So I know we recently discussed this in another thread but the ears on the boxer and the doberman seemed long to me. I know in the other thread we talked about it being owner preference the type of cut that is done do confirmation dogs have this option or is the type of cut determined by the standard?

ETA I just wanted to add that I know nothing about how these breeds ears are supposed to be done. It was more of my personal observation is all.

The Doberman standard says, regarding ears, "Normally cropped and carried erect." The crops on show dogs have gotten longer over time. I don't think they'll be going short again anytime soon because the longer crop is much more attractive. People who don't plan to show in conformation often elect to have a more medium-length crop since the longer the crop, the more challenging it can be to get the ears to stand properly.

Out of curiosity myself, I looked up a couple other standards. Boxer says, "Customarily cropped, cut rather long and tapering..." Great Dane says, "If cropped, the ear length is in proportion to the size of the head..."

There are other breeds that typically have a very short crop, like the AmStaff and the Cane Corso. I guess it does boil down to fashion.

Thanks Cheri!

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

COONHOUNDS! Some of those are just sweet. I once set a fracture on a coonhound
I had found in a snowbank-- without any anaesthesia we thought he'd been hit by a car, clinic didn't want the liability (made no sense at all, whatever). All he did was turn his head away, he loved his cast. So gentle, so stoic.

I really think hounds are some of the best family pets around, low maintenance, gentle, lazy yet silly and sweet. You aren't going to win many doggie genius awards, but they are just as content to go all day while you hike or lay at your feet.

Ok, I know Im alittle late (I had to record it), but did anyone see the Ibezan Hound this year? Is it me or was he really skinny? I don't know too much about the breed, but I could see all of its ribs and its hip bones. Should they look like that?

Many sighthounds run very thin - Salukis, Afghans, Ibizans, etc generally have their hip bones showing. I am not intimately familar with the breeds but I believe that this is a breed type/structure deal. The Ibizan standard calls for a height of 22-27 inches and 45-50 pounds which given the height, is pretty lean:

http://www.ihcus.org/?doc=breed

Here is a video of Ibizan hunting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX7n49K8a3A

One of the breeds I really liked seeing was the Beauceron. What's weird is in the breed standard it requires both back dewclaws. Anyone know why?

 Quote: laurel hamby

One of the breeds I really liked seeing was the Beauceron. What's weird is in the breed standard it requires both back dewclaws. Anyone know why?

Yep!

Briard and Beauceron are very closely related. In fact, the split in breeds only happened in the 19th century. Their standards are virtually identical, with primary differences being coat and color. If you study the breed standards closely, you can see that coat/color DQs came about as part of the separation of the two breeds.

Anyhoo, as to the double dew claws, Pyrs have them too.

It started with selection for the proper temperament centuries ago. Farmers came to believe that the best dogs always seemed to have double dew claws on the rear feet.

Over time, the presence of those double dew claws were an indication that the dog was of pure blood, not an outcross. There were all sorts of justifications for this....better footing for agility and navigation over rough terrain, etc....

In truth, it is simply a hallmark of these breeds, brought down through the centuries because some farmer thought there was a correlation to the double dewclaws and the dogs' ability to do their job.

Lack of double dew claws on the rear feet is a disaqualification in these breeds. They aren't vestigial as in most breeds, but actual 5th and 6th toes, ideally low on the foot in line with the other toes (although you will see them quite high as well). Any talk of removing them is heresy, and would be as major an operation as removing any other "regular" toe.

Tracy

 Quote: cheri grissom

 Quote: cj barrett

 Quote: betty landercasp

No one answered my question about the GSD and the hocks? There must be some historical basis for that look. I'm really curious as to what it is.

This is a great article discussing the functional angulation and hocks:

http://leerburg.com/gsd-gate.htm

I like what Mr. Frawley has to say in the introduction:

In my opinion is it foolish, stupid and wrong to breed an animal whose sole purpose is to enter conformation shows and run in a circle. I will guarantee you that Max Von Stephanitz never had the American German Shepherd in mind when he wrote his standards for the breed in the early 1900's.

That is an excellent article. I find it just heartbreaking to see how the breed has been ruined. Of course, there are many members on this forum who own really nice GSDs, but I'm sure you put a lot of time and research into finding a breeder who puts an emphasis on correct structure, form to function, and proper temperament.

I think the show Labs are being ruined, too. In the last few years, I've noticed that the ones in the conformation ring are looking more and more barrel-shaped, and their legs are getting shorter and shorter. It's not a look I care for and I don't think it makes for a very athletic sporting dog.

I am very happy the Scottish Deerhound went BIS. Though that's not a breed I have ever considered owning, I have always thought they were elegant and graceful, and out of those final seven dogs, if you told me I had to take one home, she would be the one!

Amen to this. It took me a long time to find Betty. And still I was afraid to get a GSD. She and her dogs proved me wrong though. But it is really scary when there are "German Shepherds" out there looking like this:

http://stonehedgeshepherds.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/stonehedge-german-shepherds-amboss-02.jpg

Makes me very sad, mostly for the dogs. What kind of life is this one going to have?

Holy crap, Katie. That dog breaks my heart.

Agree with Cheri, in that show labs look like lumbering louts to me.

I love the look of the flat-coat retriever, but I've been told they have a terrible cancer rate, so I don't think I'd have one.