The show trot

[kjcmsw]

Sometimes I wish I did have the time, money, energy to show, the one remaining pup we have just glides and has that little kick out with his front feet (some little thing I noticed watching the Yorkie shows, not that I know anything about that, but I noticed the winners seem to have that very neat prance to them). I keep looking at him and thinking so sad he'll probably never be shown. (I'm not planning on showing just trying to learn more about the correct standard etc, so that's why I'm paying attention to his attributes) His topline is perfect and everything else as far as I can tell but of course I'm no show person. But, in all honesty from what I've learned here I don't think he has the proper ear set. I think his ears are probably too big and too wide set (but I don't know if that's something they grow into). But other than that he's seems to be a nearly perfect specimen. Such a nice disposition too.
Anyway, the point was about his "kick out" - I think it's so cool and I always thought that was something the show people trained their Yorkies to do but apparently it's a natural gait. Interesting that's all.
I grew up with horses also. Barrel raced. We lived in CA as kids and my parents (being from the midwest) decided the city was no place for kids and packed us all up and moved to the northwest - bought a ranch, got us horses and put us in every local rodeo my dad could find.

[bjh]

What are some of the faults that can be seen by observing movement that can be hidden when the dog is still? For example, topline....if a dog is moving down in the front, is that due to poor shoulder placement or could it also be caused by straight stifles? What causes the hackney movement, is that poor shoulder placement also? What causes crossing over in the front?

Rear movement going away..... I see some that almost look like they are sorta paddling like a duck, what is this due to? Would being cowhocked cause that or too much angulation or pulling on the lead?

I have been to some shows where the dogs misbehaved badly and won. I don't see how the judges were really able to access their behavior. It seems that some judges really like dogs that show a lot of spunk. On the other hand, I have observed dogs that looked almost crippled at one show and the next show they had beautiful movement. I think that can be attributed to handling. If a dog is strung up or is pulling or being pulled it is hard to really judge their movement. That is one reason I have learned not to assume a dog has a problem just from observing them at one show. We all have a bad days and dogs do too.

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by bjh

What are some of the faults that can be seen by observing movement that can be hidden when the dog is still? For example, topline....if a dog is moving down in the front, is that due to poor shoulder placement or could it also be caused by straight stifles? What causes the hackney movement, is that poor shoulder placement also? What causes crossing over in the front?

Rear movement going away..... I see some that almost look like they are sorta paddling like a duck, what is this due to? Would being cowhocked cause that or too much angulation or pulling on the lead?

I have been to some shows where the dogs misbehaved badly and won. I don't see how the judges were really able to access their behavior. It seems that some judges really like dogs that show a lot of spunk. On the other hand, I have observed dogs that looked almost crippled at one show and the next show they had beautiful movement. I think that can be attributed to handling. If a dog is strung up or is pulling or being pulled it is hard to really judge their movement. That is one reason I have learned not to assume a dog has a problem just from observing them at one show. We all have a bad days and dogs do too.

Of course all dogs have bad days but crippled is crippled...one can place back in a stifle while stacking and the dog move correctly. People can hide many things as you've seen yourself sad but true.
Everything has to fit in structure and I think shoulder placement has a lot to do with it along with the dogs angeluation in the rear. The front movement in my opinion has to do with the shoulder placement and the rear movement has to do with the rear angulation and also having the correct shoulder placement. I dont like a dog that paddles or single tracks in the rear but some can live with that but I personally can not as it's a structure thing for me. I can live with a wider ear set and I'm not talking eastie westie ears and I can live with a lighter colored dog and I'm not talking light silver but a medium color. I can't live with a bad bite either LOL...

Donna

[bjh]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Of course all dogs have bad days but crippled is crippled...one can place back in a stifle while stacking and the dog move correctly. People can hide many things as you've seen yourself sad but true.
Everything has to fit in structure and I think shoulder placement has a lot to do with it along with the dogs angeluation in the rear. The front movement in my opinion has to do with the shoulder placement and the rear movement has to do with the rear angulation and also having the correct shoulder placement. I dont like a dog that paddles or single tracks in the rear but some can live with that but I personally can not as it's a structure thing for me. I can live with a wider ear set and I'm not talking eastie westie ears and I can live with a lighter colored dog and I'm not talking light silver but a medium color. I can't live with a bad bite either LOL...

Donna

I understand what you are say, proper structure and coat should be there. Ear size, ear set, muzzle length, etc are not as important and can be easier to correct than a structure problem that involved the movement of the dog.

