Comments on: Helen King on Structure Evaluation

By: Helen KIng

Helen KIng — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:56:26 +0000

Thank you to everyone for your kind comments. I will try to answer a few questions but, again, it is like trying to explain how to paint or sculpt by email.
It is great if you know the lines from which your dog comes. However, that is not always easy. If you have a rescue, for instance, that is nearly impossible so you have to judge the dog on what you see in front of you or get some x-rays done before taking a dog for competition training.
When I did my research to find a stud dog for my standard Poodle bitch, it was difficult! There were no perfect dogs. The dog I bred to is larger than I like but he had everything (or nearly everything) else I wanted in a dog for my bitch so I settled for too tall. There will always be tradeoffs in everything when it comes to structure.
I look at movement (gait) and at the dog standing still. If I see the dog move, I know what the conformation is that produces that movement. I can also look at a dog standing still and know how that dog will move and jump. It is just training your eye. Watch dogs at your next trial. Notice how they move and jump and then study their structure. You will see a pattern after a while. That will help you to train your eye.

Helen King
Excuses Prevent Advancement
http://www.jility.com/Signaturepage.html

By: Angela Sutton

Angela Sutton — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:34:54 +0000

Thanks for this post! This stuff is so important! Can you comment on things that can clue you in to good structure e.g. dog’s gait, free stacks and what you are looking for in the thigh/2nd thigh area.
Tnx
Angela.

By: Melissa Blazak

Melissa Blazak — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:51:01 +0000

I have been to 2 of Helen’s structure seminars. The first time without a dog, the second time with my new poodle puppy Rudy. Tons of information from a very knowledgable and super lady. It all makes perfect sense once you hear the lecture and see the examples set forth. Can I remember everything? Nope!! Thank goodness for notes and the fact that Helen’s critique of her 4 poodles keep popping up on the poodle lists for lively debates on structure.

I second Suzanne W.’s heartfelt thanks to Helen. I too live way across the continent in Southern Ontario, but have stalked Helen through e-mail looking for advice, opinions and sharing a laugh or two. I am very new to all of this performance dog “stuff” and she has been very generous with her tips. It also doesn’t hurt that I have a poodle! A poodle I might add that came to me through a very thoughtful breeder, with input from Helen. I consider Helen Rudy’s honorary “Auntie”.

If you have an opportunity to go to her seminar do so. I hope to bug Helen for many more years as Rudy and I embark on our journey together.

Melissa
Karbits TNT Rudolph Valentino

By: Daniel Beatty, DVM

Daniel Beatty, DVM — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:48:29 +0000

Excellent post! I loved how you kept it simple, even though the terminology was difficult for some…lol. Just the basics – you want a sloping pelvis (rump) and a sloping shoulder with a shorter back. This also helps prevent injuries to the back and psoas group. Sending my clients and readers to this post because it is a must read for performance dog owners/teams.

By: mtrebino

mtrebino — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:42:40 +0000

I will begin my search for an Old English Sheepdog Puppy.. I wanted to try and find a line with OFA excellent hips exrays in the line..Everyone has just laughed at me..Apparently good is as good as it gets..Can you talk a little about that process and is it important to look at past line. margie

By: Andrea

Andrea — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:23:57 +0000

Wow Helen – it sounds like you are an endless well of information about structure! I’m VERY interested and the terminology is a bit over my head. Is there a website you recommend where I can define some of what you’ve shared here? I think I need more pictures…

Do you ever come down to FL for seminars??

Wonderful to have you as a guest blogger!

By: Suzanne Wesley

Suzanne Wesley — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:36:26 +0000

I’ve now known Helen (and her better half Mel yeah… brownie points) for quite a few years now. In that time I have learned much from her and primarily because Helen has been one of the most generous people I know. She has guided many of us that are willing to listen and learn to be better as trainers and owners of dogs!! For that I have been grateful – more than Helen knows!! We live on opposite sides of the United States but she is always there to help!

Along with her wealth of knowledge on structure and how it affects performance she and Mel are excellent dog trainers. Mel at 70 odd years of age is someone I watch in awe!! He puts many of us “younger” handlers to shame! Both have learned the art of training a dog to be a GREAT agility dog all through people like Susan Garrett, Greg & Laura Derrett, Stacy Winkler et al.

Through this shared knowledge we will all learn. Knowledge is empowerment and through this we will evolve as dog trainers and handlers. If you get a chance to go to one of Helen’s structure seminars I would strongly recomend it.

I start another journey with a litter of poodle pups I’ve just bred and am grateful for what I have learned from Helen about what to look for in a performance poodle or any breed for that matter.

Once again Helen… thanks!

Suzanne Wesley

By: Lynda Orton-Hill

Lynda Orton-Hill — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:41:08 +0000

BRAVO! Very cool collaboration during puppy weeks – with Helen as a guest blogger!

By: Ann Hopp

Ann Hopp — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:37:51 +0000

I can’t say enough about the generosity of two great women! Now I know I have to find a King seminar!

By: Claire Duder

Claire Duder — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:38:37 +0000

My puppies are awesome, thanks! Did your girl take?