Hello, this is my first post, so please bear with me!

I have a 5 month old GSP puppy who is currently being prepared for showing when he turns 6 months old. I am very new to all of this (he is my first pup) and so am currently learning as much as I can (talk about steep learning curve)!

Anyway, I have a question (may be the first of many, sorry!!).

I go to ringcraft classes once a week in Bristol however seem to have come across conflicting information - When I am standing him up, one judge told me to put my hand between his legs, lift his whole back end up, and let his legs hang down, then they will be straight. Another judge told me to put them out manually.

Now, my partner picked up the other day when I was using the first method that by picking his back end up and placing him like that, it gave a "stretched out" appearance.

What are peoples opinions on this? How do you do it?

Many thanks in advance!

SLF

Either ways are used. The best way to see what you are doing is to have a long mirror placed where you can see what you are doing. Once you have learnt how to stand him nicely get someone to video you standing him, moving him and re-standing him so that you can see how you both behave.

I have shown GSP's for many years now and the majority of handlers will place both back legs out separately.

They may lift the dog under the chest to drop the front legs down straight as you want the front legs directly underneath him so he doesnt rock or lean, but lifting between the back legs - ouch your puppy boy is only going to get bigger in certain departments!!  May be ok for smaller breeds without much weight to lift but a male GSP is pretty hefty!

Thank goodness for having a free-standing breed!

>ouch your puppy boy is only going to get bigger in certain departments!!

I spread my fingers so they sit between them

Must admit I only use this method to spin his back end around if he is acting a muppet, as a rule I place his  legs (front and back) or walk him into position.

Just to add ... I make space between by fingers so his sensitive bits don't get crushed!

I think the general consensus is the place seperately - thanks!

I would prefer to place the legs separately I think, somehow seems a little more dignified for the dog than picking his bum up and plonking it down again. I can't stand the way people stack terriers on the table, lifting the whole dog by collar and tail! :-(

I also exhibit GSP's and always place hind legs one at a time, making sure the feet are placed at same width as hips and hock to pad should create a straight / vertical line to floor. 

K

I never lift back ends like that on large breeds....... its my pet hate, only thing worse is to see people lifting them up under their tummies grr :( :(
I do it sometimes with the terrier, but never ever with the big ones.

Agree.... never lift a larger breed

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate you taking the time to give your opinions.

I think I now have the general consensus - to move his feet individually.

Thanks again!

We stand ours infront of the patio windows and then we can see what their shape is like. Fortunatley we have a free standing breed but it still helps as the view from the handler is very different to the view you have looking at the dog. Hope this helps :-)