Evaluations Please

[ajford]

Hi all,

I am just getting into the show thing here and know I have a lot to learn. I am trying to evaluate different pictures I find for faults. I am also trying to learn how to stack a dog. I had to laugh when I read the previous post, because I was getting ready to ask all the same questions.

Anyway, is a recent photo of my show prospect puppy. They were taken at ~5 1/2 months. I would like some honest feedback on her and her stack. From what I can see, her front legs need to go back a little so that they are coming straight from the shoulder. Do her back legs need to go back further? What about her head, should it be raised or lowered? Again, any suggestions or thoughts are appreciated.

Amber

[JulieM]

OK, now keep in mind that, while I read a lot, I've never shown my own dogs (we use a handler) But, I'll give it a shot!

The back legs look pretty good, a plumb line from the point of the buttocks should fall just at the tips of the toes, and it looks like this is the case (I'm at work or I'd open up my photo editor and really have fun )

The front legs either need to come under her more, or she's "posting" (leaning backward) and you need get her to lean forward a bit. I'm inclined to say she's posting due to the lead (more on that in a second), and would say a bit of bait in front of her nose (or a toy thrown out in front of her, as they do for show photos) will bring her forward and convey a sense of energy or anticipation. Another trick is to pull backward slightly on her tail, which will cause her to pull *against* you, forward.

The head could be a bit more vertical, IMO, but that may be an optical illusion. The lead is being held back at an angle - see how it creates a line in the neck? Holding it straight up right behind the ears will give a much cleaner look to the head, and won't break up that nice elegant neck.

Also, I can't tell from the pic, but it looks like her non-show-side flew is hanging a bit (or her show-side flew is caught up in her mouth). Just something to be aware of as it does detract from the smooth outline. (It may be the shirt sleeve of the handler, though, in which case nevermind )

Again, I recommend DogRead at yahoogroups, Show Me: A Dog Showing Primer is the book this month and I think it will be invaluable! (And actually, a few of the things I've commented on here were learned from last month's discussion on How To Photograph Dogs).

[Kysha]

I have two "show" dogs. My female (fawn) is a Canadian champion (100% owner handeled) and my male (dark brindle) is pointed (he had to quite andbe nuetered due to a health problem).

The best thing that I did was take them to handeling classes. This is where I learned how to stack my dogs and it also got the dogs used to the sights, sounds and smells. We then did a few sanction matches before we entered them into a 'real' show.

I was lucky with Tegan becuase she finnished in just a few weekends of showing!

I took a look at the picture and the front legs should come back a bit and/or she needs to be baited forward more, you want her laening forward over her fron feet. Her back legs look great from this angle, howver you want to make sure that all her feet are pointing forward (not turned in or out too much). I think you need to show off her neck a little better - perhaps if you put the show lead right under her jaw bone (behind her ears) and pull straight up rather than back.

I found it helpful to read books and study pictures of stacked boxers and just try to copy them.

Remember to have fun with her and make it a game. The judges are often looking for/at personality too!

Hope that helps.

[ajford]

Thanks so much for the reply. I have hired a handler to get her started. I just want to be able to hand her over to him with the best start possible. I thought it would be easier to handle than it has turned out to be. At first, I thought I would just do all my own handling and now I know that it isn't fair for me to hold her back. I will continue to go to classes to learn what I can and if I can do her justice, then maybe I will take over, but at this point I know I made the right decision.

I'm really just looking for things I need to look for and what I could be doing better.

Thanks,

Amber

[Saywinboxers]

Amber-- One more good tip, get yourself a full size mirror like the kind that hangs on doors, and balance it against a tree, you can use that to judge yourself. If your going to use a handler its more important to just do as your doing and get her use to the stacking and baiting, more than anything, Good Luck and enjoy Cindy