Conformation Critique?

[Chul3l3ies1126]

Hey all! I'm a member that has not been on in quite a while, so HI THERE! My name is Vanessa, Nessa for short.

I saw this conformation clinic on here and thought it was neat, and see that alot of people do answer to them so I'm curious as to what you can tell me about my Callahan's conformation.

He was a rescue, along with his sister... from BYB parents that were used as a money source... so I have no idea about their family and or conformation backgrounds.

I love my boy to no ends and know he is no where near perfect... but I would like to know what he's got going on with his body type. How close is he to anything? What is good in his conformation... what is bad? and so on...

Thank you all for your time!!! Here are his pictures. I'm excited to see what the experts have to say!

Taken in May 09
http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/HisLove1126/June%202009/IMG_5699.jpg

May
http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/HisLove1126/March%2021st/IMG_3904.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/HisLove1126/March%2021st/IMG_4015.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/HisLove1126/1%20Year%20Old/Beach%20Callahan/IMG_3465.jpg

[Chul3l3ies1126]

and these are just to throw in there...

he was 10 months old at the time...

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/HisLove1126/December%20Beach/IMG_0029.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/HisLove1126/December%20Beach/IMG_0030.jpg


Thanks so much you all!!!
Nessa

[Carolyn]

Overall he exhibits the most important factor..........breed type. You can clearly tell he is a Great Dane and his profile projects this.

On a more detailed note:
1)head
good width, definition and lip. good ear set. he has a nice expression.
too wide in the backskull, too cheeky and could use a tad more length of muzzle.

2)nice neck and neck set.

3) topline/back
he has a dip/rise in his topline and is long backed.

4)croup
too steep.......drops off
tail length is good.

5)shoulders
shoulder set is good, but upper arm is straight.

6)chest
if he is an adult he's narrow and shallow, if he is an adolscent, he may be filling out and that shallowness will mature out. He's also easty/westy and again, if he is a young adolescent with his chest filling out, that should be self correcting. If he's an adult, that will stay because of his narrowness.

7)feet
nice and tight

8)rear
OK

9) Substance
Needs more bone for a male

All of this, of course, is subjective and based on the pics, but I also think he looks bigger then he really is, as Im betting you are short and gives him the illusion he is taller......I say that because in the pics where he is by himself he looks overall on the smaller side for a male.

Most importantly he looks like a nice happy boy who is dearly loved!
Enjoy him!

[Chul3l3ies1126]

Overall he exhibits the most important factor..........breed type. You can clearly tell he is a Great Dane and his profile projects this.

On a more detailed note:
1)head
good width, definition and lip. good ear set. he has a nice expression.
too wide in the backskull, too cheeky and could use a tad more length of muzzle.

2)nice neck and neck set.

3) topline/back
he has a dip/rise in his topline and is long backed.

4)croup
too steep.......drops off
tail length is good.

5)shoulders
shoulder set is good, but upper arm is straight.

6)chest
if he is an adult he's narrow and shallow, if he is an adolscent, he may be filling out and that shallowness will mature out. He's also easty/westy and again, if he is a young adolescent with his chest filling out, that should be self correcting. If he's an adult, that will stay because of his narrowness.

7)feet
nice and tight

8)rear
OK

9) Substance
Needs more bone for a male

All of this, of course, is subjective and based on the pics, but I also think he looks bigger then he really is, as Im betting you are short and gives him the illusion he is taller......I say that because in the pics where he is by himself he looks overall on the smaller side for a male.

Most importantly he looks like a nice happy boy who is dearly loved!
Enjoy him!

Gosh Carolyn... THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I am going to go through and reply to each little thing... only because I have questions because I am a curious soul. :) But this is just the most wonderful reply I could have gotten. I've never had such a detailed dead on response... it is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

So wonderful... this will definitely help to learn the proper conformation... I have never been near a *reputably bred* dane whom is to the standard... so I have nothing to feel my way through. (If this makes any sense to you lol)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! AND YES! hehe he is DEARLY LOVED! To the ends of the earth and back... :) I'm so glad that it shows and shines through the screen to others... I love my boy<3
Nessa

[DaynasMom]

I think he's a handsome boy (which has nothing to do with his conformation) but my oh my, what a pretty, healthy looking boy you have!

[alicat613]

Nessa, he's a handsome boy and definitely exhibits good breed type overall. I couldn't begin to comment as thoroughly as Carolyn has. I'm not a show person but I love learning about conformation. I think this page is really helpful http://www.sunstrike-great-danes.com/conformation-clinic/

[BillM]

I think he is beautiful yay


I know nothing about confirmation but he sure looks happy and healthy and that is the most important part to me Thumbup

[SassySasha]

long backed = long body (for a male)???