sandy
Full Member
Elzie vom Oak Ranch Shepherds
Posts: 64
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Post by sandy on Nov 22, 2003 17:02:58 GMT -5
Is there a trick to stacking a dog to add the impression of more front anglation? What are some of the general rules of thumb for show stacking (SV ring) to deal with various physical traits? Thanks from a newbie!
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Amaruq
Junior Member
Posts: 34
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Post by Amaruq on Nov 23, 2003 1:00:46 GMT -5
;)Dont look to me for advise. But I can post TONS of pictures of how NOT to stack a GSD! Sits back to read......
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Post by MITTELWEST on Nov 23, 2003 11:39:44 GMT -5
Some things are easier to show than to tell. This would be one of those moments. There is only one way to stack the front end of a German Shepherd though, and therefore I would say that there is no trick to improving any of your front angles. The shoulder angles, and upper arm length/angle is easy to see regardless of where you set the front feet.
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sandy
Full Member
Elzie vom Oak Ranch Shepherds
Posts: 64
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Post by sandy on Nov 23, 2003 16:51:20 GMT -5
I am still in the stage of learning the 'how not to's', I guess. A good front-end stack, like Julie's picture of Bella, has the legs straight up and down and a natural width apart, I guess? And I understand the rear back leg placement but what is the rule for the forward back leg? Thanks again!
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Post by Currmudgeon on Nov 23, 2003 19:45:26 GMT -5
I would say that there is no trick to improving any of your front angles. Particularly since the judge will also see the dog in motion.
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Post by JanisN on Nov 24, 2003 12:40:15 GMT -5
Hey Sandy! It's great to see you here!
The forward back leg is different on every dog. You don't want to have it so far forward that the dog appears to be resting the hock on the ground, but it does need to be far enough forward that you can see the angulation and give a good contrast to the extended rear leg.
The ONLY way I finally figured it out was to stack the dog over and over and have someone taking digital photos. Then I looked at the photos, picked out the best possible look I was going for, and back for more practice. At that point, I wasn't worried about ears or anything else, just getting the right body placement.
The biggest problem that I have is bridging the front. Not getting the front legs "square and even with the chest". That throws EVERYTHING off and ruins the topline completely.
Having a cooperative dog really helps. Maybe someday I'll get one.<grin>
JanisN
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Post by freundhund on Nov 25, 2003 6:51:42 GMT -5
Hi everyone To get a dog stack the best way you need a couple of things. Firstly a large mirror, secondly a couple of large photos (laminate to protect) of GSD's setup correctly, preferrably of a similar type to your dog. Place the mirror on the floor against the wall, put the photos next to the mirror so you can see them for comparison. Stand the dog opposite the mirror us the mirror to check how the dog looks in stance use the photos next to the mirror as an aid. I hope I have explained this well enough. Good Luck Regards Freundhund
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Kerry
Full Member
Posts: 177
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Post by Kerry on Nov 25, 2003 23:35:32 GMT -5
Hey, Freundhund, I never thought of a mirror. That's a great idea! I stacked Boy under a redwood tree for some more photos, and if I was a paid show handler, I would've been fired!! Thanks for the tip!
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Post by Schaeferhund on Nov 26, 2003 3:50:08 GMT -5
The biggest problem that I have is bridging the front. Not getting the front legs "square and even with the chest". That throws EVERYTHING off and ruins the topline completely. Having a cooperative dog really helps. Maybe someday I'll get one.<grin> I had a big problem with my bitch not being very cooperative when it came to front leg. She would rest on the back legs, what will make the front angled. You need the front to be a perfect 90° to the ground, with her it was more 110° ;D So I find best is to have two people helping you. One walking up and down in front of your dog (we also bring our cat, for that person to carry) to keep your dog tense and interested, one to stack and you can take pictures. At dog shows I always got good pictures, because of the dog's exitement.
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Post by JanisN on Nov 26, 2003 9:10:09 GMT -5
Stacking for photos is always a 3 person job.<grump> One to stack, one to get the "ears" and one to snap the photo.
We try to start stacking puppies at a very young age, but it doesn't seem to matter. They can stack like little dreams until they hit the six month stage and then... look out! But we just keep on trying!
JanisN
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Kerry
Full Member
Posts: 177
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Post by Kerry on Nov 26, 2003 11:01:51 GMT -5
Schaeferhund, YOUR CAT?? I'd like to see a picture or video of THAT! Do you blindfold the kitty?
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Post by Schaeferhund on Nov 26, 2003 18:22:27 GMT -5
Schaeferhund, YOUR CAT?? I'd like to see a picture or video of THAT! Do you blindfold the kitty? Yes, why??? They love each other.
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Kerry
Full Member
Posts: 177
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Post by Kerry on Nov 26, 2003 22:09:03 GMT -5
OH! Your dog and cat are FRIENDS! I get it, now!! My cat, Felix, wouldn't go for that, no way, no how!
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Post by geronimo on Nov 28, 2003 16:31:39 GMT -5
Stacking the front: (1) while holding the collar in the right hand above the neck and behind the head, grasp the dog's left elbow with your entire left hand, (2) draw the leg perpendicularly under the body (rotate slightly inward to prevent an east-west stance), (3) place the leg so that the feet land on the TOES, (4) repeat with right elbow--reverse positioning of hands.
When stacking the rear, the worse thing to do is stack the dog with the inside leg too far under the body (the American show dog can get away with this imbalance because it's pasterns are less upright). This affects static equilibrium and caused the dog to "bridge" in front to maintain and equalize its balance. While holding the dog's collar with your right hand (to keep the dog from moving), use your left hand at the left tibio-tarsal joint to lift the dog's left hind leg and place the hock perpendicular to the ground with the feet landing on the toes. Then, use you left hand from under the right hock to lift it and position the foot SLIGHTLY forward with the toes under the pelvis so that the hock is at about a 30 degree angle to the ground.
If you like, I can provide photos of a couple of dogs who would otherwise tend to stand bridged if not stacked in this manner.
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Post by gsdoglady on Nov 28, 2003 18:28:47 GMT -5
I like using the large mirrored windows at a nearby college when I teach dogs to stack. It gives me instant feedback as to what the judge would see. It also lets me determine how that individual dog looks best.
I also teach the dogs to walk themselves into a stack as they will generally set themselves up in a better stack. I start with bait, add a command and continue until they walk themselves into just the stack I want. With practice you can get the dog to move each leg individually based on your movement.
While we always use three people for good photos, I have worked with handlers who can get their dogs to walk into a perfect stack and alert on them while they are 10 ft away. Pretty nice if you can do it!
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