Crufts 2012, Breed divergence

[oggiesnr]

Went to Crufts today and watched Heelwork, Flyball and the BC show classes.

I thought it was scary the way that the working dogs were so different to the show dogs. The former were leaner and eager (and noisy), the latter seemed heavier, shorter noses, little muscle definition (even allowing for fluffed up coats) and nervy (and 99% black/white)

I may be over reacting but the divergence seemed dramatic.

Has anyone else noticed this and is it important?

Steve

[oldshep]

To me, one of the joys of Border Collies is the diversity in colour, shape, size etc. I think that there is a widening gap between the show BC and the working BC with another group somewhere in between. In the working group I know that some shepherds are concerned about the change brought about by the use of quad bikes etc. as they feel that the "new" dogs don't have the stamina.

I have seen a number of show BCs and they do seem to be a different animal and certainly not fit for purpose. However I feel that the KC and the "breed standard" has a lot to answer for and as a purely personal opinion I would like to see the future of the BC completely in the hands of the ISDS but I do stress that is an entirely personal view.

*sheep(

[Max and pack]

I watched a lot more of crufts than I normally do this year and was amazed how different the 'show' versions were! I am used to seeing working collies at agility and on farms, and I grew up with working labs and ratting jack russels, and saw a lot of working springers at shoots. The show dogs were almost unrecognisable! Certainly not fit for their original purpose :(