I admit that I think the Best lineup this year was stronger than it has
been in a number of years. There were a number of dogs I really liked
going in--the Bloodhound who won in FL, the Pyr, the Tibbie. Didn't
really think about the GSP. BC was eh--not my kind of dog. I just don't
get Pekes--it looked like a demented tribble.

Bloodhound up first. The minute he stacked I knew he wasn't going to win
it this time. Not on his game. Still a lovely dog but at this level they
need to show they want it. Then the Pointer came out. It was all over
for me from that minute on. What an amazing freestack, then she did it
again when the judge had everybody bring the dogs out one more time. She
just stood there and said, "honey, it's all about me." Made the hair
stand up on the back of my neck. She owned that building and every
person in it.

It's so nice to see an honest dog win--a sound dog, lovely head, super
mover. And, if any of you noticed, not fat. Not a spare ounce on that
dog. She didn't need it.

Second (and trying hard for BIS) in my mind was Co-Co the Norfolk. Any
other night she would have had it in the bag, but tonight she just
couldn't defeat that Shorthair. Just a hair over the top. But man it was
close.

Overall I thought the quality much better than what I saw in the Group
rings at the Euk cup. I don't know if that means the Euk cup just didn't
have as many top dogs, or the Euk cup is more political, or just a
different lineup. There were still some duds, but most of the movement
faults were not quite as glaring. Though I have to say that is the
ugliest Cattle dog I have *ever* seen.

Robin Nuttall writes:

BC was eh--not my kind of dog.

Yeah, a real "working" dog there (snork).

I just don't get Pekes--it looked like a demented tribble.

The BC kinda reminded me of a giant peke.

--
Stafford A. Rau
raudog @ rauhaus.org

"Robin Nuttall" wrote in message
news:k3AQd.1201$4D6.205@attbi_s51...

need to show they want it. Then the Pointer came out. It was all over
for me from that minute on. What an amazing freestack, then she did it
again when the judge had everybody bring the dogs out one more time. She
just stood there and said, "honey, it's all about me." Made the hair
stand up on the back of my neck. She owned that building and every
person in it.

I agree...I really liked her a lot. I liked the Pyr, but just didn't see
him being chosen.

My husband asked me which ones I liked best and I said, "TheShorthair...and
the Norfolk." He liked the GSP as well,
but more because it was just that...a very honest dog. When
she freestacked that way, I just said, "Oh, it will be her night."

I also picked the cut for the Herding group, although I included
the Malinois--he was *gorgeous* (and of course, my heart was pulling for
Quinny, the Sheepdog)--although I was surprised by the Briard,
and the way she placed them (I had left out the OES, but just because
they don't do a thing for me).
Shelly & The Boys

Robin Nuttall wrote:

I admit that I think the Best lineup this year was stronger than it has
been in a number of years. There were a number of dogs I really liked
going in--the Bloodhound who won in FL, the Pyr, the Tibbie. Didn't
really think about the GSP. BC was eh--not my kind of dog. I just don't
get Pekes--it looked like a demented tribble.

Bloodhound up first. The minute he stacked I knew he wasn't going to win
it this time. Not on his game. Still a lovely dog but at this level they
need to show they want it. Then the Pointer came out. It was all over
for me from that minute on. What an amazing freestack, then she did it
again when the judge had everybody bring the dogs out one more time. She
just stood there and said, "honey, it's all about me." Made the hair
stand up on the back of my neck. She owned that building and every
person in it.

I was dog sitting again last night for 3 rescued springer's and we all
curled up on the chair (yes, all 4 of us) and watched...we had a grand time.
While I enjoyed watching the "fancy" dogs show off, I kept saying to myself
(while the dogs were snuggling with me) "I'm glad I do resuce...I couldn't
seriously get a dog from a breeder and show it if I didn't first make an
effort to help the dogs that people threw away". Norman, Kelly and Tasha and
I have the following thoughts....

