Lurcher Shows And Castration

[columbusrat]

A bit of a newbie question - can castrated/spayed lurchers be shown in lurcher shows? And if not, why not? I imagine they are judged largely on their capacity to work and presumably a neutered dog is just as capable of working as an entire one.

This is really just curiosity as if I do show Jasper it will just be part of a 'good day out' but he will almost definitely be castrated.

Also, what do judges look for in lurchers? I wouldn't know how to start assessing whether Jasper had what it takes, or if there was something wrong with the way his ears sit, his tail carriage, etc. I just know he's gorgeous :thumbsup:

 

[Dar Khan]

Its a very good question :thumbsup:

 

[whippetmad]

Hi....I can,t see why a spayed/castrated lurcher can't be shown,theres no rules about this.There might be some judges that prefer to see a male entire :wacko:

i like to see in a lurcher with a long tapering head flat skulled and snake like but no sign of weakness,long strong muzzle,good shoulder placement,shoulder blades not too narrow,straight forelegs,muscular on the outside,strong well formed compact feet,gracefully longbut strong muscled neck,long coupled to permit free stride but balanced,well spaced ribs,well set ribs with plenty of heart room,deep brisket,etended rump falling away,strong loins,muscled thighs,well let down hocks,good lenght with good angualation,alert keen eyes...hope this helps :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[mao]

A bit of a newbie question - can castrated/spayed lurchers be shown in lurcher shows? And if not, why not? I imagine they are judged largely on their capacity to work and presumably a neutered dog is just as capable of working as an entire one.
This is really just curiosity as if I do show Jasper it will just be part of a 'good day out' but he will almost definitely be castrated.

Also, what do judges look for in lurchers? I wouldn't know how to start assessing whether Jasper had what it takes, or if there was something wrong with the way his ears sit, his tail carriage, etc. I just know he's gorgeous :thumbsup:

Castrated dogs can be shown, it's down to the judge on the day's personal preference.

This is going to sound a bit vague but again different judges look for different things, I would just enter him in, don't forget no matter what happens you always take the best dog home with you :thumbsup:

 

[columbusrat]

Thank you!

Of course at the moment as long as the shoulders are somewhere above the front legs I wouldn't know how to tell good shoulder placement from bad, but it really doesn't matter - as you say, I'll always take the best dog home.

 

[gabbitas31]

Just enjoy your pup he's lovely, :thumbsup: winner or looser, just love him and don't get too carried away with the showing, if he's no good at that there's always something he will excel at. :thumbsup: di

 

[billyboy45]

Dont think the working part,comes into very many shows now.Exept those shows that hold a seperate working class.Along with Lamping,and hare classes.Over here,we also have a fox dog class.Where the obvious sign's of working fox,will be in abundance.If the said dog or bitch,is doing what the owner says it is.There's an old saying about a good hard dog.HE'S GOT BALL'S,if you exuse the language.Well,ive seen good hard dogs,with nothing between their hind legs.But as far as work went.They still had them,for me.Even they were'nt present.So go ahead into whatever class you want to enter him in.He might not be entire.But her could have more ball's than anything else in the ring,if given the chance.Hope my language has'nt offended anyone here.s offence wasnt intended.Just an expression of the truth. Just to add to that pretty perfect list of what should be what.Id like to add,that i prefer a nice pair of well laid back pasterns.Not too straight,n not too angled.Also like a wrist that flex's right back,till the foot touches the back of the wrist,without the need to force it back,that last inch or 2.Just my preference.But ive noticed through the years,that dogs ive had,with this problem.Injured their wrists more.Especialy when jumping.Tail length,dont realy bother me.As ive seen short tailed dogs,turn on a sixpence,and long tailed ones,that needed an extra field,or summit.Teeth,are usualy the 1st thing i look at.They should be in good clean nik. Enjoy youre summer shows with him. ...Billy...

 

[Happy Humber]

Just one more thing Billy what about feet, ie good thick pads and well sprung toes ?

Someone once asked a top whippet breeder standing next to me what was the first thing she looked at when judging Whippets and her answer was their feet.

This lady is long gone but bred three crufts best of breed winners. I wonder how many of todays whippet judges would even notice bad feet.

 

[Little Brown Dog]

Everyone says showing a castrated dog should make no difference, but from experience I would say that unfortunately it does.

I have a castrated lurcher and I know I always take the best dog home with me even if I don't go home with a rosette or cup - just enjoy him.

Also, I was recently told the following describes a good old fashioned lurcher:

Headed like a snake

Necked like a drake

Backed like a beam

Sided like a bream

Footed like a cat

Tailed like a rat

Good luck

 

[pat cope]

If it doesn't make a difference if a dog is entire or not, why do judges feel their 'bits' . I have had comments like 'nice dog, what a shame'

If you want to show your dog I would think it over carefully. Once they are off you can't put them back on.

 

[moretoniacarol@tiscali.co.uk]

As a lurcher judge for 25 years i would not penalise a dog that is castrated i sometimes show one for a friend and have had the same comments oh what a shame, this dog is super fit and works very well. I think there is more likely to be a problem with dogs with only one testicle as this can cause a health issue and they should not be bred from as this is an hereditory defect. Often dogs that have come from rescue centres are castrated and make good workers and pets, also having your dog castrated for your own preference ie you keep bitches or you dont want to breed should not make a difference in the show ring. This is just my opinion

 

[pat cope]

As a lurcher judge for 25 years i would not penalise a dog that is castrated i sometimes show one for a friend and have had the same comments oh what a shame, this dog is super fit and works very well. I think there is more likely to be a problem with dogs with only one testicle as this can cause a health issue and they should not be bred from as this is an hereditory defect. Often dogs that have come from rescue centres are castrated and make good workers and pets, also having your dog castrated for your own preference ie you keep bitches or you dont want to breed should not make a difference in the show ring. This is just my opinion

Well said. Pity there are not more like you. Has anyone had a castrated dog win at a qualifying show ?

 

[wild whippies]

Everyone says showing a castrated dog should make no difference, but from experience I would say that unfortunately it does.
I have a castrated lurcher and I know I always take the best dog home with me even if I don't go home with a rosette or cup - just enjoy him.

Also, I was recently told the following describes a good old fashioned lurcher:

Headed like a snake

Necked like a drake

Backed like a beam

Sided like a bream

Footed like a cat

Tailed like a rat

Good luck

From The Boke of Saint Albans

This rhyme is attributed to Dame Juliana Berners, the abbess of Sopewell Nunnery and was written in 1486. It gives a description of the greyhound which is perhaps the most concise statement of the fundamental essentials of the breed throughout history.

A Greyhound shold be

heeded lyke a snake

And neckyd lyke a drake,

Backed lyke a beam,

Syded lyke a bream,

Footed lyke a catte,

Taylld lyke a ratte.

It was referring to the Greyhound and whilst the description would suit some lurchers, it must be noted that these dogs are bred and used for various disciplines and as such their appearance is varied. However if one wanted a dog to run like a greyhound then it would make sense to breed a dog that looks like one.

Whilst I don't participate in lurcher racing I do feel some sympathy to those working lurchers that never really get the chance to shine at shows because the racing suits dogs bred for speed alone. As an owner of non-ped racers and a greyhound I know that speed comes at a cost, that being injuries and I like to think that lurchers are a different discipline where hardiness, stamina and intelligence are their attributes but alas racing doesn't really highlight this.

As for testicles well if judges are going to mark down neutered dogs then show classes should be seperated and judged accordingly.

 

[billyboy45]

Just one more thing Billy what about feet, ie good thick pads and well sprung toes ?
Someone once asked a top whippet breeder standing next to me what was the first thing she looked at when judging Whippets and her answer was their feet.

This lady is long gone but bred three crufts best of breed winners. I wonder how many of todays whippet judges would even notice bad feet.

Didnt mention feet.As they've already been mentioned,inthe other post.Was just adding my penny's worth.To what was discribed.I like tght feet,in my whippetxgreyhounds.But for a good hardy,honest working dog.I liked a good thick foot,with very strong,and well sprung toes.I have a oup here at the minute,with great big buggers of feet on him.But they are gooduns.Nice wee extra touch,that a bit of bull,has given him.He's just 6 months,and stands 25 inches tts.Gona be a brute of a dog.Or ive got a flippin Donkey,lol.

 

[moretoniacarol@tiscali.co.uk]

As a lurcher judge for 25 years i would not penalise a dog that is castrated i sometimes show one for a friend and have had the same comments oh what a shame, this dog is super fit and works very well. I think there is more likely to be a problem with dogs with only one testicle as this can cause a health issue and they should not be bred from as this is an hereditory defect. Often dogs that have come from rescue centres are castrated and make good workers and pets, also having your dog castrated for your own preference ie you keep bitches or you dont want to breed should not make a difference in the show ring. This is just my opinion

Well said. Pity there are not more like you. Has anyone had a castrated dog win at a qualifying show ?

