Page 14 - LeMagSpring2015
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Structure by George Ward
& Movement in Dogs
The following is a letter that the late noted pro- When you see fronts flopping around or flipping feet
fessional handler, George Ward wrote to the old Caniine or elbows and no reach in front, they are not made
Chronicle (yes, the newspaper style one) in response to an right--when you see rear legs moving cow-hocked
article he disagreed with. or criss-crossing or moving up underneath the dog
and no rear driving action, they are not made right
George Ward was best known as a talented Terri- behind.
er Handler who was well versed in the sport of dogs, from
upkeep through showing, breeding and just plain vast dog Whether they are Hounds, Toys or what have you,
knowledge. He had what is commonly referred to as an ex- they have a desired gait for their breed and if they
cellent ‘eye for a dog’. George was one of those quintessential don’t have the freedom and proper action they are
dog men, as was handler/later on judge, Ric Chaschoudian constructed wrong.
who is referenced in the letter.
I have to answer the article written by Andrew Brace Look what just pretty and elegant is getting us:
in one of your recent issues which sounded to me Upright shoulders which encourages and
like a rebuff to Ric Chaschoudian’s references to
movement, which were also published in one of your makes for short necks which turns to bad toplines
earlier issues. and long backs, no forechest--that’s just the front
assembly.
I have been in this business all my life and have
been seriously showing dogs since I got my first best Then the experts called for moderate angulation of
in show 60 years ago. hind legs which is turning into ‘more and more is
better’, which makes them so over angulated they
I have had the pleasure of knowing and listening to can’t walk properly in a straight line--the upright front
some of the great dog men from all over the world-- assembly can’t get out of the way of the over angu-
to name a few--Walter Reveres--George Thomas-- lated rear legs reaching way up underneath them--for
Charles Hopton--Phil Prentice--Ben Brown--Percy example; Mini Schnauzers--Am.Cockers--German
Roberts--my own father and grandfather--Tom Car- Shepherds--Irish setters and more.
ruthers--George Hartman--Joe Braddon.
Let’s go back to the basics of balance and movement
as written by the old experts and forget all this exag-
eration before it’s too late---or is it already?
The consensus of opinion from these and many more
of the greats was:
Type and balance are of great importance Le Mag thanks Regina Keither for locating this piece by Mr
--Size should be kept in line with the standards-- Ward, to share his knowledge with ASBC members and
coats and condition should be a factor--showmanship readers.
is of some importance--but the real test is movement
--never did one see a poor mover that was construct-
ed properly.
12 ASBC
