This is a link to the Westminister Show.:

http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2006/video/breed/index.html

The site has judging videos specific to each breed.  This is also best viewed with a broadband connection.  I especially enjoyed watching the handlers of the Mastiffs.  Perhaps the standards are different between Crufts and Westminister?

wow! thanks for the link! the schnauzers look weired with cropped ears!

I have seen it before, but was great looking at it again. Took me a while to check out everything I wanted ;) .... Schipperkes look like little teddybears! Major difference between US and European ones.....

Fascinating and very good quality video and I must say I was most taken with the Australian terriers.

Thank you for this!  We are still trying to decide on a breed and it's really helpful to get an idea of the size/movement/looks of the different breeds.  I will be spending many happy hours trawling through the videos - thank you.

You are all welcome. I've personally played the Rottweiler video over many times!!  Giant Schnauzer video is nice as well.

wow just watched the best in show clip so wanted the rottie he was fab but the bullie was so nice to or the pug

Ah, thank you Quirky.  I've been drooling over the Rhodesian Ridgeback judging :)  Only 3 days to go until I collect my puppy!!!!

Thanks for that! It was very interesting seeing the different handling methods 'over there'; and seeing that there are many of the same problems there as here! ;)

Two points that are interesting as well... the fact that dogs that are bred, owned and handled (showed) by the same person never wins.  I believe that it's different from here, by so many of the postings on this forum.

Also, the best in show... bull terrier, is banned in over 20 states in the US! 

the fact that dogs that are bred, owned and handled (showed) by the same person never wins.
Does anyone know why it is so? I mean what has the quality of the dog got to do with it....... and one more thing, my dog gives the best presentation if I'm handling him. He kind of never feels as relaxed and as confident if he's with someone else.

"the fact that dogs that are bred, owned and handled (showed) by the same person never wins.
Does anyone know why it is so?  I mean what has the quality of the dog got to do with it....... and one more thing, my dog gives the best presentation if I'm handling him. He kind of never feels as relaxed and as confident if he's with someone else. "

It's not so.  There is even a special class called "bred by exhibitor" in which only the dog's breeder can show the dog (although they don't necessarily have to be the owner of the dog.)

Dog showing in the U.S. is more competitive, there are a lot more shows, and the distance between shows can be huge - so if an owner really is intent on finishing their dog to its championship they may choose to use a professional handler.   By competitive I don't mean it's more difficult to get a championship on a dog, in fact, it's the reverse - it's easier because dogs do not compete against finished champions for their championship points.

The propensity to use professional handlers also depends on the breed.  I used to show Cairns and GSDs.  Cairns there are many owner handlers and breeder-handlers.  GSDs there are very few owner-handlers.  GSD showing is extremely competitive because their are such large numbers shown, so besides just the effort of running around a ring with a GSD being impossible for many owners, if you have a judge that's unsure of him or herself they are likely to feel more comfortable giving the nod to a dog handled by professionals.  I don't think it's entirely different here either - a well known handler or a well known breeder is likely to be recognized and all things being equal their dog given the benefit-of-the doubt over an unknown.

GSDs there are very few owner-handlers.  GSD showing is extremely competitive because their are such large numbers shown, so besides just the effort of running around a ring with a GSD being impossible for many owners,

There are GSDs in the USA of two distinct types The American GSDs not bred to the FCI standard(called the International type in the UK)do not attract a quarter of the entries that the "International"type do & the gaiting isn't as prolonged. The "International"type exhibitors run their shows along the German lines & have massive entries eclipsing the "American"type entries.

The dogs at the Westminster shows are exclusively "American"type & have professional handlers not because of the gaiting(which BTW is no more or less than other breeds)but because it is the fashion in the USA & owner handlers in many breeds do nothing.

BTW there may be more shows in the USA but the entries in each breed are far lower No 400 + of one breed unless they are single breed specialities !

