Page 42 - Aussie Magazine no1, 2023

Judge

MOVEMENT

We have a smooth, free and easy gait, well-
balanced with a ground-covering stride. Dogs
that move this way often appear to be “kissing
the ground,” light on their feet without pounding,
exhibiting little or no effort. Superior foot timing,
location of footfall, and balance are key when
judging our side gait. Long-time breeder Linda
Wilson of Briarbrook Kennels states, “Balance
takes forever to get and to keep.” True examples
of smooth, free, and easy are elusive.

Focusing on or giving undue attention to side
gait alone is not a correct method of assessing
breed movement. Alan McCorkle of Heatherhill
Australian Shepherds adds, “We are a breed that
is bred to move and work. When you are judging,
give equal weight to coming and going as well as
side gait. For our breed these ALL matter.”

BIS/BISS Ch. Bayshore’s Flapjack was the breed’s first number-
one rated Australian Shepherd in the American Kennel Club, an We do have examples of dogs in the breed
honor he kept for three years (1993, 1994, and 1996). ring that appear balanced in their front to rear
movement, but closer inspection of their foot fall
illustrates dogs whose feet actually meet towards
the rear of the dog or feet are actually placed
obliquely to accommodate the lack of balance.
Good foot timing and the location of where the
feet meet under the body are critical.

When judging movement, focus on the animal
that could move and work all day long. Cloddy,
cumbersome, rolling, or pounding are not words
that are associated with this lithe and agile dog.
Primarily a ranch dog bred to work sheep and cattle in the Athleticism is key. You should look for physically
western United States. Grew in popularity after WWII.
Photo by Shelly Hollen. fit dogs with good weight and muscle tone. An
overweight, flabby dog is not acceptable.

When viewed from the front and rear, the feet track
to a centre line as speed increases. The forelegs
are to be straight and perpendicular to the ground
an should move in a straight line, converging to
a centre line as speed increases. From the front,
loose or longer pasterns may give an effect of
paddling when the dog comes towards you and
are not the ideal. Our founders determined that
we are not a single tracking breed.

BIS/BISS Ch. Oprah Winfree of Heatherhill pictured As the speed of the dog increases the neck can/
winning one of the first AKC best of breed competitions will lower to the level of the topline. Lower than
for Australian Shepherds, January 1993.
the level of the topline would be considered a

42 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 1/2023