I have a question about puppies and toeing out (easty/westy front). If a puppy is slightly toeing out at 12 weeks can that correct itself when the puppy gets older? I have heard the term about 'when the chest drops' that sometimes this will correct a front that is just a little off. What are you thoughts on this and at what age does the chest drop?

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by bjh

I understand what you are say, proper structure and coat should be there. Ear size, ear set, muzzle length, etc are not as important and can be easier to correct than a structure problem that involved the movement of the dog.

I have a question about puppies and toeing out (easty/westy front). If a puppy is slightly toeing out at 12 weeks can that correct itself when the puppy gets older? I have heard the term about 'when the chest drops' that sometimes this will correct a front that is just a little off. What are you thoughts on this and at what age does the chest drop?

Yes, the chest can drop and do some correcting but the shoulder placement I think still has a lot to do with the front like the toes being eastie westie. ?depends on the lines in my opinon some develop later than others. Knowing your lines will pretty much tell you at what age somethings will correct itself and if not. Like Radar's gold....his lines shade out richer at a later age. So when he was younger his gold was lighter and now that he's mature his gold is very very nice. I knew that from his lines

[gemy]

Originally Posted by bjh

I understand what you are say, proper structure and coat should be there. Ear size, ear set, muzzle length, etc are not as important and can be easier to correct than a structure problem that involved the movement of the dog.

I have a question about puppies and toeing out (easty/westy front). If a puppy is slightly toeing out at 12 weeks can that correct itself when the puppy gets older? I have heard the term about 'when the chest drops' that sometimes this will correct a front that is just a little off. What are you thoughts on this and at what age does the chest drop?

I'm not a Yorkie breeder, but slight toeing out at 12 wks old, can be corrected. Maybe through chest drop, or in many other cases through physcial muscle conditioning.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Yes, the chest can drop and do some correcting but the shoulder placement I think still has a lot to do with the front like the toes being eastie westie. ?depends on the lines in my opinon some develop later than others. Knowing your lines will pretty much tell you at what age somethings will correct itself and if not. Like Radar's gold....his lines shade out richer at a later age. So when he was younger his gold was lighter and now that he's mature his gold is very very nice. I knew that from his lines

Thanks Donna, yes, knowing lines is important but sometimes when you outcross you might encounter things that you are not sure about. Some breedings really click and others might not.

I love Radar's gold. I like a beautiful shaded gold versus the redish gold I see on some yorkies.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by gemy

I'm not a Yorkie breeder, but slight toeing out at 12 wks old, can be corrected. Maybe through chest drop, or in many other cases through physcial muscle conditioning.

Thank you. I do think that exercise can help, especially if it is weak pasterns that are the problem.

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by bjh

Thanks Donna, yes, knowing lines is important but sometimes when you outcross you might encounter things that you are not sure about. Some breedings really click and others might not.

I love Radar's gold. I like a beautiful shaded gold versus the redish gold I see on some yorkies.

Even with an outcross you should know the lines and if they have outward toe placement ect...and if what happens early or late. It's just you don't know what the outcross is going to produce. But with going on an outcross it should be done when there is something you want to improve on in your breeding and lines ect...and yes some lines just don't click regardless. Just like the outcross Kathy and I just did with Radar and Drea...we both knew what each other needed to improve on and we felt this breeding will compliment the other knowing what each line has produced. So far, we have been correct in what we are seeing with the pups.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Even with an outcross you should know the lines and if they have outward toe placement ect...and if what happens early or late. It's just you don't know what the outcross is going to produce. But with going on an outcross it should be done when there is something you want to improve on in your breeding and lines ect...and yes some lines just don't click regardless. Just like the outcross Kathy and I just did with Radar and Drea...we both knew what each other needed to improve on and we felt this breeding will compliment the other knowing what each line has produced. So far, we have been correct in what we are seeing with the pups.

You are right, that is where knowing you lines and have a reputable, honest breeder is important but you know as well as I do that even the best planned breedings can still create pet quality dogs.

Radar and Drea's pups look really nice right now. I hope they all turn out to be show babies. I can't wait to see them in the ring.

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by bjh

You are right, that is where knowing you lines and have a reputable, honest breeder is important but you know as well as I do that even the best planned breedings can still create pet quality dogs.

Radar and Drea's pups look really nice right now. I hope they all turn out to be show babies. I can't wait to see them in the ring.

Of course nothing is guarnteed! There is no absolute!

Thank you Barb! I think so far they are very nice! I hope they hold together too...so far so good. All of them have beautiful heads and nice short backs, great tail sets, and nice angulation, just have to wait and see if they hold together