The show dogs that impressed you the most

[Inga]

Alright so, I know that there are all kinds of thread like "what is your favorite breed" and those are fun but I am curious as to which "show dog" breed you are most impressed with. Not that you might want to own one but that you find just sort of jaw dropping beautiful or amazingly powerful or Wonderfully cute?

I have gone to many dog shows but one vision sticks in my head. It was an Alaskan Malamute all groomed and heading for the breed ring. The dog and it's handler were walking down a hallway that was sort of dark and it came to the end of the hall into the arena area where the sun was shining in and that dog was just amazing. I would not want to own an Alaskan Malamute again (had one as a kid for a short time) but it was just beautiful and I stood in awe. Below is a picture of an Alaskan Malamute. NOT the dog I saw and not quite as impressive in my opinion but still a handsome dog and...you get the idea.

I have also always been impressed with the Bull Mastiffs. They are so strong and still athletic looking. I love the smooch-ability of the breed. Here is a boy I fell completely in love with at a show.

Great Danes are another breed that I would probably never own. They are just too big for me. I love them though and am always impressed by them. They are such great dogs.

Giant Schnauzers have always been one of my favorite breeds as well. I love to watch them in the ring. I think they are very impressive dogs.

more...

 

[Inga]

Of course the Doberman Pinschers too. They are so strong and yet elegant. They are a dog that has so much grace and class and yet can be imposing. I just love them.

I would feel if I were lying if I didn't add Rottweiler's to my list. I have owned this Nobel breed for over 30 years now and worked with over 100 of them. I am still in awe of their great strength of character and body. I think they are a most impressive breed. Certain Rottweiler's have impressed me more then others over the years. These 2 stud dogs were my all time favorites so far.
First one was Amboss He just made me all the more intersted in the breed.

The second one was Carter's Nobel Shaka Zulu. He actually made me get a dog from a breeder because he impressed me so much.

So, what are the breeds that most impress you in the show ring?

 

[Fran101]

papillons! they are always so bouncy and HAPPY to be in the ring! and their flowy coats and big ears make it seem like they are kind of flying! lol

and im very partial to tris! lol

 

[SmexyPibble]

Great Danes have always impressed me in the ring. Beautiful dogs.

Bullmastiffs are also impressive to see in the show ring.

American Pit Bull Terriers - I absolutly LOVE seeing these dogs in the show ring.

Greyhounds - As seldom as you see it, I love seeing these guys fly around the ring all graceful and such.

Neapolitan Mastiff - I absolutly LOVE seeing these guys pound across the ring. They're really interesting to watch!

Afghan Hound - I actually don't like the breed at all, but they're amazing to see at shows.

Boxer - They're so cool to see inside and outside the ring.

 

[Laurelin]

This one!

I may be *slightly* biased though.

I just now realized how much ear fringe he's lost recently. I blame Nard.

 

[SmexyPibble]

Two more.

Rottweilers - I saw two that really impressed me in the ring last show I was at; they are so powerful. They just thunder around the ring.

Dobermans - I've never been a huge fan of the breed but they are gorgeous to see showing.

 

[Laurelin]

Okay, less biased. A dog that impressed me in pics and live is Cando. I was so stoked that Beau and Cando were right next to each other when Beau finished.

Cando is my favorite pap ever type wise. Just stunning.

Joonas is another stunner who I've seen. He's the top phalene ever in the US and certainly the prettiest I've seen. He really made me want one, and I will have a Phalene one day:

Only slightly less biased of course.

As far as general breeds other than paps, I tend to love the look of dobes and beezers the most. The GSPs and weims are also very impressive. Basically I love the shorthaired, sleek dogs in the ring. Don't know why.

 

[Laurelin]

Dobermans - I've never been a huge fan of the breed but they are gorgeous to see showing.

Agador was a favorite dog too.

 

[Pops2]

haven't seen a showdog yet that impresses me. i am a firm believer in pretty is as pretty does. you want to see grace, watch a coursing sighthound turning a fox or closing w/ one for the catch. want to see power, watch an exceptinal bulldog slam into a hog or range bull teeth first and pin it to the ground by its head. want to see agility, watch a good heeler or collie catch turn & bring breaking steers back into the herd. want to see endurance, watch a couple of deep bottomed hounds run a coyote or bob for 6 or 10 miles at a near sprint and still fight the leash like heck as you drag them away.
nope show dogs don't do much for me.

 

[adojrts]

I too am not into the conformation ring, although I have been in them. I also believe that you also need to know conformation and know it well but not as it pertains to the show ring, but for working/performance/sport dogs.

