Scottish deerhound 'Hickory' is best in show at 2011 Westminster dog show

Fox Sports ^ | February 16, 2011 | AP

[Immerito]

A 5-year-old named Hickory pulled a huge surprise Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club, winning best in show and the title of America's top dog. She became the first of her breed to capture the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl.

[afraidfortherepublic]

It’s not fair. You and cultural canary have TWO corgis now? You should send one to me!

[nuconvert]

No need to apologize. I have a Peke & it looks nothing like that.

The Pekes at Westminster don’t even look like dogs anymore. They look like big guinea pigs or something. They look like they can barely walk. I think it’s a shame.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I don’t think a Golden has EVER won. :( I’ve never even seen them win the group! Surely with so many competing, at least ONE of them would meet breed standard.

Actually, I heard a commentator mention the hapless Golden on the 2nd day of the show. His take was that the terriers win so much because they are always looking for trouble so they have that alert, searching gaze. He said the Goldens and the Labs are more focused on the person showing them and they don’t catch the eye of the judges. His opinion, FWIW.

[nuconvert]

It was up against a gorgeous Boxer that I thought would take the group.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I just couldn’t get past the death of my last guy and I knew that no other Dobie was ever going to measure up to him.

I thought that too about the death of my 15 1/2 year old Golden, Terra. I waited 4 years and then I adopted Max from a Golden Rescue organisation. He's even BETTER than Terra was. Not at all alike, but he has qualities that I never would have dreamed a dog would have. I've had him nearly 10 years and dread the day I lose him.

[thesearethetimes...]

That my FRiend, is the German Shepherd of my youth. We had a big one in our neighborhood, (REALLY big to 5 year old me at least ; ) Beautiful animal. More than a little intimidating, but beautiful : P

So different from the current breed standard, and you have to wonder what the positives are, if the changes have so negatively impacted their lives : /

May God bless all His critters.
Tatt

[gorush]

Yup, Dagny needed a playmate. I fear that we are already too attached to Miles to consider your suggestion. :{)

[the OlLine Rebel]

Flora Berkemeyer is VERY old, whelped 1911. She was typical conformation for the *original* GS type, but unusually beautiful in coloring/marking *for her time*. She gave rise to several top GS who bore her colors and hence, became a virtual foundation dam, especially for what we *now* think of as typical GS coloring. Hence was she the "Beauty of the Breed".

As for the current dogs, yes, I'd rather have this "skinny" prototypical version than what the elites on both sides of the Atlantic pass off as "true to the intentions". There are exceptions, but I think most are accidents. I'm honestly thinking next time I will look at the much-maligned "backyard-breeder" dogs, because the elites are getting too big for their britches at the same time they put out questionable conformation, temperament and health.

This is my current GS with my little son (she is a German-based dog wracked with problems, but 1 of the very most beautiful dogs I've ever seen in conformation and color, and definitely compliant):

[the OlLine Rebel]

Never won BIS; but won the Group1 in ‘06.

[AGreatPer]

Holly buckets. Just heard that the winner gets no money.

[thesearethetimes...]

Now there is a Cutie and a beauty ; }
Thank you for the smile.

May God bless them both, as He has blessed you with them!
Tatt

[golux]

Here you go. Evidently it’s called “drag hunting.”

Thow THERE’s a challenge... Sprinting through the heather in stilettos!

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/letters/s/56949_fox_hunting_why_not_try_drag_hunting_as_an_alternative

[the OlLine Rebel]

That sounds right.

[birddog]

I’m telling ya, those old style dogs still exist. They are not AKC GSDs, but better... ;-)

My female is very close in structure to that of Flora. Moriah is a touch long bodied and a little thicker bone, but very close....

Search ISSR Shiloh Shepherds. You will be hearing more in a couple years as the rare breed gets AKC recognition. Tons of images out there....

If you want any additional info, PM me....

[the OlLine Rebel]

I’m aware of Shiloh and King Shepherds. I think they might be nice in principle, but they are way too big (GS were NOT big, ever; lithe and agile HERDING dogs). I don’t know if it’s true but the rumors are that they were outcrossed with different breeds, perhaps such as Alaskan Malamutes and such.

Personally I think the “outcasts” in so-called “White German Shepherds” often exhibit fine conformation. If only the elitists would get over their wrong-headed objection to white.

[birddog]

I don’t know if I agree with you on the size thing. The GSD has lost size and bone in the last 50 years. Maybe the german or chech working dogs still have more size than the show lines, but their temperment can sometimes be an issue. And CHD is still an issue in most lines.

Shiloh’s are all from AKC GSD and there have been 3 outcrosses in 25 years. I think the first one was a 1/4 malamute. Just that one out cross cleaned up the hips amazingly. CHD has almost been eleminated. The next one was a white german shepherd from Rin Tin Tin lines and the other was a german herding dog called an Altdeutscher Shaeferhund.

The breed founder was trying to bring size back to the dogs that she remembered growing up in Germany. The females need to be 26ins and the males 28in. She has softed the temperment so they don’t make good attack dogs, but schutzhund training is still ok for the harder dogs as long as you treat the protection part as a game.

[Hot Tabasco]

I always thought i knew a lot about dogs but must admit that I've never heard of a Scottish Deer Hound......

Good looking dog, way to go!

[Revolting cat!]

[Hot Tabasco]

Evidently what they do is give the dogs the scent of the man and they go after him.

They picked that sport up from the K-9 units here in Detroit