Face Dog = Head Dog?

[EWO]

Agree with 'no style is 100%', but controlling the head puts a dog in as favorable position as any, if not more favorable. And just like anything, there are levels or specialties in head dogs. Head dogs can be face dogs, or ear dogs, or between the eyes dogs, any number of places on the head. Some are just riding some are riding and laying some wood as they ride.

Then we can use the phrases 'offensive minded head dog' and 'defensive minded head dog'. Both can control the head, control the match and dictate the pace. Jack mentioned those defensive aces, and those can go to another level. The dog that is offensive and lays wood right up until the other guy re-positions, counters, finds a hold, and then that dog switches to that defensive dog in the blink of an eye. Rides til he can lay some wood and back to the offensive side of the ball all the while being in complete control.

It takes a real freak to overcome this and the freaks do not grow on trees. EWO

[Officially Retired]

Agree with 'no style is 100%', but controlling the head puts a dog in as favorable position as any, if not more favorable. And just like anything, there are levels or specialties in head dogs. Head dogs can be face dogs, or ear dogs, or between the eyes dogs, any number of places on the head. Some are just riding some are riding and laying some wood as they ride.

Then we can use the phrases 'offensive minded head dog' and 'defensive minded head dog'. Both can control the head, control the match and dictate the pace. Jack mentioned those defensive aces, and those can go to another level. The dog that is offensive and lays wood right up until the other guy re-positions, counters, finds a hold, and then that dog switches to that defensive dog in the blink of an eye. Rides til he can lay some wood and back to the offensive side of the ball all the while being in complete control.

It takes a real freak to overcome this and the freaks do not grow on trees. EWO

I agree with everything you said, except that I did not ever say my favorite dogs were "defensive" ... in point of fact they were offensive.

Icon, when he was deep on the head/ear, would have the other dog's head smashed into the side board, would shake/root etc., and would toss/flip the other dogs around like a judo player. Stormbringer and Silverback, when they were on the head/ear, would only be doing so to set you up for a shoot to your throat ... be it from low/down under, or after they wrestled you down with their ear hold.

As a face dog, Missy was only on the face long enough to fracture whatever was in her mouth (muzzle, eye socket, etc.), and slow you down. As soon as you stopped "driving forward," and had the steam taken out of you, Missy would shoot in, up high in the armpit, and just shake/root the bejesus out of you. It wasn't a true finish spot with Missy, but she would DEVASTATE the face ... and after she shook out your front leg/armpit, you weren't walking on it again ... that leg would be a limp, wet noodle. 5 bitches her size had to be picked up in under :12 ... and the one who made it to the :20 mark didn't make it to the next morning.

All of these were extremely strong, very physical dogs ... who just knew that to grab you upside your head like that was "to OWN your ass"

Jack