Finished CH! - Page 1

congratulations.

is that typical that the dogs are stood  in a natural position??

looks great.

Nice, congratulations.  Very handsome boy.  Are you going to special him?  Teach people about the Belgian Malinois... My friend shows Belgian Sheepdogs, also beauties, love the intelligence and all good athletes.  Have fun  and enjoy him to the fullest.  Nan

vk4gsd, yes, most of the breeds shown in the AKC conformation rings ARE shown in their natural stance...the ones that are placed in anything other than a square stance are the minority, not the majority, and generally that was started in order to exaggerate some special attribute that was of some importance in the breed standard or the breed's function. Let's be honest--when they are left to their own devices, most GSDs, if they are built correctly, WILL often stand with one rear foot placed SLIGHTLY ahead of the other...which makes sense, given that the breed is meant to be built with a height:body length ratio of 8:10, so the dog is more comfortable in that position. Standardbred horses also tend to stand this way, for a similar reason--and both animals are built that way because it is a better structure for a trotting animal than is a square build. Years ago, The breed fanciers took that natural slightly stretched stance and exaggerated it when showing the dogs to highlight the dog's H:BL ratio, as well as draw attention to the angulation of the dogs, and create a more 'imposing' picture of an ultra-alert dog surveying it's dominion.

Congrats to you, mholmes, on your boy's championship!  Care to share his breeding with us? 

Thanks for the comments.  Yes, I plan to special him.  In fact, he finished his Championship with a 5 point major on Saturday so moved the Specials on Sunday and was awareded a 5 point "Select" for his first GC points.

He is from the Alouette Kennel.  His pedigree is in the registry under Alouette's Terrapin Pride.

Huge congrats!! great job and best wishes with him!!