Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:45 pm Post subject: Breed Standard Amendments & Showing trends
With Crufts round the corner, this has prompted me to wonder if recent(ish) 2009 Breed Standard changes to the Labrador has had any noticeable effect in the showing world? e.g.
"very agile (which precludes excessive body weight or excessive substance)"
"well sprung barrel ribs – this effect not to be produced by carrying excessive weight."
When I went to Crufts a year ago, I saw some very nice dogs indeed and then I also, if I'm honest, saw some that wobbled (for want of a better word) around the Rings clearly carrying a good amount of weight. At the time the changes to the breed standard as above had not long been brought in I guess, so now we are a year or so and it would be interesting to hear if there has there been any noticeable trends towards more agile, less excessive body weight carrying dogs and those without excessive substance?
I'm not asking what is 'right or wrong' in terms of labrador shape etc just if in the Showing World there have been any changes in the judging in light of the breed standard amendments a wee while ago?
Here's an interesting comparison in shape and form changes across the years. Check out the video for the Westminster Dog Show from this year and compare with a BOB show from 1987. Note the change in leg length, chest depth and weight.
Have kept this to the US on purpose given we are a broadly UK forum:
Looks like the trend in the US has been towards bigger dogs in general over the years.
What a shame . You could hardly call those in the 2011 video extremely agile, could you, in fact not only do a lot of them look like over stuffed sausages, but most were panting hard just after trotting a triangle.
I do think when I first started going to Crufts, the Labs were carrying more weight. However over the years they have still got the bone, but much less of the fat now, so it'll be interesting to see how much our UK Labs shapes have changed in maybe 10-15 years time.
the first yellow dog on the 2011 video looks ok to me as did the black who went next but the 2 chocs and the black that followed they looked huge and not in a good way i then stopped watching
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Not much difference in leg length Helen, just a thunderingly large rib cage which extends so much lower. I was reading an American show Lab forum where the discussion was that they could not produce a good show dog to standard under 125 lbs, thats 56.7kg Ridiculous! They want their heads examining!
Indeed they do John. Here's an example of a current day american champion that fits your description of that weight 'issue' John:
I note the AKC breed standard states:
"athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog; the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under difficult conditions.
Labrador Retrievers shall be shown in working condition well-muscled and without excess fat."
Yes can see that the chest has hugely expanded over time, which *may* produce a shorter looking leg.
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and then I also, if I'm honest, saw some that wobbled (for want of a better word) around the Rings clearly carrying a good amount of weight. At the time the changes to the breed standard as above had not long been brought in I guess, so now we are a year or so and it would be interesting to hear if there has there been any noticeable trends towards more agile, less excessive body weight carrying dogs and those without excessive substance?
. You could hardly call those in the 2011 video extremely agile, could you, in fact not only do a lot of them look like over stuffed sausages, but most were panting hard just after trotting a triangle.
they looked huge and not in a good way 
