Elaine, I understand your concern however, it is a handlers job to show a dog to their best ability. If the judges want a loose lead and it is not given then the dog should not win, period end. Frankly the blame in that case, is on the judge not the handler for doing their job. Deb In a message dated 8/16/2005 11:02:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time, tykemail@xxxxxxxxx writes: Did you notice the letter recently about a handler who kept his dog on a tight lead even though the judge called for a loose lead, and then explained afterwards that his dog had a bad back, and he'd rather loose fo= r a tight lead than a bad back=3F And this was one of out "top" handlers=2E= =20 Don't such people realize what they are doing to the breed I love=3F=3F := (( Elaine ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================