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Things that make me ill...

I will admit it, I am a movement snob. I believe that dogs should move as their standards have them built. Since a Rat Terrier has a well laid back shoulder and "matching" rear angulation, its movement is not flashy nor is it "terrier-like." A Rat Terrier's movement should be balanced and efficient. I've argued for years that a Rat Terrier should move like a "trotter" - mostly like a Dalmatian amazingly enough! Their movement should be smooth, their toplines should not roach, their feet should not be caught up in a tangle at mid-stride, their reach and drive should be easy and go from the tip of their nose to the tip of where their tail would have been (easy enough to figure out). They should be able to trot all day and not get tired. They are not built for sprinting like a Whippet nor stopping to dig as a Jack Russell. It is a unique movement for a terrier, but it is fantastic to see nonetheless.

Previously I have discussed the exaggerations of certain breeds of dogs that have lead to their downfall, especially structurally. I noted that judges, in all their humanness, sometimes will put up flash over substance and familiar faces over what is on the end of the lead.

German Shepard's are supposed to have what is known as a "flying trot." It is a sight to behold a GSD in a true flying trot - the speed and quickness of their movement is phenomenal.

There are so many resources on the web alone along with countless books that detail what a flying trot is supposed to look like. Therefore, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for judges putting up this:



This dog has an obscene number of Best in Show wins. It makes me ill to see pictures of his movement!


Why does it make me sick to see this picture? Because this is NOT what a flying trot is supposed to look like!


THIS is:

Note the feet mid-stride underneath the dog - they are BOTH off the ground. The reason they are not in our Best in Show (gag) dog is because, according to Ms. Linda Shaw from whom the drawing was snatched,

In movement, [the Best in Show dog] gives the illusion of impressive stride and power. He does show fine reach, because he is so loosely ligamented. Some show an exaggerated reach, with the foreleg actually achieving an horizontal position. A normally muscled front with good bone relationships can't do this, at least not at a trot. The exaggerated rear angulation ostensibly increases power and drive. What it actually does is produce an overextended length of stride, which requires an excessively long back to absorb it. It also gives the associated floppy, sickle (and probably cow) hocks that are unable to completely snap open on follow-through, and that waste a great deal of energy. The rear is lowered as a result, sloping not just the topline, but the spine as well. An opened hock is achieved by speed, with the hock thrown back and flipped open of its own momentum, but providing no power. Hence the over fast gaiting at so many specialty shows. Loose, excessive angles also prevent the dog from showing any period of suspension, even at faster speeds. The hind leg has landed almost up to the hock (plantar) before the forefoot is anywhere near leaving the ground. The dog can’t generate sufficient power to lift and suspend the body. Needless to say, this conformation is incapable of providing the power or coordination necessary for fast galloping or athletic jumping.

More of Ms. Shaw's fine drawings and discussion of the GSD standard can be found here. Go check it out! You might learn something - I know I did!

Is THIS what we want for our breeds that we so love? I wonder because while we might not all want a GSD for herding or protection work, we just might want a fine family dog, we STILL want it to be able to go through its entire life without becoming crippled in its old age! A fine thing, this Best in Show dog - it reminds me to be vigilant in keeping my Rat Terriers as close to the standard as possible and without any exaggerations that will cause the breed to break down.

Do I love my show ring rosettes? Why yes, yes I do. Will I sacrifice sound structure for one? Not just no, but hell no.
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