Page 108 - Aussie Magazine - 2024 Issue 3
P. 108
Informative
THE REASON WHY
Breeds
Change
Text written by: Andrew H. Brace, Adapted for Australian Shepherds by: Paula McDermid
How do changes come about? invariably that “something”
They begin with the breeder tends to be an exaggeration
who produces a litter that gets of some kind or another... too
“I wonder how often we— to an age where the puppies long a neck, too short a back,
as breeders, exhibitors or need to be evaluated. The too refined or overtyped a head,
judges—stop to consider how breeder who fully understands excessive rear angulation …
easily we become accustomed his breed is looking at and here is where the danger
to changes within a breed?” every puppy in terms of the lies. The totally steeped-in-
In some cases these changes Breed Standard and what is the-breed breeder will see this
can actually become so correct for the breed. In most exaggeration for what it is and
engrained in a breed that they breeds “moderation” is a will discard the guilty puppy
are elevated to the level of requirement that is desirable as being alien to correct type.
desired characteristics, even in many aspects, and it is the Many others, possibly less
though they might be quite consistency of moderation experienced and less committed
alien to typical and necessary, throughout any animal that to THE BREED, however, will be
and actually at odds to the will contribute significantly to realistic enough to acknowledge
relevant Breed Standard. It its balance, and the impression that the exaggeration, which
is generally the case that that everything fits and flows. is constantly catching his eye,
such changes begin with will also catch the eye of the
dogs shown by well-known However, occasionally there judge when the dog hits the
exhibitors or handlers, as these will be a puppy who has show ring. And so the puppy
so often set the benchmark something about it that is kept, nurtured, schooled and
that others gladly follow. always catches the eye, and groomed.
108 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 3/2024
