questions for the pros out there...most of all Renee!!! :)

headweim1

Okay, I have a puppy that I reclaimed from a bad owner and honestly had never really considered showing. However, his soon to be new family is really interested in showing him. I have two main concerns with his conformation that maybe some of you seasoned pros can answer. I think she is more interested in International than AKC and I know NOTHING about the difference in rules. He is right arount 8 1/2 months old and is around 25 1/2 inches and growing.

Problems:

1)His tail is longer than normal. Probably about 8 inches or so. I looks a little out of proportion to his body right now but I can't tell at this point whether or not he will grow into it. Is this something the judge will dock him for or is this what the AKC considers a "man-made flaw"?

2)He has a hernia that he was not born with but developed from physical exertion at around 14 wks. Is this going to be a disqualifier if it is repaired? I know that "scarring due to injury" is acceptable. Would this fall under that category since it was due to a physical "trauma" when he was younger and not a genetic defect that he was born with?

He was a little antsy when we tried to take pictures so these aren't great but I'm curious to see what you guys think on the matter. As I said before he was never really intended to be a show boy intil this person showed up so you won't hurt my feelings at all. I personally think he is rather goofy looking. The fact that he is in the throes of "the uglies" doesn't help that fact Smile

ReneeV · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject:

heading out of the office, I'll respond later tonight or tomorrow.

LucyLU · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject:

I dont know anything about showing dogs... but he is cute Smile

[/i]

DanniGirl · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject:

The tail is a fault so he would be penalized...minor fault...
It could be the picture but it looks as though he has a low-set tail...

weim2mom · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject:

how come I can't see the pictures?!? Mad

headweim1 · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:46 pm Post subject:

I thought if the fault was man-made the dog would not be penalized .?.?

headweim1 · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

His tail is set properly but he was pretty unsure about the situation and was tucking his back-end pretty badly. When he stands at alert it follows his topline and stands erect at about 2 o'clock if you were looking from his side.

DanniGirl · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject:

headweim1 · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject:

Is that for both show rings?

DanniGirl · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

Honestly, I don't know about IABCA faults...Anne or Renee would know... Wink

Regardless, he is a good-looking weim.

headweim1 · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject:

Thank you for the compliment. I have always thought he was a little silly looking but charming all the same. He was actually my husbands pick from that litter. I told my husband that he needs to quit picking favorites because every time he does, that's the one that stays around forever! He's jinxing me!

Smile

ReneeV · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:34 am Post subject:

I am still very new to showing and all I have ever done is IABCA Puppy shows so my knowlege on AKC vs IABCA is limited.

The only thing I can tell you about the difference between the AKC and IABCA rules is that in order to earn a title, AKC judges each dog against each other and IABCA judges against the standard (UCI/German).

With regard to the scar from hernia removal I believe that they all allow scars but am not positive on the exact ruling. From what I understand it has to do with field injury's. But I can't be positive.

With regard to the tail, I beleive that is considered a human fault so I dont think it is an issue.

With regard to the general look of the dog, it's hard to tell without seeing him truly stacked. I can tell right off that he is overweight. Check around the area and look for a Weim club or breeder in your area to evaluate him. Just understand that it may be hard to evaluate an overweight dog.

In the meantime, the new owner needs to get the dog on a diet and exercise plan and in conformation classes so he can learn what it's like to be in the ring, be around other dogs, be felt up by the judge and to stack. You might even meet someone at class that could evaluate him.

If you need help finding a show breeder in your area, let me know and I'll see if I can find you one.

I hope I'm helpful. Good luck

ReneeV · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:37 am Post subject:

With regard to the tail, the setting is judged, not how long it is. How long it is (or isn't) is man made. Where it's set on his butt is judged.

If you think it would help, I can scan one of Roxie's judging sheets so you can see what they are looking for.

anne · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:34 pm Post subject:

This is what an IABCA judges report looks like
http://weim.net/riley/rileyiabca.htm

I agree with Renee that he's overweight, that dimple on the side of his butt is the give away. The tail length is a man-made fault and shouldn't be penalized, however I again agree with Renee that the tailset appears low in the photos. The hernia repair wouldn't be noticed. With his current size I'd be watching for him to grow out of standard as he matures.

Otherwise it's hard to say anything further without the dog stacked properly and you can't judge conformation by photos anyway.
How's his movement?

I also agree that you should have someone familiar with show dogs evaluate him.

ReneeV · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:38 pm Post subject: