I've always loved Afghan Hounds, Ring 5 now.

wpskier222 wrote:

From my understanding, they are still being judged against the breed standard. There is no perfect dog in any standard, so in a BIS, the winner is whoever is closest to their breed standard. In dog shows, the breed standard is never a moot point, it's the only point (technically, although I think politics play a role too).

Technically, I think you are right. My mom was told she had great dogs but if she really wanted to bring her dogs to champion, she would have to hire from a very select group of handlers and stop trying to handle the dogs herself. Very disappointed because she like being in the ring - was hired the "right" handler, she started bringing home the champions. Disappointing, isn't it?

In one way that I have heard politics come in is how they weigh the standard. I heard this talking with a handler but some Judges will value one trait of the standard over the other. Such as the gate or legs or something.

Well that's just the judges' preferences, not politics. It would only be political if that preferential weight of one aspect of standard specifically favored one dog over another for some biased reason.

seattlesibe wrote:

I reckon swagger might come into play if the breed standard specifically calls for it.  Like the Husky specification of their gait.  

True, but many of the most successful huskies have gaits that are flashier and less efficient than the standard calls for because it looks good in the ring.

Amy, I've heard that too, but I've also seen some successful owner/handlers as well. It's sad its not always about the dogs.

Playing with the Big Dogs, yes in the end, it's a subjective decision on the part of the judge, but I don't see that as political. That seems more like preference.

seattlesibe wrote:

14 Ch Innisfree Chuck A Luck
Breed: Siberian Husky
Sex: Dog
AKC: WS 25018603
Date of Birth: November 05, 2007
Breeder: Innisfree Kennels & Anne & Brian Palmer
Sire: Ch Highlander's Go For Broke
Dam: Ch Innisfree Judy Kay
Owner: Innisfree Kennels & Anita Riley

5 Innisfree Vagabond Spirit At Wannahike
Breed: Siberian Husky
Sex: Dog
AKC: WS 32754901
Date of Birth: November 26, 2009
Breeder: Kathleen Kanzler
Sire: Ch Skrimshaw's Rebel Yell
Dam: Innisfree Black Rose
Owner: Deborah L Kreider

Layla has some Innisfree relatives on her dad's side, so I think I'll be paying the most attention to these two.

Link has a bunch too. Him and Layla might be closely related!

Haha, the judge just made his final go around of the Afghans and the one that yawned right in front of him won!

seattlesibe wrote:

Link has a bunch too.  Him and Layla might be closely related!

Could be! Most of her Innisfree relatives are back farther in her pedigree (three and four generations back) but it's nice to think she and Link may be closely related in some way.

seattlesibe wrote:

Haha, the judge just made his final go around of the Afghans and the one that yawned right in front of him won!

  I gotta start watching now.

Monkey Dogs, ring 3. so weird looking.

I was trying to guess what breed you were calling monkey dogs, and I guessed right! The brussels griffon. My parents had a friend that resembled those dogs, they bought him a tee-shirt with one on it.

They are so similar looking to the Affenpinscher

Oh wow! Maltese next. They are my guilty pleasure lol. I love to watch them gait, they look like cotton balls on wheels. I'm not a fan of their personalities though.

Aww, I love Affenpinschers. I call them little Wookiees.   

I think for non-Huskies my favorite breeds based on looks are German Wirehaired Pointers, American English Coonhounds, English Pointers, Afghan Hounds, and Airedale Terriers.

I want a dog with a beard one day, probably a GWP once we live in the woods.

Coonhounds are hilarious, I've had the pleasure of knowing two blue tics and they are just a riot. Great personalities, quite loud though.

Good ole Southern dogs.

With descriptions such as, red bone, and blue tic, how could they not be?

Kong Fillers, Ring 2. Ick.

I'm just catching up on the days events now (stupid time difference!) but I am loving watching the breeds I adore the Briards obviously since there is one in my family, The bouviers remind me of oversized scotties and oh the chows! I love chows! I would never have one but I just melt at the site of a chow chow. The beagles with the way they kind of plod around make me giggle and the Afghans are stunningly different. Absolutely adored the wolfhounds as well

I really hope I get to see the Siberians show tomorrow, Orion has quite a bit of Innisfree in his pedigree and shares dogs in his lineage with the two on show so I would love to see them even if they aren't main contenders.

Jeff, German Wirehaired pointers are hands down the most energetic dogs I have come across and I have met quite a few! They are popular here as gun dogs since they have phenomenal endurance as a working breed. There is a team of 6 of them run in my district dryland sledding club and they leave all the Siberians for absolute dust it is amazing I love watching them run they are just pure muscle, a stunning breed for sure.

Jeff best in show is chosen using the time tested method of "one potato, two potato"   

Technically, BIS and Group placements are determined by comparing the BOB winners and determining which of those breeds are closest to their standards.

Honestly, it can go either way. Judging BIS is difficult because there is such a wide variety of dogs.

Why is there always a poodle in BIS? I feel like if you are in the non-sporting group you don't have much of a chance of being a group winner because the poodles always win. :-/

Morning everyone. Just catching up.

The GWPs were way too early here, I missed them. Thanks for the heads up Jen.

Olivia, all noted! I would NEVER get one in the city, no way. That'll be my woodsu dog if ever.

Off for coffee and back home for the Huskies.....

I'm getting butterflies in my tummy. Leonburgers!!! I want one!