Yes i have FINN has had a reserve champion at the south westsupreme lurcher finals and he has had 1st placings at the national lurcher finals at chatsworth so there is some judges who will judge the dogs potential

 

[cyfrin]

:wacko: I've been led to believe that a neutered dog cannot be shown.........

So I am pleased to hear the above comments

 

[jinnyfizz]

:wacko: I've been led to believe that a neutered dog cannot be shown.........
So I am pleased to hear the above comments

Likewise for me :thumbsup:

Timothy will have to be neutered as he has only one descended testicle and the other is nowhere to be felt It is also a necessity for him as I have 9 bitches here, none speyed, and I have no intention of breeding!!! :wacko:

 

[whippetmad]

As a lurcher judge for 25 years i would not penalise a dog that is castrated i sometimes show one for a friend and have had the same comments oh what a shame, this dog is super fit and works very well. I think there is more likely to be a problem with dogs with only one testicle as this can cause a health issue and they should not be bred from as this is an hereditory defect. Often dogs that have come from rescue centres are castrated and make good workers and pets, also having your dog castrated for your own preference ie you keep bitches or you dont want to breed should not make a difference in the show ring. This is just my opinion

Well said. Pity there are not more like you. Has anyone had a castrated dog win at a qualifying show ?

Yes i have FINN has had a reserve champion at the south westsupreme lurcher finals and he has had 1st placings at the national lurcher finals at chatsworth so there is some judges who will judge the dogs potential

Well done to Finn :thumbsup: ........If a bitch is spayed,then no ones can see any different,if a dog is neutered you can notice,the dog should not be penilised because of this, as long as the dog is suppose to look how its suppose to look then whats the problem :wacko: .Carol has made a very good point :thumbsup: ...pity theres no more people like Carol that judges on the dog potential and not whats between their legs :-

 

[Eleanor Gibbins]

I've been led to believe that a neutered dog cannot be shown.........

My whippet, Merlin, is a JR Whippet Rescue dog and therefore came to me already neutered. He is a pet, first and foremost, but he is KC Reg and a lovely looking boy with good conformation, so I decided to have a bit of fun by taking him to some Companion Dog Shows. We have never been to a ringcraft class in our lives - we just watch and learn from others.

There is nothing in the KC Rules to say that competitors in Companion shows have to be uncastrated, but a lot of professional dog showers use them as 'practice' for their young dogs. I had always assumed that Merlin had no chance in the pedigree classes against such dogs - if it was between him and one with 'balls', I thought the entire dog would always win (pretty unfair on castrated dogs, when you consider that you cannot see whether a bitch is speyed or not!).

However, despite my misgivings, Merlin won three Best in Shows last summer - on one occasion (Frampton Country Fair) the Hound, Terrier and Gundog class consisted of 30 very strong competitors. To say that I was stunned to win it, and then go on to get BIS, is an understatement! Proudest day of my life with my little rescue dog!

So I would say to anyone wanting to have a bit of fun with their castrated dog - go for it! If the judge is worth his/her salt, they will choose the best dog on the day and you have as much chance as anyone else.

Edited to add: I realise that the thread is mainly about lurchers, but I know that owners of other breeds read these threads, so I hope I have not hijacked the OP's topic!

 

[gabbitas31]

As a lurcher judge for 25 years i would not penalise a dog that is castrated i sometimes show one for a friend and have had the same comments oh what a shame, this dog is super fit and works very well. I think there is more likely to be a problem with dogs with only one testicle as this can cause a health issue and they should not be bred from as this is an hereditory defect. Often dogs that have come from rescue centres are castrated and make good workers and pets, also having your dog castrated for your own preference ie you keep bitches or you dont want to breed should not make a difference in the show ring. This is just my opinion

Well said. Pity there are not more like you. Has anyone had a castrated dog win at a qualifying show ?

Yes i have FINN has had a reserve champion at the south westsupreme lurcher finals and he has had 1st placings at the national lurcher finals at chatsworth so there is some judges who will judge the dogs potential

Well done to Finn :thumbsup: ........If a bitch is spayed,then no ones can see any different,if a dog is neutered you can notice,the dog should not be penilised because of this, as long as the dog is suppose to look how its suppose to look then whats the problem :wacko: .Carol has made a very good point :thumbsup: ...pity theres no more people like Carol that judges on the dog potential and not whats between their legs :-

Agree 100%....... :thumbsup: di