Originally Posted by
windycanyon
It's too bad the author isn't being credited. I agree w/ a lot of it, but have to say "calm" isn't exactly part of the standard either. Gentle yes, but they should be outgoing and confident too. I think some have overinterpreted that part for their own personal reasons (ie, if someone is keeping a dozen or more for show/ breeding, they can't deal w/ a bunch of outgoing dogs if all in a kennel situation esp). And as far as looks go, the show end has done their damage too. I have a lot of show friends (believe it or not, lol) who ask me what has happened to my breed. The muzzles have shortened, the backskulls widened, the legs got shorter, the bodies got deeper, etc. Pro handlers in both our breed and others have commented to me personally. I know I'm not imagining it. Now that said, I do think it's improving again, but to blame all the field folks for the non-conforming dogs, I'm not sure that is right either. That said, I'm off to a hunt test. I'll take some photos!