So the short answer is none, those dogs are too over weight and too flabby.

The only dogs that have impressed me are the ones that are proven hard core working dogs FIRST and then if they do well in the conformation ring, they have my respect.

 

[Laurelin]

Perhaps living with a show dog has jaded me, but I find him to not be lacking in any kind of beauty. My breed is a companion breed and he is superb at that and is capable at obedience and agility or whatever else you throw at him. I've honestly never had a better all around dog. He's amazing and everything he should be. Having a show title doesn't change any of that.

Of course, I am still biased.

ETA: I realize that there are issue in many breeds due to showing. Just throwing in my 2 cents about my own show dog.

 

[Renee750il]

The one dog who stands out was an Irish Wolfhound I saw when I was watching Westminster a few years ago. He prowled around the ring and had the true predator's eye -- you rarely see that anymore in dogs in the ring. He looked like he still had the genes of his long ago ancestors.

And there was a Bloodhound who took Best in Group back in 2005 who was impressive.

 

[MicksMom]

I've been to a few dog shows over the years. Out of all the dogs I've seen, the Newfoundland Darbydale's All Rise Pouchcove (aka Josh) took my breath away when I saw him at a local show almost a year and half before he won Westminster.

 

[Inga]

I've been to a few dog shows over the years. Out of all the dogs I've seen, the Newfoundland Darbydale's All Rise Pouchcove (aka Josh) took my breath away when I saw him at a local show almost a year and half before he won Westminster.

See, now that is what I am talking about. Seeing that "quality" in a dog at a show. I have had moments like that with dog breeds I have never really been interested in. All of a sudden you look and WAM! there it is. Drop dead gorgeous dog that just makes you think wow!

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

The second one was Carter's Nobel Shaka Zulu. He actually made me get a dog from a breeder because he impressed me so much.

So, what are the breeds that most impress you in the show ring?

Did you see him in person, Inga? I was fortunate enough to see this dog in the ring several times. He was practically unbeatable outdoors on grass. Without a doubt the most balanced fluid efficient powerful effortless moving dog I have ever seen. He raised goosebumps on me several different times watching him move. IMO he is one of the finest overall specimen ever.

 

[MicksMom]

...He raised goosebumps on me several different times watching him move...

That was my reaction when I saw Josh, and that was from across the ring. Then he brought tears to my eyes when he moved. I had the same reaction when I saw Carter's Nobel Shaka Zulu. Unfortunately, it was only on television. I would love to have been able to see him in person.

 

[Hillside]

When I saw Carly, the GSP, freestack right before her Westminster win, it literally raised the hair on the back of my neck, and I am NOT a GSP person.

 

[Romy]

The best dog I ever saw at a show was a scottish deerhound puppy. Her handler tried to gait her around the ring, and she got up on her back legs, tucked her arms up like a boxing kangaroo and started hopping. She hopped on her hind legs the entire way around the ring, her front end didn't touch the ground once, and she was about a foot taller than her handler.

Then she went to group because she was the only deerhound entered. She pulled the exact same stunt, except that she discovered it was a lot of fun to body slam her handler with each hop. :rofl1:

I have never seen anything that made me laugh/cry so hard. I wish we had a video camera with us.

I really like this dog though, he has a commanding presence. And one of the best temperaments I have seen in a borzoi.

And then his brother, who is equally amazing. I'd love to see these guys actually doing what borzois were made for. They are far and above superior to a lot of cowering, timid, roachbacked, slab sided dogs I see at shows.

 

[Romy]

Perhaps living with a show dog has jaded me, but I find him to not be lacking in any kind of beauty. My breed is a companion breed and he is superb at that and is capable at obedience and agility or whatever else you throw at him. I've honestly never had a better all around dog. He's amazing and everything he should be. Having a show title doesn't change any of that.

Okay, as I was reading that, the image of a pack of papillons body slamming a wild hog popped into my head. :rofl1:

 

[Beanie]

I also am a big Beau fan over here. =D I blame all my papillon love squarely on Beau. There's just something about him... he's a very handsome little devil.


I've posted before about how much of a fan I am of Auggie's dad. He's a great all-around dog so that definitely helps, but yeah... there's a very good reason why I picked my breeder, and it has to do with Auggie's family.

A few years ago I was watching one of the big dog shows on TV, and when I saw the akita trot out I called the group right then and there (and the judge did pick the akita.) That was an AMAZING dog. Wished I remembered it's name.