Some dogs don't even start their career until late. I have a bitch now that is 4 1/2 and has only been shown a couple of times as a puppy. There many reasons to hold back - waiting on coat, waiting for color to break ect.
I regularly show against the top dogs and the top handlers. When KM is at a show, she generally wins Winners Dog, Winners Bitch and Best of Breed. Very often, the married couple that handlers toys are there as well. Owner/Handlers win occasionally win but not often. Even the owner/handlers are major competion. I am usually in the ring with Tyava, Estugo, Durrers, Annastef, Caraneal, Thimbletip ect. It can take years to finish a dog.
Docking and cropping is no longer allowed in the UK so we will see more Danes and Dobes with natural ears. You are right on about GSD. Because of fashion, the dogs are bred for a certain look and most can no longer do the job they were breed to do. Corgi's are being ruined as well. The poor things are so long now. No wonder these breeds have hip and back problems. |