Here are the professional win pics from the last two weekends. As previously posted, Daphne, in the 4-6m category, got Best of Breed and First in Herding Group at the first Doswell shows on two of the four days. And Best of Breed and Group Placements the other two days of the four-day event.
Clyde was entered in the second set of shows, last weekend. He got Best of Opposite Sex on two days, and Select on the other two days of the 4 day event.
My friend Lexi Showalter took this nice pic of Clyde going on the diagonal, “down and back,” from ringside:
Sideview of Clyde, going “down and back”
On the “down and back” dogs are judged on their movement from the front and back, checking for gait anomalies. In this pic, the judge is standing at the end of the mat as we are “coming back”, in front of us, watching Clyde’s front feet and legs, making sure there’s no “paddling”, throwing out of elbows, turning in or out of toes, or crossing. Basically, they are looking for “clean” movement.
When the dog is “going away” from the judge, the judge is looking for cow hocks, wide stance, wobble, or toeing in or out of the rear legs. I’m proud to say that Clyde is a very clean mover, both “coming” and “going.”
Shepherd Sight 
Daphne and Clyde both did an amazing job. It’s wonderful to see their successes highlighted. The explanation of the “down and back” judging was really insightful too. Looking forward to hearing more updates about their journey.
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