I would imagine that there must be a hereditory factor to the calf lick like there is to eyes and GPRA and HC etc.....recessive genes and all that
Personally, I don't like them, I think that the more severe ones can really change the expression on the face...........not such an appealing or kind look to their expression..............I have been led to understand that it can also make all the difference to a placing under alot of judges in the show ring
Lokking at the photo, I would say that it is not as severe as some I have seen
Oh where did that pic come from!! Did I miss that first time or have you just added it?! Still can't see what I'm looking at though.... (other than a cutie-pie!)
As I understand it and how others have explained it to me, it's totally random as to whether pups have zippers or not. Ria's grandfather had one, her dam and sire both don't, yet she does. None of her litter siblings had one as far as I am aware.
Before taking her on I got as many opinions (from one-dog show people to champ show judges) as possible on them as I liked the way she was bred and her 'type' but my sticking point was her zipper. The general consensus was that zippers are not 'unshowable', it is totally subjective and many judges have had to look past them to the actual structure and conformation of a dog as MANY winners at champ level have them - if you get chucked out because of a zip then you just learn not to enter under that judge again
Ria's breeder kept her as pick bitch and I trust her judgement. My decision wasn't just about showing but working as well. God knows she is a lot better looking than some of the working dogs even WITH the zipper
Now we just have to choose carefully as to what husband(s) we choose for her - if we take future generations back into 'line' then we run the risk of reproducing the zipper - this isn't necessarily a bad thing, but ideally not something we want to do.
My decision was swayed based on the fact that there is a LOT to like about her and she is from parents who actively work and do ok in Open tests - something which is VERY important to me. Another sway point is that she is Optigen Clear - added up all this plus more and all the pros far outweighed her cons. No such thing as a perfect dog but she will hopefully be a SUPER foundation brood bitch which is where I eventually want to go. Fingers and toes crossed for good health scores now. Just trying to find a decent pic of her zipper
Edited for AWFUL spelling.
Last edited by _LUCY_ on Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:04 pm; edited 2 times in total
Sometimes it looks really bad and other times I forget she has it as you can hardly see it.
One thing I have learned though is that as soon as you know what one is, you see it EVERYWHERE. Before, I never even noticed one single dog with one. I have 3 friends with labradors who have zippers and I've known these dogs forever yet never noticed til I met Ria!
calflick/cowlick/zipper, all the same thing and all can go horizontal or vertical. I am convinced there is an inherited element but its hard to track down. I also think sometimes it is about development in the sac and you see some wierd and wonderful ones sometimes.
Had a puppy born once with a bald star on his head. When you scrunched up his skin in the manner of him being at an awkward angle in the sack and pressing the skin together on his head for some weeks, it made that perfect star and was how the hair had not developed.
it did grow but he has a faint star shape with a parting in a odd manner, which is all a calflick is, the parting is just in the wrong place
I think whilst personally they aren't helpdful in a showdog as they harden the expression there are a lot worse things knocking about in our showring and you have to weigh everything up when judging. In a pet some people seem to even like them and go for the 'licked' puppy in a litter even when they have a choice!
Di
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The boys!
Read: Wylanbriar Dog Blog on the website: Updated! 1st February 12´!
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