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>One thing is certain. You and I both love dogs. :)<

Here here.

It’s frustrating to read this thread, because of course there are problems. Are we seeing problems because the gene pools of even popular breeds are declining due to the “popular sire” syndrome? Could gene pools be shrinking because we no longer have the luxury of keeping large numbers of dogs, like the large show kennel owners of the last century did? Are we simply seeing the effects of too much vaccination or pollution in dog food?

That said, painting an entire group of people who have essentially devoted their lives to their love of dog-oriented sports is a bit excessive in my view (and I’m not singling you out, Sal).

I have nothing against dog shows, per se.

What I despise is the rush to "restyle" a breed to please a judge or fit in with the current fashion.

Pictures are worth a thousand words:

The immortal Dictator

Illena and The Seven Sires

[acknowledged as the driving forces behind the American Dobes]

THE perfect Dobermann as detmined by the originators of the breed.

The dog is German mathematical perfection and *any* deviation by degree was faulted.

My European brat, for comparison.

the current "in style Dobermann"

[has 53 champions in 5 generations; on paper, that's impressive as hell...but....ugh!]

But there are rays of hope. This breeder in AL is spot on and apparently determined to "bring back" the breed he loves.

When they first put the -breed- ring videos on the WKC site, I was overjoyed.

Then, I watched the judging. Within minutes, I had my BOB/BOS/RC picks.

I was thrilled when the judge picked those exact 3 dogs out of the line....but then he DISMISSED them!

Instead of those 4-square and firm, flawless examples of the breed, he chose 2 dogs who were so over-angulated they actually crabbed at the trot.

The other dog had no visible withers and was sway backed.

WTH?!?

I haven't watched the ring videos or the show, since.

It tears my heart out that "my breed" has been watered down, stretched out, over done and "glamorized" for the sake of ribbons, at the expense of health.

[Solid, square Dobes -rarely- get "Wobblers" or *either* dysplasia]

I am angry, disappointed and outraged at those people involved who have colluded to create the genetic train wreck we have today.

This incomparable breed deserved better than that.

And there are other breeders like the last one above but they never 'win shows'.

Not only that, having 'gone rogue' from the show circuit, they're generally considered "backyard breeders" and crucified by the 'breed elites'.

I suppose they get the last laugh when their dogs live to be 12-14 with regularity.

I will hop off my soapbox, now.

Darnright, check your FReepmail.