Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment [quote author=JulieT link=topic=4651.msg57696#msg57696 date=1393604322] Maybe we need a new competition... Added: bought my tickets for Crufts (Sunday 9th March - super confusing website, I hope I've got the right ones for the labradors). I had to use all my brownie points up, as OH is coming too. Can't go see a field trial though... [/quote] I think you can if you volunteer to help. I might try to help out at working tests if I can this year and maybe from there a field trial......will investigate and report back!
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment [quote author=Oberon link=topic=4651.msg57701#msg57701 date=1393608916] How exciting. Full report and photos, Julie!!! [/quote] Yes please, very full report. And photos of the Labrador you believe should have won... Clare
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment Yup, for sure. I think it might be on the telly too (if so, I'll wave). I've got tickets for all day on Sunday, but only seating for best in show, and maybe gun dogs too as it says "including Sunday Group judging" (it's very confusing, and there were no seating plans, or choice of different priced tickets, so might be by the dustbins and unable to see anything!).
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment Don't forget to go and watch the Game Keepers Classes, Julie. Di Stevens is one of the judges, I believe. The dogs in these classes are all working on shoots, whatever their breeding might be.
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment [quote author=editor link=topic=4651.msg57684#msg57684 date=1393600184] I haven't taken any for ages, but my daughter took this the other day [/quote] missed this earlier! Ah, she is lovely. She does look a bit like Tom!
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment [quote author=heidrun link=topic=4651.msg57720#msg57720 date=1393615092] Don't forget to go and watch the Game Keepers Classes, Julie. Di Stevens is one of the judges, I believe. The dogs in these classes are all working on shoots, whatever their breeding might be. [/quote] I'm pretty unimpressed by the information available about the programme. "What's on" for day 4 is here: http://www.crufts.org.uk/whats-on/day4 I can't see where the game keepers' class may be...I wonder if it's "working" on day one? I fear I'll end up watching Neapolitan Mastiffs at this rate! But maybe it'll be clearer on the day.
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment Not great detail I enjoy phillipa Williams displays if that's any help
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment [quote author=JulieT link=topic=4651.msg57734#msg57734 date=1393618995] [quote author=heidrun link=topic=4651.msg57720#msg57720 date=1393615092] Don't forget to go and watch the Game Keepers Classes, Julie. Di Stevens is one of the judges, I believe. The dogs in these classes are all working on shoots, whatever their breeding might be. [/quote] I'm pretty unimpressed by the information available about the programme. "What's on" for day 4 is here: http://www.crufts.org.uk/whats-on/day4 I can't see where the game keepers' class may be...I wonder if it's "working" on day one? I fear I'll end up watching Neapolitan Mastiffs at this rate! But maybe it'll be clearer on the day. [/quote] No, I think you will be ok. Gundog day is on the Sunday.
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment I'm curious about what it is that show bred Labradors can't do in field trials. In which areas do they fall short? Lochan, would you go so far as to look at importing a dog?
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment [quote author=heidrun link=topic=4651.msg57737#msg57737 date=1393621193] No, I think you will be ok. Gundog day is on the Sunday. [/quote] Phew! Ok. So, the two people (going back to the start of the thread) who allegedly – according to Slimdoggy - may be responsible for obesity in pet Labradors (I seriously have my doubts whether they are more influential than the 18,413 vets in the UK, but still) at Crufts in 2014, as far as the rubbish information on the Crufts site will allow me to tell, are: Mr A Ellis judging Labrador Retrievers Dogs Mrs A M Britton judging Labrador Retrievers Bitches I think the dogs of Mr Ellis can be seen here: http://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeder/27016 And Mrs Britton’s here: http://www.bowstoneslabradors.co.uk/champions.htm So, will be very interesting to see how we think they do on the day. I’ll return with a photographic record! (Trying to figure out whether I can get to speak to any breeders or judges - not sure - but I'll try).
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment Their dogs look very nice to me so it will indeed be fascinating to see what they pick!!
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment [quote author=Oberon link=topic=4651.msg57741#msg57741 date=1393622127] Their dogs look very nice to me so it will indeed be fascinating to see what they pick!! [/quote] I thought so too...
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment I think it's not so much the what but the how. They can retrieve perfectly well but trials dogs are fast, really fast and stylish! They are great hunters, with good noses....work well at a distance and under their own direction yet are responsive to any direction from their handler. Someone posted a video of a lab tracking down and retrieving a runner which also tried to escape whilst being carried back but I can't remember where. It was an epic retrieve needing persistence, hunting ability, confidence and obedience whilst still having a soft enough mouth to deliver an unharmed bird! All in all quite impressive and way beyond anything I've seen in a lesson or on the couple of shoots I've been on And that's just the impression I get as a complete beginner
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment [quote author=Stacia link=topic=4651.msg57746#msg57746 date=1393622415] I thought the dogs looked far to heavy. [/quote] Do you mean you think they are heavy as in overweight, or heavily built (suitable for smashing through ice in Newfoundland waters ) heavy?
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment I thought some of the dogs weren't quite in proportion big, deep bodies and short legs. Some looked more in proportion (to my eyes )
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4651.msg57744#msg57744 date=1393622317] but trials dogs are fast, really fast [/quote] Are all field trials against the clock? Sorry, I just don't know how it works. [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4651.msg57744#msg57744 date=1393622317] Someone posted a video of a lab tracking down and retrieving a runner which also tried to escape whilst being carried back but I can't remember where. [/quote] It was here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5wu3VCKrpM&feature=youtu.be But I can't see what the build of the dog has to do with it still. Ability, yes...and so that ability is genetically obtained, at least in the main?
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4651.msg57749#msg57749 date=1393622650] I thought some of the dogs weren't quite in proportion big, deep bodies and short legs. Some looked more in proportion (to my eyes ) [/quote] Yes, I like longer legs too.
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment As far as leg length goes....the distance between the shoulder and the bottom of the chest should be the same distance as between the bottom of the chest and the ground. So the height of the dog should be half leg, half body. Couple of other proportion things: The length of the head should be half 'skull' and half muzzle (so the stop should be in the middle, looking down the length of the head). The ear should be able to touch the inner corner of the eye. I read that stuff in an old book, pretty sure it was by Mary Roslin-Williams, who was a big promotor of true dual purpose dogs (show and field trials).
Re: Slimdoggy - the next instalment Bear in mind I haven't done any trialling but my understanding is they're not timed but the faster you get your birds the better. I guess it comes back to the desire for a quick despatch if necessary. I think Heidrun mentioned a slight difference in the length of dock for a spaniel that might be trialled in order to show off the tail action, style is important to make your dog stand out against the others and speed helps you stand out too. There's nothing that says a heavier show dog couldn't track down a runner but just as in the extremes show dogs have been bred for physical type with little or no interest in working ability and conversely working strains have been bred for working ability (which is to some degree passed down) with little regard for 'type' other than where it would enhance working ability such as getting a build suited to high speed retrieving Both sides of the coin are looking for the extreme.....my trainer will measure her dogs against what she knows the trialling standards to be and as soon as they fall short she will consider selling them on. She had one bitch and she had some questions about her ability to really punch through boundaries and cover. When you see some dogs baulking at crossing in and out of woods for retrieves or across paths, each a boundary in the dogs mind, you appreciate how rare having all the required abilities in a single dog are and then you have the human and training influence to consider. I couldn't train a field trial dog no matter how good it's potential is and that may well be true of most if not all show breeders.