Like the Pro handler who handled the Crufts BIS they spent every day training the dogs & something that concerned me was his statement that he "is out exercising & training the dogs regardless of temperature whether it is 20 below or 40 degrees C" !!!!!!!!! The pro handlers are also "known" to the judges of course & even in the UK some judges will put up a pro handler because thy"know"they won't handle rubbish. I saw one judge give a CC to a pro handler & without the catalogue started to complete the CC card The pro handler after judging was completed read the CC card & had to get the judge to correct the name as it was not the multi CC winning Ch he had presumed it was but a much younger dog :rolleyes: The pro handler had spotted his when given the CC but kept stum until after he got BOB !!!! I wonder why ? BTW the dog won the open class & was just into junior & was shipped abroad after the pro handler had got him his 3 CCs-the new owners would obviously pay more for a UK Champion

"The dogs at the Westminster shows are exclusively "American"type & have professional handlers not because of the gaiting(which BTW is no more or less than other breeds)but because it is the fashion in the USA & owner handlers in many breeds do nothing. "

I only know about the "American" type GSDs and showing at AKC events.  There is less gaiting at all breed shows - the breed specialty shows are different situations entirely.  The rings are much larger, the entries much higher, and gating your dog takes on marathon proportions.  In particular the American fashion is for highly angulated dogs and a huge emphasis is put on movement - so it's around and around the ring we go - with bells, whistles and all sorts of "illegal" double-handling going on outside the ring to keep the dog's interest up in such a boring and long event.

However, dog showing is more competitive in the U.S. than it is here.   Here owners/breeders are pleased when their dog wins a large class.  Many breeders go for years without having a dog that is able to finish its championship.   In the US a breeder would hang their head in shame if they went for years without finishing a champion, or two, or three - depending on how often they breed.  Any dog that does not look like it will finish after a year or two of showing as an adult disappears from competition.  Here things are much more relaxed.

Professional handling is not just a fashion.   Lots of breeders/owners that I knew would use a professional handler when they could not travel to a show.  It's not easy for everyone to drop everything and drive hundreds of miles or across half the country to compete.  And as I said, the extent and dependence on professional handling depends on the breed.

>In the US a breeder would hang their head in shame if they went for years without finishing a champion, or two, or three -

So would I if I couldn't make my dog a champion in the US ;)

haa, rofl that is so true

>In the US a breeder would hang their head in shame if they went for years without finishing a champion, or two, or three

That's because they never have to compete against champions! ;)

Exactly Jeangenie. It's a strange situation.  It's not nearly as difficult to finish a dog in the U.S. (especially for breeds with low entries) as it is in the UK.  However, the overall atmosphere is much more competitive - between the owners/breeders (not the dogs per se).

Very few dogs are "specialed" in the U.S. - which is the term used for finished champions who compete for Best of Breed and are thereby eligible for Group wins and Best in Show.  And it would be very rare indeed for any dog of this caliber not to be shown be a professional handler.

I have to say that it was a delight watching Best in Show clip! That Dalmatian was just too beautiful! I simply have to see all of it in person one day.......
I was wondering, is it possible to see Crufts clips as well? Do they exists?

This was all i could find for Crufts:

http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/crufts/Crufts2006MOVIE.htm

Thanks quirky! I'll check it out straight away...... here goes my working afternoon :rolleyes: ;) ....

That dalmatian's ear carriage looked awful - but it could have been the lead messing his head around. Shame we didn't see him moving in profile though, because front-on his stride looked very choppy - it looked as if the video was playing too fast!

Yes, I noticed the ear myself, but I think it was in fact the lead that made it look funny.... over all, I have to say he was a beauty. But it could just be that I have a soft spot for Dalmatians ;). Rottweiler was stunning as well!!

I just had to check out the boston terrier and compare them to mine, bias here but think mine would have done pretty good lol :)

I know what you mean dollface, I thought my Henry might have done ok in the Cavalier judging! :-)

Thanks quirky,

I have only seen one other dog of my breed around here and he doesn't look a particularly good example. It's been great watching the GSPs, I found myself smiling all the time I was watching :)

where are the leonbergers?

Leonbergers aren't fully recognized yet by the AKC, so they cannot compete in confirmation events.

Stacey

Thank you so much for that, I have been desperate to see some more aussies (terriers) .
Karen

just watched it again (2nd time) boy am i glad my chap beat that american champion!!!! it was, well, not good!