Working Terrier conditioning

[Guest Fell & Moorland WTC SW area]

I can see where this Post is going. Socks you crack on with what you do.....

The question was about whether guys keep their dogs lean, or well covered for the Season ahead. Just trying to start a conversation!

[socks 32,253]

I have had many discussions with guys about this Dog and that Dog, and it always seems to go the same way, "look at how fit it is". What does fit mean in some guys eyes?

I have seen some Dogs that would win a Crufts body building competition. I have looked at several recent Pictures on here too, and read the replies. This isn't directed at ANY Dogs on here, but I often wonder how this type of Dog would get on in tight places over a long dig. I am not talking about whether it can get there, just the actual effect the conditions would have on some of these Muscle Beach candidates. Obviously Muscle would have a say in whether the Dog can get there or not, but lets assume it can.

I sort of keep mine on the edge of being a bit thinner than some might keep theirs, but they don't seem to stiffen up, and are more agile than a lot I have seen. It doesn't hurt to keep them lean and lithe, far less stress for Dog too. I have seen many Muscle thick Dogs get to a dig and breathing out of their arse, after only walking 2 Fields width!

ANYBODY ANY THOUGHTS?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

i answered what you asked ... this post isnt going anywhere for me ... not trying to hijack your post or start an arguement i was simply answering what you originally asked

[Kane 2]

A bit short on working terriers for this season,but I would expect the type of patterdale I keep to start the season with a well muscled body yet lean the borders I like are totaly different and no matter how much exercise you give them the muscle will not develop to the extent of the pats the border when ready will start the season fit not overly muscled and of quite light frame.

[TimJ 0]

Socks, I'd say you know what a fit dog looks like

[Guest oneredtrim]

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Edited January 21, 2008 by oneredtrim

[Kane 2]

A bit of coat can hide a lot of sins true,but it wont alter the weight and JMO a lot of Borders are light weight which to me means less muscle also a bit of coat doesnt stop you running your hands over a dog.I am only talking about the Borders I have had and the working line I like cant speak for others experiances.

[Guest diesel]

wow... work hard, feed well, has always worked for myself and my old man... you can start to get things rather complicated having a bit of knowledge like socks cant hurt.. as long as the dog is up to ur standards and ur needs then your laughing... if you get them to fit (ie. terrier) a good thew of them are goin to go nuts in there kennel if you dont work them hard enough.. so like i said as long as they meet ur needs then they dont to be built like brick shit houses.. or be able to run a marathon.. that propably dont make sense but some will get my drift...

 

diesel

[rob reynolds uk 3]

give me a fit & flexble terrier any day one that can turn in the pipes if need be as long as its fit strong and stays thats all you need in a terrier oh yeh and mad as hell :11:

[Guest DeeD]

good food lots of work

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Agreed!

[Guest Fell & Moorland WTC SW area]

give me a fit & flexble terrier any day one that can turn in the pipes if need be as long as its fit strong and stays thats all you need in a terrier oh yeh and mad as hell  :11:

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Pretty much where I come from RR. All these so called 'tightly coupled' Dogs aren't always so clever at manouvering.

There is no need to have a 'Muscle Bosun' for a working Terrier, and in a lot of cases it can hinder them a lot. A fit, lean, flexible Dog, with a bit of length every time, but if they don't stay why worry about conditioning.

 

[DUCKWING 302]

WELL LADS ,

THERE ARE SOME INTERESTING OPINIONS ON THIS THREAD ,

 

PERSONALLY .... I HAVE NEVER KNOWINGLY PUT TO GROUND A TERRIER WHICH I BELIVED TO BE UNFIT ,................ HAVING SAID THAT I HAVENT EVER CONDITIONED A EARTH DOG AS I WOULD ...SAY A LURCHER OR BULLDOG ETC FOR A SPECIFIC DATE , BASICALLY THERES NO NEED ...NO COMPETITION ..... NO SPECIFIC TIME OR DATES ,...... " WHO KNOWS WHEN YOU WILL FIND ONE AT HOME "

HOWEVER ...... TO PUT A DOG TO GROUND THAT YOU KNOW IS NOT UP TO THE JOB ,..... SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU AS A DOGMAN ... OR SHOULD I SAY A MAN THAT KEEPS DOGS !!!!!

 

I CAN SEE WHAT SOME OF YOU ARE THINKING WHEN MENTIONING MUSCLE BOUND .... THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN A BODYBUILDER AND A LISH BOXER DOESNT NEED EXPLAINING !!!

 

I BELIVE THE DOGS YOU LADS ARE SPEAKING OF AS BEING MUSCLE BOUND ARENT ... SIMPLY THEY ARE MUSCULAR INDIVIDUALS, MOSTLY SMOOTH COATED DOGS WHICH ARE SHOWING DEFINITION ...AS AN EXAMPLE ..... GO ON TO THE BULLDOG SECTION AND HAVE A LOOK AT THE ITALLION STALLIONS PHOTOS......I AM SURE HE WONT MIND ME SAYING THAT HE GIVES HIS WHITE BULL BITCH NO MORE WORK THAN HIS OTHER DOGS OR THIS BITCHES SIBLINGS..... YET ...... SHE WORKS HERSELF [ ALWAYS ON THE GO ] ............ SHES A SUPERBLY MUSCLED BITCH , VERY STRONG ......NATURALLY !

 

ONE THING THAT DOES IMPRESS ME IN ANY COMPETATIVE ANIMAL IS ..............OUTSTANDING NATURAL STRENGTH ............ THE POWER TO OVERWHELM AN OPPONANT

 

 

SOMETHING I ALWAYS BREED FOR

 

ALL THE BEST

 

DUCKWING