WARNING: I feel a rant coming on!
I've been writing this post for years, but have never been able to publish it. I couldn't write for more than a minute or two without the post sounding like a Lewis Black routine. Maybe this year I can better articulate what's in my head.
Maybe . . .
Like millions of other people, I watch the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on TV every year. In 2016 I was on the edge of my seat rooting for Rumor, the German shepherd. (She was beaten out by the German shorthaired pointer.) Watching Rumor take best in show in 2017 was a big thrill. I'm surprised the entire world didn't here me cheering. And then last year
I was there in person. So yeah, Westminster is a big deal for me.
But as much as I love the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, I hate the day after. There are all kinds of non dog show people putting in their two cents worth. I want to tell them all to just S.T.F.U.
First of all, yes those dogs have balls. On the large, short haired dogs (think great Danes and mastiffs) they are quite noticeable.
We all see them, you don't need to point them out. And yes, the judge touched them. Because conformation dog shows were designed to judge how breeding stock conforms to the breed standard, dogs that can't breed are disqualified. So yes, the judge feels for the presence of both testicles. The dogs don't care. Most dogs are more bothered by having their mouth examined. So, get over it people,
they're testicles!
I'm a member of a couple German shepherd groups on Facebook, and there's always a plethora of asinine comments on there too, most from people who own "Shepards." (
I've mentioned this group before.) These people bought a $100 dog of Craigslist that kinda looks like a GSD so obviously they know everything.
One thing these "Shepard" people complain about is "slope-back dogs." First of all, it's called angulation. Read the breed standard and you'll discover that the GSD is supposed to be:
. . . well balanced, with harmonious development of the fore quarter and hindquarter. The dog is longer than tall, deep-bodied, and presents an outline of smooth curves rather than angles.
The breed standard specifically states that the withers (highest point of the back) are to be higher than and
sloping into a level -- not roaching or sagging -- back.
It's important to understand the history of the German shepherd. The dog was originally bred to tend sheep. (FYI:
tending refers to the dog being a living, moving barrier to move/keep livestock where the sheepherder wants the flock to be.) Says the breed standard:
A German shepherd dog is a trotting dog, and its structure has been developed to meet the requirements of its work. . . . The gait is outreaching, elastic, seemingly without effort, smooth and rhythmic, covering the maximum amount of ground with the minimum number of steps. At a walk it covers a great deal of ground, with long stride of both hind legs and forelegs. At a trot the dog covers still more ground with even longer stride, and moves powerfully but easily, with coordination and balance so that the gait appears to be the steady motion of a well-lubricated machine.
A well-built German shepherd should be able to trot alongside a flock of sheep all day. So you see, that "slope" is there for a reason -- the ability to trot properly. If you don't like it, get another breed!
Something these "Shepard" people don't understand is that the angle of slope is exaggerated when stacked (put in the show stance). The FB post to the right illustrates this point nicely.
- The top picture shows a dog in a traditional show stack BTW, most GSDs stand somewhat that way naturally. Stacking is just teaching them to put the left leg back and square up the right.
- The bottom picture is the same dog stacked the way every other dog in the AKC is shown. Pretty dramatic, isn't it?
Pine Hill German Shepherds has a well-written article about the German shepherd structure titled
Why Do They Walk Like That? I highly recommend you read it.
Finally, I'm tired of people assuming my dog has hip dysplasia. (He doesn't. I have
the test results to prove it.) Responsible breeders test for hip
dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and other genetic anomalies before adding a dog to their breeding program. Of course,
these breeders aren't selling their puppies for $100 on Craigslist. You get what you pay for.
Funny story:
I was walking Jedi in Petsmart, minding my own business. This woman came up to me and in a very condescending tone (thanks to my day job, I know condescension) asked how I was managing my dog's hip dysplasia. WHAT?! She went on to say that she noticed his back was sloped so she assumed he had hip dysplasia.
I nicely explained that he was a structurally correct, American show line GSD. I told her that his hips were OFAed and came back good.
Then I asked her how she was managing her diabetes. She was confused. I told her that I noticed she was grossly overweight, so I assumed she was diabetic. She called me a bitch and walked away in a huff.
OK, maybe it was a mean/funny story. Perhaps I could have handled that better. I need to perfect my "Bless your heart." (Northern friends: if a Southern woman smiles and says "Bless your heart" she's calling you an idiot.)
Anyway, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show starts tomorrow. I'll be watching. And
I WILL respond to asinine comments. If you're a "Shepard" person, it would be best to just S.T.F.U. You've been warned.-- K
