FREE STACKING
by Dorothy Kendall (Orlane-Elan Yorkshire Terriers)
What’s the big deal about whether or not to free stack your dog in the
show ring … isn’t this about choosing the best breeding stock at the
shows?
Yes, it is a dog “show” and we want our dogs to look good, but
why carry this into realms of the absurd?
I like
to see dogs sparring, but it’s difficult to get Salukis to spar, right?
How about Bulldogs? Now Terriers do this without thinking, and look
great doing it … that’s a good thing. Even some Toys will spar, or look
at each other with animation.
But some breeds, like Afghans, don't
spar and rarely free stack; they do however look good in a stack or
moving.
Le’s
judge dogs on an individual basis – Shelties are free stacked, and look
good when standing waiting for the bait. However, let’s not feed the dog
in the ring, but use the bait to get their attention!
If a judge can
only make a decision based on which dog stands still the longest,
why are we working so hard to breed better animals? Does this mean that
the whole lineup is so good (or so bad) that this might be the only
deciding factor? Cut me a break!
I love
to watch dogs being shown naturally – standing on their own, not being
propped up, held together, and pushed and pulled into some unnatural
pose. As I get older, it’s also easier to stand with my dogs, instead of
kneeling – but you have to have a pretty good dog to do this!
I guess
that’s the idea of showing, though – taking in a dog that looks good
without a lot of extra handling. So stop worrying about free stacking –
unless of course, you plan to win the group at the Garden!
http://www.thedogplace.org/ShowDog/Free-Stacking.asp
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