WITH VICKI ABBOTT, JUDY HARRINGTON, DOUG JOHNSON, WENDY MAISEY,
weiцaraneӗ Q&A
SHAROL CANDACE WAY, DR. MICHAEL WOODS & GALE YOUNG
“IN MY OPINION I BELIEVE THAT THERE CAN BE AN EXAGGERATION IN REAR ANGULATION.”
CW: Good layback and resulting prosternum, level backline, proper tail carriage and well muscled. MW: When I first started judging Weimaraners, a friend in Weimaraners brought me to talk with the iconic Judy Colan. What really stuck with me from that occasion was the emphasis this great breeder put on efficient, effort- less movement and the correct silhouette which indicates the balance and structure needed to fulfill the breed’s function. For me, movement and silhouette are two of the most essential characteristics of the breed. If the movement is correct, the structure is correct. If the sil- houette is correct, the exhibit has the proper head shape in profile; the long, deep rib cage; the strong, slightly sloping topline and short loin; the proper angles front and rear; the lovely graceful underline which helps add aristocracy to the breed. I haven’t mentioned color, since that is an obvious given with this breed, as is the need for the breed to be shown in good condition. GY: The dog must stand well over himself, meaning that since the “shoulders are well laid back” and the “chest is well developed” there should be a good length of neck, an equal return of upper arm to match the well laid back shoulder and a prosternum that extends past the point of shoulder. Hold correct outline on the go around (rect- angular shape, level top line, no low tail set or high tail carriage). There should be a lovely head with good width of back-skull (room to have eyes “set well enough apart”), level planes and strong under jaw. 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? VA: Most of what I see are not really exaggerations. One of the consistent problems that is becoming evident are fronts that are set too far forward so that there is no keel evident on the front of the dog. This breed requires a prosternum for function and a correct outline. Correct silhouette goes to type (not a Vizsla or a German Short- haired Pointer in outline) and some dogs are trending towards the incorrect balance for the breed. Heads can sometimes appear coarse with glaring eyes, or have short
and snipy muzzles, which does not lend towards the desired aristocratic head with a kind and keen expression that is so pretty on a Weimaraner. JH: In my opinion I believe that there can be an exaggeration in rear angulation. That seems to be the most prevalent. DJ: Topline, tails and over angulations. Well-angulated doesn’t mean over angulated. Also, unlike a lot of breeds, many in this breed are not enough dog—in both sub- stance and bone—to satisfy me for the correct type. WM: I see loins that are just far too long. Although this is not a square breed, this spoils the look as it is often with too much tuck up. As a working dog, this would be an unac- ceptable area of weakness. CW: Even though the standard reads “well-angulated stifles” some are just too angulated resulting in poor balance between front and rear. MW: The Weimaraner is a breed that can lend itself to exag- geration: the horrible ‘pigeon’ fronts that are a caricature of the breed; over angulated rears that do not balance the front and destroy movement; toplines that resemble ski slopes and are far from ‘slight’. Weak, weedy bitches and gross overdone dogs are also seen, neither creates ‘a picture of grace’ that captures the essence of the breed. GY: I am seeing a plethora of dogs that look good standing, but because of their lack of both balance and correct front assembly, when in motion, they have four legs going in four different directions and they are high in the rear instead of having level toplines. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? VA: Overall, I believe the breed has been maintained by ded- icated breeders that are keeping the correct aristocratic type and ground covering movement needed. I am seeing a lot of new people entering the conformation ring based on their desire to have a true working dog in the field, so they decided to also give them a try in conformation. Yet, in speaking with them, they have no experience in why
“THERE SHOULD BE A LOVELY HEAD WITH GOOD WIDTH OF BACK-SKULL...”
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