Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone who knows me knows one of my 'pet peeves' is a low, throaty or ewe neck. Maybe it is because Kal-el has one of those rare perfect neck sets and neck line.

Some of my dogs have had throaty necks, and I find it hard to breed out. It takes careful breeding and often several generations.

Which is possibly why I see more, and more, and more throaty necks, bulging in the front ..which I would just call 'throaty'... but I also saw several true ewe necks at the Specialties.

I realize the neck is not a huge issue when considering the job the Pharaoh has to do... just as the white flecking or size won't prevent the dog from getting the bunny...

But it just seems that in Scandinavia especially it is almost endemic. No one seems to even try to hide it by baiting the neck arched and forward. They often bait high and push the head back to almost show off the bulge. Why????

Does it not bother anyone else?

Ok, I'll bite....
I'd agree that we are seeing more of the throaty necks and there were some ewe necks out there. Not so many thick necks that we've seen on some in the past (still a few today) but, yes, tha look where they have sleek arched necks but have the bulging in the front. Also, I noticed some with stove-pipe necks where there is no flow into the body and it just looks like the neck was just stuck on top of the dog. Often also associated with a shoulder that is set too far forward or straighter.
I do think good strength of neck is necessary in a coursing hound. Without a proper neck carriage and muscling, the dog could have trouble snagging a rabbit at a full run.
I do think part of it is the "flash" appeal to all-rounder judges with that head and neck baited up so high. I agree, Lori, many handlers are not even attempting to bait the dog's nose down so the back arch of the neck shows more than the front of the neck. It always makes me wonder if they do not know what is correct or are they just playing the dog SHOW game?
It does bother me and we all need to pay attention as we breed and select dogs to show but I must say there are other parts that bother me more.