Did anyone read Percy Elliot's article in last weeks 'Our Dogs' ? it was accompanied by a photograph of a top winniing GSD from the 60's and pictures of the winners from this year's Sieger show. The difference was amazing - and in my opinion NOT an improvement. It got me wondering how the interpretation of the breed standard has changed in lots of breeds over the years. My own breed BSD's are now much finer with longer heads, they are cetainly more 'elegant' with beautiful expressions, but have a marked tendency to have upright shoulders, very high withers,  sloping croups and narrow fronts the males often lack the distinct mane  and it is now quite rare to see the unique Belgian movement.

How has your breed fared over the years and do you think any changes have been for the better

I'm no expert on the show side of BSDs, but one of the things you mention, the lack of mane now in the males, is one thing i find a shame. I was checking back the other week in a year book and there was an article about Vallivue Bon Chance - really gorgeous, all male dog and with a mane. I met him once and he was just beautiful with an incredible personality which just shone out of him.

I would never like the BSDs to get huge coats though like rough collies, that would not be right either!! :D

I was very impressed with some of the working GSDs i met at a recent working trials day - very nice temperaments apparently, and not in any way exaggerated. Again i'm not an expert, just know what i like ;)

Lindsay
X

Quote from book written by Holland Buckley regarding the Westie. 1911

" The watchwords of all breeders and exhibitors should be no alteration in type or character, and absolutely no trimming.  One of the great charms of the breed to the ordinary person is that the exhibits are, in the main , shown absolutely natural"

He then adds,

" Personally, when I am the adjudicator, I turn down without the slightest hesitation trimmed specimens"

Errrrrr hmmm :-)))) 

( I know this is not construction but never the less a major change)

When I showed Afghans it was a mortal sin to go near them with a pair of scissors (although thinning scissors / stripping knives were widely used but never admitted ;) ) Alot of the Afghans in the ring now are blatantly trimmed and they are shown different too, they now seem to be stacked properly with their tails held up - just like in the states :rolleyes:

Thankfully my breed (Border Terrier) remains largely unchanged, and is still capable of doing a days work.  Some trimming is evident, but compared to conformation and the original function for the breed, I think that is cosmetic.
Dawn.

Think that lots of trimming and presentation changes have come over from the States - also think that we are getting loads of breeds being moved the same - that strong 'flashy' driving from the rear and an outline that slopes from front to back.

I agree with you Lindsay - Bon Chance was a stunning dog but he'd never win now under our breed specialists - he'd be considered too heavy in the head ! His movement was text book perfect for the breed "like trotting over hot coals" - VERY rare to see this now