Quote:
Originally Posted by Ladyhawk  No everyone doesn't have to be a show breeder but if you breed you will find a show experience to be very educational. None of us can strive to improve the breed in temperment, health, and beautify according to the breed standard without an education. A personal mentor to teach you is not always easy to find. I enjoy going to the shows and am honored that a judge would take time out to go over a dog for me ( they'll do it even if your not showing). I've learned so much about confirmation issues that I just couldn't comprehend from reading a book. Having someone go over the faults as well as the shining attributes of your bitch or dog can only help you when your trying to improve upon that dog an develop your line. The post is a tough one and as careful as I'm trying to be there were still some "ouch"s that I felt. No one is perfect I guess, we're all on a journey. |
Well said.
Showing was what I did before I ever attempted breeding. There is a wealth of knowledge to draw on from breeders/exhibitors/judges. To listen to them explain the structure of a dog, stifles, pasterns, tipped pelvis......the many structural reasons a dog gaits the way the do....the reason they do not have the proper head carriage.....angulation, cow hock, ....too close in the rear, bad fronts, ear set, eastie/westies.....it use to amaze me, until I caught on and the light went on that if I wanted to breed to improve....that I really should know all this stuff before I even attempted it.