(My little skinny undersized and long-nosed Lab couldn't get anywhere in conformation in any event . . . I mean, just look at her!)
(My little skinny undersized and long-nosed Lab couldn't get anywhere in conformation in any event . . . I mean, just look at her!)
Beautiful !
She looks like a lab to me. I personally don't care for the sausage on legs look of the conformation labs, but that's just me (and one reason I don't have labs--the other being I'm too lazy!)
I have done field work/conformation/obedience with the same dog. I believe in multi purpose dogs. I have issues with the show world, however I probably have issues with all competetive venues as well. I breed what I like and as I interpret the standard. And of course, I attempt to breed only healthy dogs (sometimes that's not as easy as it sounds as some problems don't turn up until the dog is older).
But, I do put the blame on the breeders. On the other hand, I think it's not such a bad thing to have diversity between the gene pools as it gives some place to go bring in traits (or even health) that you lose.
I had a friend in goldens whose first show dog was by a conformation champion and out of a field bitch. He not only went on the finish his CH and become a BIS winner he also was a CDX, JH and outstanding sire. Not bad. I think it's important. I also don't think that only conformation champions should be bred.
susie