1st Grading Photos

Puppies are 8 weeks old today, so Stephanie came over to help take photos. Even though they don't all have show quality ridges ( or no ridge at all), I still like to have a record of their body type and structure to add to my knowledge.

First up is Prize...otherwise known as Mz Piggie....Stephanie asked if she let the others have any food.... She is a chunky little gal!

She is an interesting puppy....lots of forechest, good and deep in the chest, nice shoulder return, but she could have more layback and be smoother across the shoulder. Topline looks okay, tail set is good, but we'll have to see is she gets some slope to the croup as she gets older. I would like to see a slight bit more length in the second thigh and lower in the hocks. Just have to rephoto her at 12 weeks...

Next is Magic...not fully cooperating with us, but I like his overall balance, length of neck, lovely headpiece...just stops nice and square every time. More layback and a longer upper arm than Prize, not quiet as much forchest, but certainly adequate. Good depth of body, nice length of second thigh. I'm holding on to him and re-evaluating him as 12 weeks.

This is the short ridged girl...known to me as the Prima Dona....She wants what she wants and right now...or she screams until she gets it! A cute personality though overall. Like Prize, she hasn't wasted any time scarfing down her food, but she is nicely balanced and will be a beautiful pet for someone

One crowned girl is the smallest of the lot but takes no guff off anyone. She too is an attractive pup and would have easily been show quality, except for her missing "crown". She is most like Magic in her build.

The South Africn Lion Hound...aka the ridgeless boy...He is a handsome puppy,balanced, smooth in the shoulders, nice layback and upper arm, well angulated behind.....if not for he absence of a ridge, he'd be a contenter for sure!