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Presentation: It Does Make A Difference BY WALTER SOMMERFELT continued
“HOPEFULLY, IN PREPARING YOUR EXHIBIT FOR THE SHOW RING YOU UNDERSTAND THE PROPER GAIT FOR YOUR BREED. ASSUMING YOUR DOG HAS THE PROPER GAIT STYLE THE NEXT MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE EQUATION IS THE TEMPO OR SPEED IN WHICH YOU EXHIBIT.”
how to recognize and understand them is important.
One of the better books out there to talk about gait is Dogsteps by the late Rachel Page Elliot. Page Elliott was one of Ameri- ca’s most respected authorities on dog gait. She presented lectures and videos to audi- ences all over the world and through her books and videos many people have gained a better understanding of the Natural Gaits, The Walk, The Amble, The Pace, The Trot, Hackney Gaiting, The suspension or “Flying Trot” the Cantor and The Gal- lop. The book will also help you to under- stand that good performance is the test of good structure.
Hopefully, in preparing your exhibit for the show ring you understand the proper gait for your breed. Assuming your dog has the proper gait style the next most impor- tant part of the equation is the tempo or speed in which you exhibit.
How fast or slow you move your ani- mal has a great deal to do with the overall presentation to the judge. While in move- ment the judge is evaluating many differ- ent things not just reach and drive. The are looking at toplines, tail carriage, head car- riage, rolling of the body and so on.
I am a proponent of the saying “Speed Kills”. Normal canine movement can show numerous faulty actions such as “Crab- bing”, Crossing over in the front or rear, Weaving, Moving close, Cow hocks, pad- dling, knitting and purling, tied at the elbows, or out at the elbows, as well as other faults that can be minimized or as in most cases maximized by the speed at which they are shown as well as the placement of the lead and the control exerted by the handler.
In most cases dog are raced around the ring because for whatever reason people think it looks showy, flashy and gives the appearance of good reach and drive. Often what racing does is throw off the top line
and make it look like the animal is work- ing very hard to go nowhere fast. On the down and back it often causes the exhibit to appear to crab or sidewind and in some cases cause the dog to be pulling to side and throw the front or rear out of rhythm. As the handler or presenter, it is your job to practice showing your exhibit on a loose lead at the speed which makes him or her look their very best. Again, know the proper gait and preferred speed for your breed and adapt accordingly. Good judges know prop- er movement and try to evaluate the whole dog while in motion. In evaluating move- ment, they are also assessing if the dog has the proper structure and ability to do the job for which he is bred.
Hopefully if you are serious about the presentation of your exhibit you will do your homework and do all the little things that make a big difference. Remember pre- sentation is the art of creating an enhancing aesthetic appeal it can and often does make a difference it the outcome.
BIO
Walter Sommerfelt of Lenoir City, Tennesse has been involved in the sport of purebred dogs since acquiring his first Old English Sheepdog in 1972. He is a former professional handler as well as a breeder, and exhibitor of breeds in all seven groups, most notably Vizslas, OES, Pointers, Bearded Collies and Weimaraners. Judging since 1985 he is approved for All Sporting, Working, and Herding breeds and groups, Junior Showmanship and Best in Show
and has had the honor of judging on four different continents.
Mr. Sommerfelt has judged many of the most prestigious shows in the United States including the herding group at
the 2014 Westminster Dog Show in New York City where he has judged on three separate occasions.
Mr. Sommerfelt was the founder and
chairman for the St. Jude Showcase of Dogs from 1993 until 2009, a unique
event showcasing the world of purebred dogs. This special event was the largest collection of various dog events in one location, featuring an AKC all Breed Dog Show, AKC Obedience and Rally Trials, AKC Agility trials, (prior to AKC adding agility NADAC trials ) One of the largest Fly ball tournaments in the U.S.A., Herding and go to ground demonstrations, A main stage featuring performances by Canines from Television and the Movies, Freestyle, Demos by drug and various therapy dogs, A full room of booths for meet the breeds, over 50 AKC judges seminars annually, Lure coursing, A fun Zone for Children, and other dog related fun activities for the general public and their dogs. Over the years the event not only raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the world- renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, but also raised awareness of the many activities for people with their dogs as well establishing a
voice for dog people in the Memphis area with regard to legislation. Many aspects of today’s AKC Royal Canin show can be traced back to the St. Jude event.
Along with Carol his wife of 36 years they have bred well over 90 AKC Champions including Group, Best in Show and Specialty Winners, dual Champions and multiple performance titled dogs. During the past 40 years Mr. Sommerfelt has been active in a number of dog clubs and is currently the President of the Tennessee Valley Kennel Club. He
is recipient of the AKC outstanding Sportsmanship Award and is also a career agent and financial planning specialist with Nationwide Insurance. The Sommerfelts’ have two grown children, both former Junior Handlers and they are still active breeders and exhibitors of the Vizsla breed.
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