The Mechanics of Movement

German Shepherd Dogs in competition, the gaiting or movement is the most exciting part of the show. The dog must be constructed as correctly as possible so that the sum of the parts added together ensure fluidity and far reaching gait. The wither must be high, the upper arm and the laid back of the shoulder blade must be close to the desired 90 degree. The croup must be well laid and long and the hind angulation must be angled with strong stifles. The hocks must also be of correct length and so does the body of the dog...of good length and the back strong. Its only when all these attributes are rightly in place that you see REAL "Beauty in Motion".



I am still studying and trying to understand the features that make ranchus swim powerfully and beautifully....just like a sumo wrestler...big, powerful yet agile in their movement. Many things come to mind like strong back, thick peduncle, big oza and well constructed tail etc etc.....haiz just like how I first started playing dogs....viewing whatever vhs tapes of GSD competitions especially the annual German Sieger Show and meeting up with the various German judges/breeders on their annual pilgrimage to judge all the various shows in Asia and Australia...Singaporeans are so lucky bcos many a times, we get short stop-overs by these German Masters on transit to the various countries.....over a few beers, we get to sit with these German Masters into the wee hours of the night, picking their brains and enthusiastically picking up the finer points of grooming, breeding and showing dogs.

Right now with internet and especially YouTube...for Jap ranchu enthusiasts, things are a lot easier, but there are so many other fascinating things and knowledge that internet can't teaches....the finer points of ranchu keeping,grooming and understanding can only be learnt from the Jap Masters....wish for the day that I have a chance to meet these Jap Masters.

AJRS Kudou Swimming