The Shape of Things That Hunt

While I wish I had coined the phrase “Long, Low, Liver-Lookers,” full attribution goes to the late, great Richard Beauchamp. While the phrase, unfortunately, applies to an assortment of breeds for which it should not apply, it can be especially dreadful in sporting breeds. Only two sporting breeds are supposed to be long and low. (None of the sporting breeds are required to be liver-lookers).

Why then is there a long and low trend in sporting breeds? Is it holding on because long and low dogs that are not supposed to be long and low run fast and look “flashy” flying around the ring? I sure hope not.

Or is it because it’s difficult to find the essence of a breed in its silhouette? If you understand the breed, it should not be difficult at all. Some readers have seen the classic illustration of five retriever breed silhouettes. If you cannot instantly identify those five silhouettes, you’ll likely need more time studying the retrievers before you should breed, show, or judge them. I don’t say that irreverently, I say it because it’s important.

First, let me say it’s not all doom and gloom; there are plenty of top winners with proper proportions and silhouettes in the sporting group. But the trend is clear and does not seem to be receding. We must preserve the form and function of these spectacular sporting breeds (actually, all breeds) as the founder’s intended. That cannot be accomplished without a full understanding of a breed’s basic proportions and shape.

Posted by AnthonyA on Sep 8 2021. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.