the chow could not place.  It was gorgeous.  It seems like in the non sporting it's ALWAYS the Poodle/French Bulldog that win.  But, I know I'm biased.

I hear you.  In the terriers, it is NEVER the Am Staff.  You always hear the canned "These are great dogs, but not for everyone" yadda yadda and then they move on. Then one of the smaller terriers takes the group.  I like the other terriers, but give the Am Staffs a break!

I LOVED The Lakeland and the Scottie. Yay for the Schnauzer getting group 4th (sorry - bias LOL).

 My other faves overall were the Wolfhound (was hoping it would get first), the Chow, the Dal, and the Sealyham. I fell asleep RIGHT before the Herding group winners. Boo.

The conflict of interest is known ahead of time.  It is about the acknowledgment even if you can not stay in the breed.  Both handlers were previously in Peter Green's operation and are starting to take over his rep as THE terrier handlers. 

I thought the Harrier was incredible.

All the dogs were stacked; it is just the other dogs "free stacked"  which means them moved into the four square pose independently (which takes hours and hours of practice).  The presentation of the GSD's is really not a natural pose (as the free stack) so it is expected they are hand stacked.  You will see that in many other breeds as well, but most of the dog breeds are presented four square.

 PS  Nora's "breeder"  Lisa Knock had Cody (TriSorts Code of the Road) the malinois.  Yeah Cuz.

cakana

Liesje - While watching the herding group, it seemed that the only dog that they had stack was the German Shepherd. Was that just my imagination?

Personally, I thought that particular GSD was a bit twitchy and nervous looking.  Didn't really care for her at all. However I didn't pay much attention during the show to how she was shown and stacked.  If she didn't free stack, I don't think that was why she wasn't short listed.

GSDs can free stack just fine, and their stack is their natural pose (mine stand one foot in front of the other when free standing) otherwise they would be stacked square like the other dogs.  The best stacked photos I have of my dogs are when they were free stacking.  Genreally they do it when alerting to something (like looking out a window, watching a squirrel....).  But the specialty Am Line GSDs are sooooo stretched and angulated, I don't think much about them is "natural" anymore.  It looks like they would tip over with the wave of a feather.  IMO if the dog cannot free stack without falling over then there is something wrong with the conformation.  But, don't get me started on that!

mrv

The conflict of interest is known ahead of time.  It is about the acknowledgment even if you can not stay in the breed.  Both handlers were previously in Peter Green's operation and are starting to take over his rep as THE terrier handlers. 

Thanks for the info.  In Field events that I have been involved in as Club Secretary, conflict of interest is viewed in a much different light and I was thinking along those lines. 

I fell asleep. Who won the herding group?

A Puli, an adorable one.  I don't generally care for the breed, hair is too weird, but this was one happy dog and he was asking for the win.

Laurelin_429

Is it just the pictures of the BOb/BOS winners or are the GSDs not being stacked so extreme?

It's not just the pictures.  The winners are more moderate dogs.  Still not to my liking, but more moderate, yes.  Lots of them backed out.  Jimmy Moses was a no-show.

 the Puli (sp?) I believe

Liesje

Personally, I thought that particular GSD was a bit twitchy and nervous looking. 

MANY dogs are nervous at the Garden in a way they are not, elsewhere. The cameras, the lights, the nerves of their handler due to both.

I really would not judge overall temperament at that show. It is a super grueling two day event that could really take a toll on even an even keeled dog. Many dogs on the bench really look relaxed but they are sometimes just "shut down" because of all the constant UP time there.

It's crazy...it truly is. I cannot even imagine...

BTW my 13" boy, meaning I bred him...he is owned and shown by other nice folks...didn't do anything but I think he looked great. He's the first dog on the table in the 13" video.

mrv

All the dogs were stacked; it is just the other dogs "free stacked"  which means them moved into the four square pose independently (which takes hours and hours of practice).  The presentation of the GSD's is really not a natural pose (as the free stack) so it is expected they are hand stacked.  You will see that in many other breeds as well, but most of the dog breeds are presented four square.

In case it's not obvious, I know nothing about stacking. I thought that when they took the GSD's rear legs and put one in front of the other, that was what is called "stacking". Now I understand what you mean and it makes sense.

I looked to record the 2nd part of the show tonight but couldn't find it. I'm not sure if my cable companies lineup just isn't updated or what, but I'll be really upset if I don't see the last 1/2 of the show.

I LOVED the greyhound, he was perfect, didn't seem to require much at all from his handler was just sort of cool with everything it seemed. I know nothing about showing dogs but when I saw a dog get it's muzzle pinched for the tenth time to get it to 'wake up' I guess I changed the channel.

'

cakana

mrv

All the dogs were stacked; it is just the other dogs "free stacked"  which means them moved into the four square pose independently (which takes hours and hours of practice).  The presentation of the GSD's is really not a natural pose (as the free stack) so it is expected they are hand stacked.  You will see that in many other breeds as well, but most of the dog breeds are presented four square.

In case it's not obvious, I know nothing about stacking. I thought that when they took the GSD's rear legs and put one in front of the other, that was what is called "stacking". Now I understand what you mean and it makes sense.

It is being stacked but it's being "placed", "set up", hand stacked", etc.  When the dog steps into position on his own (or with the handler luring with a treat or body cues), that's the "free stack".  The stack is the position of standing square (and with GSDs the leg away from the judge is tucked), but there's different ways to achieve it.

In a Sieger type show you would see a handler placing the dog and staying behind the dog or holding the lead up and stepping out of view (where as in AKC ring usually the handler moves in front to get the dog's expression right, keep the head up, and keep the dog looking forward and not turning to the side to the handler).  In the Sieger show, the dog's owner would be standing outside the right directly in front of the dog, calling the dog to get the head up and the ears erect.