I'm so new to the showing, I almost feel silly posting this but I too
thought he was "off"....I've seen him once or twice on TV when the talking
heads say he's "on" and comparing last night to other nights, IMO he was
off. If it wasn't such a nice GSP, I'd have wanted Knotty to win. Good for
him though, breaking some records with that liver/tan coloring.

That GSP was a beauty. One thing I liked about her was that despite my like
of coated breeds, she was so clean and you could see her body. It was hard
and muscular. No fur to hide anything....not that I'd know what was being
hidden anyway, but I just loved the outline. When she stacked so
beautifully, it reminded me of when Mic, the Kerry Blue did it a few years
back (was it Westminster or Crufts?) I've always admired this
breed....anyone here own one or know much about it?....its one of those
breeds I'd say I'd own if I had a ton of land, a ton of time and a ton of
money.



It's so nice to see an honest dog win--a sound dog, lovely head, super
mover. And, if any of you noticed, not fat. Not a spare ounce on that
dog. She didn't need it.

Second (and trying hard for BIS) in my mind was Co-Co the Norfolk. Any
other night she would have had it in the bag, but tonight she just
couldn't defeat that Shorthair. Just a hair over the top. But man it was
close.


I liked her too, but being a "big dog" person, I suppose I haven't yet
learned to appreciate smaller dogs. (am I the only one who was glad not to
see Colman?...I'm sure he's a nice dog but I just can't appreciate Poodles
and Peks) But she was a cutie...I wonder if they gave out a 2nd place, if
she'd get it or Knotty...I think she'd have got it since she seemed more on.
One question I have about the timing of her puppies...it seemed odd to
me...are there "seasons" in the show circuit? It seemed that she had puppies
in the middle of the season..or at least the season of shows aired on TV.


Overall I thought the quality much better than what I saw in the Group
rings at the Euk cup. I don't know if that means the Euk cup just didn't
have as many top dogs, or the Euk cup is more political, or just a
different lineup. There were still some duds, but most of the movement
faults were not quite as glaring. Though I have to say that is the
ugliest Cattle dog I have *ever* seen.

I agree with the ACD....based on pictures I've seen, I thought he was well,
unattractive.

Not having much knowledge of the show circuit, I'd say I liked the lineup as
well. But then again, some of my preferences are more about liking a certain
breed over another and less about who is more sound. I liked the choices
from the groups except the herding and toy. When I saw the BC I thought to
myself "That's what they mean by Barbi-Collie!"...From my completely
untrained eye, I had a hard time seeing that dog trying to herd sheep. I
liked the Aussie..but maybe because of the coat markings...is that called
blue merle?. I'm not a Peke person...nor a toy poodle..not sure who I would
have chosen as an alternative toy. I don't know much about the Tibetan but
it was a nice looking dog....

All in all, nice show. Our Adoptions coord. at MAESSR (springer rescue) was
there in the audience. I think it will be fun to hear her account of things.
Last year, one of our volunteers showed a Harrier. He didn't win the breed
but being asked to show at Westminster was honor enough.

Darby.

Darby Wiggins wrote:



I was dog sitting again last night for 3 rescued springer's and we all
curled up on the chair (yes, all 4 of us) and watched...we had a grand time.
While I enjoyed watching the "fancy" dogs show off, I kept saying to myself
(while the dogs were snuggling with me) "I'm glad I do resuce...I couldn't
seriously get a dog from a breeder and show it if I didn't first make an
effort to help the dogs that people threw away". Norman, Kelly and Tasha and
I have the following thoughts....

Just a note, but lots and lots of these people do rescue too. Just
because they show in conformation and breed some dogs doesn't mean they
don't also rescue...

I'm so new to the showing, I almost feel silly posting this but I too
thought he was "off"....I've seen him once or twice on TV when the talking
heads say he's "on" and comparing last night to other nights, IMO he was
off. If it wasn't such a nice GSP, I'd have wanted Knotty to win. Good for
him though, breaking some records with that liver/tan coloring.

He's truly a lovely dog with a lovely personality. He put the
competitors away in Florida. The GSP did it at Westminster.


