Pictures of breeds in their EARLY years.

[Paige]

Why can't you use a horse lead if you need a strong leash? If it's strong enough to hold a horse it's strong enough for a dog is it not? (plus they come in cuter colours)

edit to add

Looks--Diversity is the Key Word

It is incorrect to state that shepherd[']s [dogs] have been bred solely for work[ing] ability with no care for looks or conformation. Seldom does one see an ugly working collie, and even more seldom, one of poor conformation. Hard working farm dogs would never cope with years of stock work if they were ill-made.

...howing has not developed these beautiful dogs; they are the product of many, many years of careful breeding by practical shepherds, most of whom have carefully studied the pedigrees of the animals involved...Show enthusiasts are now reaping the benefit of all this past experience...

The renowned quality of the Border Collie must continue to be judged on its work[ing] ability, as it has been judged for over 100 years...not solely on its good looks, or by its show ring successes...

The Border Collie has achieved the high esteem in which it is held, by sheer merit of accomplishing its herding tasks to the highest standards in the pastoral...world.

--Mrs. E. B. (Barbara) Carpenter
Brocken Border Collies
Pasters Hill House, Gloucestershire
April 1986

This isn't what I was looking for but it sums it up nicely.

 

[ihartgonzo]

That's an awesome article! And it definitely solidifies the fact that working Border Collies have not deviated from their original appearance and purpose... and will not... as long as they are proven to perform the job they were bred to do in the style that they were bred to perform. Form follows function, not vice versa.

There is some variety in the breed, like if you were to compare Bandit to Gonzo, but it's easy to recognize that they are both Border Collies. Especially if you saw them working. : )

 

[Dekka]

That's an awesome article! And it definitely solidifies the fact that working Border Collies have not deviated from their original appearance and purpose... and will not... as long as they are proven to perform the job they were bred to do in the style that they were bred to perform. Form follows function, not vice versa.

There is some variety in the breed, like if you were to compare Bandit to Gonzo, but it's easy to recognize that they are both Border Collies. Especially if you saw them working. : )

True, and is the same as the JRT. They look pretty much the same, when you breed for purpose and that purpose doesn't change.. then neither does the dog.

 

[Paige]

Exactly! I'd never put down someone who does conformation shows with Border Collies but I also won't claim to understand their reasoning behind it. It's a working breed and that's why most Border Collie owners love them. Why tamper with a good thing?

 

[Chewbecca]

As for the pit bull comment...

The collar isn't that big of a deal. The chain, on the other hand, is ridiculous. I dont care how strong the dog is. You can find much thinner chains that can hold back A LOT of pressure and weight... much more than the dog in question can pull.

I don't agree with putting heavy thick chains on dogs either. NOT if the chain is too heavy for the dog.
In other words, I'm NOT for physically harming/damaging a dog.

Please know that I don't think that the chain is ok just because I made my last comment.
My last comment was geared towards judging the breed on thick collars and chains and stating that their reputation was due to that.

 

[DanL]

Here's some GSD pics. I picked a random dog and went back thru it's lines.

1908

1918

1928

1934

more...

 

[DanL]

1950

1961

1967

1979

more...

 

[DanL]

1992

1998

2004

 

[CharlieDog]

WOW those are some gorgeous GSD's!

Now I need my GSD fix. Thanks Dan

 

[DanL]

Here's something fun. I made a Gunnar pic black and white and compared him to the 1950 GSD. He's not as stacked but his top line is pretty close.

 

[Laurelin]

Aha! Here's one of the pics I was looking for. (Sort of)

This is one of Hiro's ancestors and a good version of the papillon back when they were first being shown in England.

the main difference is of course, the color. A papillon could not be that color any more, they have to come in particolor now.

That one is from the 1920s but the one I was wanting to find was 1880s/1890s I think. Basically the same style only two solid light colored papillons.

 

[Laurelin]

Here's an old pap that could've passed as Summer's sister!