surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA
Aug 31, 2003, 12:11 AM
Post #7 of 35
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Re: [RealityDreamer, Hunter] UK or American Standard?
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Hi guys ... The official "standard" for a breed can differ slightly from country to country, in that different words may be used to describe the dog. Serious show people/breeders can spend hours and have heated arguments over the meaning and intent of the "words" ... and how the words are to be represented in the breed ... But in most cases the difference in the wording is only slight and does not really account for the "actual differences" we see in the same breed bred in different countries (usually between USA and the rest of the world). Whether such difference is good or bad for dog breeding is subject of much debate. The Americans have in particularly "redesigned" many breeds. In the beginning, Americans were cross breeding European breeds to develop dogs to suit their particular environment, terrain and difference in use. For example, they took the European Secent Hounds and developed a whole range of different hounds like the Coon Hound, the Tick Hound etc ... I have no gripe with this at all – after all that is how different breeds were first developed. But of late, maybe in the last 50 years … the primary reasons for changing conformation of dogs in the USA have taken a dramatic turn … In the last 50 years, the pet industry and the dog showing have become huge businesses. As more and more people show dogs professionally to earn a livelihood … (as with so many things in the USA) … the pressure to win is immense. So, where once Americans developed and redefined breeds from the “Old Country” to suit practical needs and uses. Today, most changes arise from the desire and need to win in dog shows. For example: The American version of the Ridgeback is generally finer, more tucked and with more hind angulation … why? Because increased angulation gives the dog a “lively” gait, making the dog more “action” in the show ring … the finer structure with tuck, gives a neater/smarter silhouette. As long as the Americans were “redesigning” breeds for a purpose or use, then it was okay because these “new” dogs were tested in the field, weaknesses and defects whether structural or cosmetic, showed up during their working life and were quickly eradicated … But when breeds are redesigned just to win dog shows … the danger of introducing unsoundness increases, and without chance or desire to test the dogs at real work or trial the dog - the unsoundness stays hidden … and we may (some say its already happened) end up with dogs that no longer serve the purpose for which they were originally conceived, developed and bred. For example: Many experts say the American show Golden Retriever with his thick, long and feathered coat so pretty in a ring, is no longer suited for retrieving. The coat would actually impair retrieving and be a danger to the dog. The American type of RR, with excessive angulation no longer has the stamina and strength required for a RR. So, when we say American type … we are not so much saying that the Americans have a different official standard or different breed … just that they are breeding a different “style” … Cheers ...
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