[RottsNScotts]

With both Abbo and Toby, I had a 5 pound variance between "show season" and when they were doing only work. Abbo was 105 for work, 110 for show; Toby 113 for work, 118 for show. They always were the fittest in the ring and I, too, had MANY discussions with Toby's handler, breeder, judges, spectators, etc about his weight. I pointed out that right after the show, he was going to go do herding, sometimes in a big field, and that I was NOT going to pack the weight on him and end up hurting him.

I usually added that if judges could not tell the difference between weight an substance, I couldn't help them!

I was disappointed to see how heavy a number of the dogs were at this last weekend's independent German style show in Oregon. I will say the judge DID get after a number of people about their dog's weight and condition and even placed them lower due to it. And TOLD them that was why!