Overall I thought the quality much better than what I saw in the Group
rings at the Euk cup. I don't know if that means the Euk cup just didn't
have as many top dogs, or the Euk cup is more political, or just a
different lineup. There were still some duds, but most of the movement
faults were not quite as glaring. Though I have to say that is the
ugliest Cattle dog I have *ever* seen.


I agree with the ACD....based on pictures I've seen, I thought he was well,
unattractive.

Really bad head--pinhead, buggy eyes, flat face. sloppy front movement,
and what was with that tail???

Ohh...didn't mean to come across snotty or self absorbed...sorry. I know lots of
folks do rescue...Man, Sorry if I offended anyone!

Robin Nuttall wrote:

Darby Wiggins wrote:



I was dog sitting again last night for 3 rescued springer's and we all
curled up on the chair (yes, all 4 of us) and watched...we had a grand time.
While I enjoyed watching the "fancy" dogs show off, I kept saying to myself
(while the dogs were snuggling with me) "I'm glad I do resuce...I couldn't
seriously get a dog from a breeder and show it if I didn't first make an
effort to help the dogs that people threw away". Norman, Kelly and Tasha and
I have the following thoughts....

Just a note, but lots and lots of these people do rescue too. Just
because they show in conformation and breed some dogs doesn't mean they
don't also rescue...



I'm so new to the showing, I almost feel silly posting this but I too
thought he was "off"....I've seen him once or twice on TV when the talking
heads say he's "on" and comparing last night to other nights, IMO he was
off. If it wasn't such a nice GSP, I'd have wanted Knotty to win. Good for
him though, breaking some records with that liver/tan coloring.

He's truly a lovely dog with a lovely personality. He put the
competitors away in Florida. The GSP did it at Westminster.


Overall I thought the quality much better than what I saw in the Group
rings at the Euk cup. I don't know if that means the Euk cup just didn't
have as many top dogs, or the Euk cup is more political, or just a
different lineup. There were still some duds, but most of the movement
faults were not quite as glaring. Though I have to say that is the
ugliest Cattle dog I have *ever* seen.


I agree with the ACD....based on pictures I've seen, I thought he was well,
unattractive.

Really bad head--pinhead, buggy eyes, flat face. sloppy front movement,
and what was with that tail???

(Melanie L Chang) writes:

The funny thing is that, even though they aren't bred to an
appearance standard, no one seems to have a problem identifying a
working Border Collie as a Border Collie. There are just some
breeds where physical type doesn't matter much.

Let the Hill prove the Dog. ;-)

--
Stafford A. Rau
raudog @ rauhaus.org

Darby Wiggins said in rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

I was dog sitting again last night for 3 rescued springer's
and we all curled up on the chair (yes, all 4 of us) and
watched...we had a grand time.

That's it. I've *got* to get grey-market satellite, if only to
get Super Bowl commercials and full Westminster coverage.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

Robin Nuttall wrote:
He's truly a lovely dog with a lovely personality. He put the
competitors away in Florida. The GSP did it at Westminster.

I think he's a lovely animal -- I'm just not sure Bloodhounds are
supposed to move like that. Carrying the head high makes for very
showy ring presence, but my gut feeling is that that's not the way
Bloodhounds move naturally. Any hound people here care to comment?

I know in my breed (boxers) there's a tendency in group competition for
the dogs that sail around the ring, head held high, to be more
successful, and that's not proper movement for boxers, either.

That said, I rooted for Knotty in the Euk.

I liked that the pointer wasn't generic show dog -- she didn't exude a
non-breed specific perky personality.

kassa

In article ,
Rocky wrote:
That's it. I've *got* to get grey-market satellite, if only to
get Super Bowl commercials and full Westminster coverage.

And I've been thinking that I have to get grey-market
Canadian satellite for better news and better winter sports
coverage (and how's "Movie Night In Canada" working out?).
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

All you need to know about Social Security "reform": Your
in-laws are going to have to live with you