Size for the showring

[chris nanney]

Just curious if anyone knows if size is rewarded (seemingly) in the showring as far as Newfs? In some breeds, it seems that heavier specimens are rewarded. Generally, I'm referring to Labs and Rotts, with some owners feeling the need to add weight to their dogs for the ring.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Adding weight to a newf, whether in the ring or not, is not a good idea. Outside of the negative health aspects, a judge will feel for the ribs if the entry if it looks overweight to see if it is, or just has a lot of coat.

 

[Windancer]

I have certainly seen size in general rewarded above other things like structure and soundness. The 'Huge' newf, expecially at a young age, will tip the scale of judging.
I am not talking fat here, just tall and heavy boned. J

 

[Liisa]

Off topic as it relates to newfs... but size is most definitely a factor in judging Tibetan Mastiffs - to a fault. Structure, head type and temperament should also be weighted heavily to get an overall true representation of the breed. Unfortunately, often the largest (in terms of skeletal size, not girth) takes the win. Very sad for a breed that is new to AKC and trying to establish an agreed upon conformation.

Sorry for the interruption. Back to our regularly scheduled program!

 

[Lisa@Caeles Hills]

My dog is only 120# and 28 inches at the shoulder so is not a huge Newf. He has beautiful movement and is in excellant physical shape, and he finished his Championship with 3 majors and some of those wins against much bigger dogs. It depends upon the judge and what they view in thier mind as the ideal Newf I imagine.

 

[Ginny]

Depends on the judge...

Standard:
Large size is desirable, but never at the expense of balance, structure, and correct gait.

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

Many of judges don't know the standard like they should, so they don't know what the standard says. A friend of mine had a judge tell her that her bitch was too small otherwise she wonderful. The bitch measures 26 at the withers and weights a little over a 100 pounds - the average height & weight for a bitch as stated in the NCA standard.

They think bigger is better. They need to look at the whole dog -Type, Structure, movement, proportion. Size does need to be considered but certainly not at the expense of these other qualities

 

[Ohana Mom]

I would have to agree with the above. I do think there is a HUGE (no pun intended) difference between what happens in the classes vs. with the specials. We don't see the size issue come in to play as much with the class dogs & bitches as we do among the specials. As classes, I think often the judge is looking to see what foundation is already there to judge what the dog will turn into. Not saying that's right or wrong - but I think part of their thought process in judging young dogs. We've seen puppies go over older open dogs many times...
But with the specials - it's a whole different ballgame. I have seen LARGE specials that couldn't move awarded breed. Size absolutely matters in the breed ring. It should NOT be the deciding factor - but sadly with some judges - bigger is better.
For me - Give me a Newf that can move any day of the week.

 

[charityd]

I don't think size should be the deciding factor, but it sounds like it often is.

 

[blstarke]

Remember, the Newfoundland is a giant breed

 

[Ohana Mom]

Giant Breed yes - but again - as our standard reads:
Standard:
Large size is desirable, but never at the expense of balance, structure, and correct gait.

 

[lenovo]

Unfortunately that is what we are seeing in the ring more than not and it isn't just with newfs. A lot of breeds are being destroyed by breeding to the high end and OVER in size, and medical issues are coming forth because of it. Some almost look deformed, it is awful what they are doing to the GSD'S a beautiful dog that now walks on it's forearm in the hind end.

 

[Windancer]

I raised GSD's at one time. I could not STAND what they were doing to the breed. They look crippled to me..Those dogs can't work. If you look at the 'German' dogs, they are much different..J

 

[blstarke]

Julie, I raised Shepherds as well and one of the reasons for me leaving the breed was the rear end angulations. Temperament also is being destroyed

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

What is the purpose of this new rear angulation in the shepards? It looks odd to me too and wondered why breeders went in this direction.

 

[Windancer]

It is just one of those show trends that got worse, and worse, and worse. I remember once in the QH world, they wanted the horses heads to be down...they got lower, and lower, and lower till they were called peanut pushers..It was horrible. The association had to ban it. and you are right about the temperament too, Judy..

 

[Windancer]

Judy..also, have you noticed how small the bone is getting.? I watched some at a show a while back. I thought they all looked crippled...seriously

 

[blstarke]

Yes, the bone can't support the weight