Re: Pupdate - four weeks just flew by


"Rocky" <2dogs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Fri96C0C518FE991australianshepherdca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> I was measuring-in a Sheltie. Handlers know when things are
> going against them when the measuring device goes away and the
> wickets come out - this handler was very adamant that her dog
> *couldn't* be over 16" because he's a conformation Sheltie.

LOL. And of course, all Shelties are shown naturally, with no chalk or
scissoring to improve head planes, and they all have perfect temperaments
and no genetic problems. Sigh...

>
> Normally, I'm pretty forgiving as a judge and favour the dog
> when it comes to the inaccuracies inherent with close
> measurements, but, when the 16" wicket rocks, that dog is over
> 16". In that case the dog's height didn't go onto his permanent
> height card because he wasn't yet 2 years old. For whatever
> reason, that dog measured under 16" by the time he was 2.

It *is* possible for a dog to measure over 16" and actually be under 16" but
it isn't likely. Some dogs do measure higher, usually due to nervousness at
being measured, than they actually stand when relaxed. Several people
suggested I make sure Wylie was given a good run before measuring, so he'd
be tired and more likely to relax his shoulders and measure in (which he
did, barely, at 18".) And some dogs do settle with more layback in their
shoulder when they are fully mature, usually at 3 or so.
But more often than not, its just an oversized Sheltie.

Christy


.