In time hopefully she will be able to show him in the JR. Handler program. That would be a great experience for her. And with practice she could win scholarship money toward collage.
What kennel did you get him from? What are his lines? What all are you going to do with him?
I plan to put some rally and obedience titles on him. See how we do in conformation. Get his hips done. His breeder is interested in using him for stud, provided that he does well. Otherwise, he'll be getting snipped sometime in the future.
He has great drive and focus. If I had the time and money, I know that he would have finished a couple titles by now. But with 2 kids in school, I just don't have the time to travel to shows. It's an expensive hobby!
Well, I assume you're talking about showing him in AKC conformation shows, and he's not a "show type" GSD, so I wouldn't go in with high hopes. The GSD ring is also dominated by pro handlers, so while he looks like a good example of a functional, working GSD, don't expect him to do well in the AKC show ring.
For reference, this is what an American "show type" GSD looks like:
I would just like to add that this dog is by no means "overly extreme" by today's standards and this is a functional, healthy dog that is also a proven herding dog. The "Specialty type" GSD are waaaaaay more extreme than this dog.
Well, I assume you're talking about showing him in AKC conformation shows, and he's not a "show type" GSD, so I wouldn't go in with high hopes. The GSD ring is also dominated by pro handlers, so while he looks like a good example of a functional, working GSD, don't expect him to do well in the AKC show ring.
For reference, this is what an American "show type" GSD looks like:
I would just like to add that this dog is by no means "overly extreme" by today's standards and this is a functional, healthy dog that is also a proven herding dog. The "Specialty type" GSD are waaaaaay more extreme than this dog.
I don't think she is talking about AKC showing. There's not a judge of AKC Am-bred sheps that would put her dog up. However I think the European lines of GSD are far and away more "functional", sane, and useful as a breed. I've owned both American/Canadian lines and Czech/East and West German working line dogs. There's no such thing as an American GSD that can actually work the way they are supposed to and maintain normal health to a decent age. I won't even mention the mental health differences between the two "varieties" either.
oh, it's an AKC show. And I know that a Czech line isn't their cup of tea lol I just want to get him in the public eye, an alternative to the showline dogs that won breed last year. Even the kennel club members didn't like them and a few people thought that the judge should have exercised his right to not give ribbons. I've found that a lot of the general public have never seen a well-made, functional GSD.
It's for fun. However, in defense of some of my breeder friends, there ARE breeders of ASL who work their dogs. Especially in herding. They aren't entirely my cup of tea, but they are good solid workers. Kimber, an ASL in my training co-op, can give Singe a run for his money any day of the week. It is harder to find them, but they're out there.
Our show is smaller. Though we still get a lot of pros, there are many OHs as well. He's been seen by a couple different judges (though not of GSDs) who think that he is divine. And a friend who left the GSD breed because of the route that it was taking in the conformation ring. If he ever disappears, I'm checking her house first!
Now, when a couple of my friends tried to encourage me to take him to the Specialty in St. Louis, I drew the line I was afraid they wouldn't let us in the parking lot, let alone the building rofl
In the end, it's all in fun. I'm going to be stewarding those 2 days anyway, so why not take him along?
ETA: if I ever decide to get serious about conformation, I'll reg him with the UKC. I've been told that a working line dog can finish in a heartbeat there
It's an expensive hobby!
And I know that a Czech line isn't their cup of tea lol I just want to get him in the public eye, an alternative to the showline dogs that won breed last year. Even the kennel club members didn't like them and a few people thought that the judge should have exercised his right to not give ribbons. I've found that a lot of the general public have never seen a well-made, functional GSD.
I was afraid they wouldn't let us in the parking lot, let alone the building rofl
