Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximo  Looks like there are many possible explanations for a "broken rear end." Now I'm even more fascinated with back ends, lol, and I can't wait to go to my first show (this fall) to see the Yorkies strut their stuff in the ring. |
Oh poo and I thought you were going to post that link to where you saw the broken rear end thingie.
Movement is my passion and my fascination. Human/dogs whatever.
Some suggestions about observing movement: Stand not too far away but far enough away that on side gait you can get a visual expanse of the side gait.
Next: soften your gaze, try not to pinpoint your stare, rather it's almost as if you are looking at the horizon.
Initially just observe don't try to judge what is right/wrong, just look, and you will be amazed to see over time how you can tell this dog's movement was different to a/b/ or c's.
Now your impressions after observation: how smooth was the gait? How balanced the gait? Did the front paws reach out as far as chin , and the back paw extend out. Similar reach n drive?
How was the head carried? Underside of chin level to ground? Chin Up or down? Tail Carriage? Tucked/Down, Up, Curved over back,
Look at the rear in side motion: How much of a roll side to side?
Also you can go online and see some video before you go to your first live show. Then when you get a "feel" for the side movement see if you can see when a dog starts to pace. See if you can see when the handler is "stringing" up the dog. Also in our coated breed sometimes puppies are best to look at, although pups cause they are pups will probably show joint laxity or looseness, and can be easily distracted in the ring, meaning they might look left or right, hop, run, and generally just be a pup.
The Dreaded Down n Back... J/K sort of. Here is where you get to see potentially lots of faults.
Also by the way it is hard for the newbie exhibitor to do well. As the exhibitor you want to trot your dog straight away from the judge and straight back.
Sidewinding/Crossovers, Rolling, Crabbing, Paddling, all can be evident here.
As the observer stand to one side of the judge to try to get the same "seeing" as she/he has.
Draw an imaginary straight line from the midsection of the dog back to you, or away from you as the case might be. Imagine a line in the sand, and you want the four paws to hit the ground equidistant to this midline. In fact in training you can do just that if you have a beach - very informative.
The dog should come straight at you with the right and left front paws exactly the same distance away from that midline .. ditto the rear paws.
Now for most dogs as the speed of the pace increases the dog will track to the midline. How much is too much? Good question and it depends on the breed and of course the speed.
Anyhow that's it for now. Enjoy