Re: Crufts gundog day Oh is this the Japanese girl ? I saw her on the gundog demo team , very entertaining indeed
Re: Crufts gundog day [quote author=zanacal link=topic=10100.msg147839#msg147839 date=1425668245] Ahhh, second on the left is my puppy's grandad (Pippa's Rachael's dad!). [/quote] He and his handler were also in the awards.
Re: Crufts gundog day Well, I'll inhabit the minority - I prefer a moderate show bred dog (but definitely not the Loch Mor Romeo type which is far too wide and heavy and, to my taste, actually kinda ugly). Just a matter of taste, what you're used to and how you interpret the Standards....
Re: Crufts gundog day [quote author=Oberon link=topic=10100.msg147851#msg147851 date=1425671254] Well, I'll inhabit the minority - I prefer a moderate show bred dog (but definitely not the Loch Mor Romeo type which is far too wide and heavy and, to my taste, actually kinda ugly). Just a matter of taste, what you're used to and how you interpret the Standards.... [/quote] Phew. Was staying out of it...but will stick my head over the parapet in support.
Re: Crufts gundog day [quote author=heidrun link=topic=10100.msg147793#msg147793 date=1425643811] Another shot of the winner. [/quote] My kind of dog!!
Re: Crufts gundog day I am in love with Adrian Slater's George, the black dog he used in his gundog demo, he is stunning Chloe
Re: Crufts gundog day They all look a bit hunky chunky to me Philippa Williams dogs were all gorgeous, that's what I like to see a Labrador look like x
Re: Crufts gundog day I like these working dogs because I think they really do look like labs. I also prefer a moderate show dog to the extremes of whippety working dogs which are no nicer that the extremes of show labs in my opinion of course Fit for function is key
Re: Crufts gundog day [quote author=bbrown link=topic=10100.msg147886#msg147886 date=1425676587] I like these working dogs because I think they really do look like labs. Fit for function is key [/quote] Well said!
Re: Crufts gundog day Does anyone have any commentary at all on the conformation of these dogs? It can't be just that they have the label "working dog" so you think they look great.... or can it? ;D ;D ;D
Re: Crufts gundog day [quote author=JulieT link=topic=10100.msg147897#msg147897 date=1425677975] Does anyone have any commentary at all on the conformation of these dogs? It can't be just that they have the label "working dog" so you think they look great.... or can it? ;D ;D ;D [/quote] Not sure what you mean by commentary? None of the classes, show ring or game keepers ring, have a running commentary on conformation. It is purely up to the judge what he or she favours. Like I said these photos were from the BASC game keepers ring. The judge was a A panel field trial judge who also works and trials her own dogs.
Re: Crufts gundog day I suppose in some ways it's just what you're used to... I like dogs that look as though they can do a full day's work. So not dogs that are too heavily built to be able to do a lot of running and retrieving - but at the same time not dogs that are too skinny and highly wired, that are going to get freezing and miserable if they have to be out in the field all day in the cold and wet.
Re: Crufts gundog day I'm no conformation expert and I haven't studied the breed standard but it's definitely more than just tagging them "working dog" ......as if! I like the winner, it has what I would consider a labby head, not snipey or houndy, it looks rounded with a good stop and some breadth. There's good substance to the body, he looks powerful but not too leggy. Coat looks like a proper double coat (as far as i can tell from a photo) and he has a nice thick tail.
Re: Crufts gundog day I'd like to know where those of you more au fait with the breed standard think they fall short?
Re: Crufts gundog day I do like the winner and I think that is the best one there. It is not possible to tell what some are like though just from those photos as some can't be seen. Really need side and front shots of all. Overall I'd say they are too big (as in too tall and long, definitely not too wide). But the photo could be misleading - maybe those are really short people!!! The tails are a bit thin, and in a couple of cases not straight. The tails don't come right off the back - the backs slope/curve down over the rumps when they should be pretty straight. I'd also say the hindquarters don't look well developed. I'm not saying the dogs aren't super fit, but they don't look powerful behind in the hindquarters or thighs. They should have a well muscled second thigh and I don't see that in these pics (or in the winner). Some shoulders look a bit straight/upper arms too short. However, they are all obviously Labradors. Can't criticise the head of the winning dog either. They look like the old fashioned type of Labrador, before the extremes of 'working whippet' and 'show tank' took hold. I'd rather take any of these home than Loch Mor Romeo. But my personal preference would be for something in between.
Re: Crufts gundog day I don't like the way some of the handlers are twisting the dogs' Lips (the soft fleshing part of their mouths) to make them stand for the judges.
