How to show a Vlcak?

[saschia]

Well, Margo shows a lot, so yes, she has good results and it probably works with different judges. But I say what I prefer though I am not a judge. It would be interesting to ask judges who are specialists in wolfdogs what they prefer. Maybe Sonya will stroll here someties and will let us know ;o)

But, the question comes from Americas and of course most of the judges there (and in Europe too) have no idea what wolfdogs are supposed to look like and how they are to be presented. I expect that in normal show community, positioning of the dog in "correct posture" and using show leashes with heads held high looks better and more professional than just letting the dog show itself...

[Priska182]

Originally Posted by saschia

Well, Margo shows a lot, so yes, she has good results and it probably works with different judges. But I say what I prefer though I am not a judge. It would be interesting to ask judges who are specialists in wolfdogs what they prefer. Maybe Sonya will stroll here someties and will let us know ;o)

But, the question comes from Americas and of course most of the judges there (and in Europe too) have no idea what wolfdogs are supposed to look like and how they are to be presented. I expect that in normal show community, positioning of the dog in "correct posture" and using show leashes with heads held high looks better and more professional than just letting the dog show itself...

I really agree with you concern I'm now in "America" to (I’m in Canada) and of course the day I'll present my new dogs in show I'll be glad to let them show without a pressure of a choke chain. Probably the first dogs shown are going to make the difference... So I hope they can evolve "free" on the show ring...

[GalomyOak]

Originally Posted by saschia

But, the question comes from Americas and of course most of the judges there (and in Europe too) have no idea what wolfdogs are supposed to look like and how they are to be presented. I expect that in normal show community, positioning of the dog in "correct posture" and using show leashes with heads held high looks better and more professional than just letting the dog show itself...

Right now, our breed can only be shown for conformation in the UKC - all handling must be done by the owner, breeder, or family member of either one - professional handlers are forbidden. There are some experienced handlers - but not like in the AKC. There are many more "amateurs". (We won't be eligible to show conformation in the AKC until there are 150 dogs, from 100 different owners, in 20+ states registered - then we can apply to exit the FSS and have full AKC recognition - we can participate in all working/sport competitions through AKC right now). As you said, judges have no idea what they are looking at - and most are caught up with the history of the breed - and either love them or hate them based only on the concept of the breed. I have always tried to interpret the position of the neck from the standard - inclined to the horizontal in movement, 40 degree angle in repose (uncommon English word - this means at rest - not moving, I think). I haven't read anywhere where the head should be held "vertically" - so I avoid this. I usually let my dogs "stack" themselves naturally - 4 square, like the dog in the blue background of this website. Definitely not like a shepherd.