[gemy]

I tend to agree with this assessment.

It is unfortunate that you first elaborated on the Pekingese. Arguably one of the "oldest" pure breds around. It was bred by the Chinese to be just a lap dog, and a sharp barker. They were not expected to walk at all, but to sit quietly on the royalty's lap, unless a threat was heard/smelt. So actually that was one of the better moving Peke's that I've seen. Their heavy coat does make them very hot in indoor show environments. Would I love to see them move better? Well yes actually. but that is just moi, an uninformed novice in terms of the Pekes structure temperament etc.

GSD's, go to Europe and you won't find the mess the American Breeders made of this beautiful animal. But they are trying to correct it. Took only about 10yrs to "ruin" the breed, and will probably take 30 yrs to correct; which my understanding is that many GSD breeders have been in the throes of doing this for quite some time.

Obese dogs and people certainly seem to be a problem in North America. Show ring dogs are not exempt it appears from the epidemic of "fatness" that is pervasive in the culture. I'm sure you know of this, as there have been many studies, talks, and articles about this epidemic.

Is the show world perfect? No and I mentioned that before as well. But it is a system that is in place, and does have checks and balances. But I can't speak of the show world in Europe or outside North AMerica; I do know that there are other countries that require much more from a show dog prior to placing a CH title on them, certain European countries being one. Germans have a whole structued breeding evaluative system in place, and one that is amazing. There are requirements each breeding dog must meet before being bred, and the breeder is examined,her place of whelping inspected, within three days of the whelp the examiner is on their doorstep to "inspect", etc. There is also apparently a huge supportive network of experienced breeders who train/coach the novice.

I do hope we as a North American breed fanciers, can make changes from within.