SIZE RANGE (GERMAN STANDARD) - Page 2

Sugarfoot, you are a rude person.

What height were your dogs when surveyed, Sugarfoot?

For as long as I can remember there has always been discussion regarding the problem with size. Yet the big dogs are no bigger now than their counterparts of some 25yrs ago. In 1982 i had a male who stood at exactly 65cm, but he was a leggy athletic type of dog. His Sire at the time was an outstanding producer of type, although small and a slightly fine dog himself, he regulary produced very strong, males who were much bigger than himself (with the help of the bitch of course :-) ) Another son of this sire was in the same age group as my dog, he carried much more coat than mine and therefore did not look as leggy or as athletic in stature. Don't get me wrong he was a beautiful dog and to me a more glamourous dog to look at and overall better constructed than mine, but he stood at 67cm. Nevertheless, if a dog was chosen to be measured it was always mine, simply because to the eye of most he just looked bigger because of his leggy athletic appearance. The handler of the other dog always made sure he was not stood near mine before the individuals. I can't count how many times my dog was pulled out second to this one and in my opinion rightly so, but could never accept why judges always measured my dog at a show and yet never measured the other!! My point is two fold. Not all small dogs produce small dogs anymore than big dogs always produce big. We are now 25yrs further on and still the majority of dogs measure somewhere between 65cm to 67cm and the size debate still goes on just the same. Finally, evolution moved on as did nutritional knowledge and the fact that since humans are better fed, cared for and housed, their size has increased. I suggest the same could be said for the GSD as well as other species. Someone once said to me, you feed your puppies too well it will only make them turn into big dogs. I said what are you suggesting, that I should starve them instead? Regards Sue B

Hey, you kids above , behave -- My nephews have the same parents - One is 5'6" the other is 6'5 -- They both ATE the same stuff !! It's in the Genes, no ? I always go the dogs like the Afghan since they are so darn OLD, when we talk about changes and evolution and nutrition. How old are they, 6,000 years -- they haven't changed much at all, have they ? I don't want modern technology to be the reason (excuse) to monkey with the GSD STANDARD) too many people are alreay trying to go there, and I can't hold them all back by myself - We are a long way from dogs of the 60's even, and I would hope the changes have been on improvements. But many dogs are bigger - and as stated above -- funny how they're all the same size at measuring time. No Sugar I don't imagine you can wear a dog down to have him be smaller but it's an interesting question, for sure. In the early 80's my friends couldn't get points on a 24 1/2 inch bitch because she was TOO BIG -- 2 or 3 years later - she was just right -- go figure --- We go through cycles, for sure, and I know the beloved and highly respect German contingent is concious of this and if size seems to be getting out of hand they "give the points" as it were (VA's) to more correctly sized dogs or dog's they feel will not continue to work their way into the breeding program of SHILOH SHEPHERDS or the like. At least, I hope so, that is what I go to sleep thinking. At least they seem to care far more than the American stuff in our show rings -- Funny, the rest of the world, has BASICALY the same dog - and we have this other thing! How many more times do I have to get caught saying that's a nice bitch, but kinda big - and it's a MALE !! oH, I'm on a rant - sorry - this was about SIZE !! wELL, they need to have MALES that have the proper SIZE head's for starters !! Ciao - y'all.

Hi Pineridge, Sue B’s comment about good food and ‘life of ease’ is very relevant - animals in wild go through natural periods of famine and surfeit. Extensive studies to do with human population groups proves conclusively that increase/decrease in height here is directly related to periods of ease/hardship in lifestyle. German Breeders are intensely aware of size problem – and Brokers worldwide happily flog dogs too big as being of perfect, of course! (AM market seems perfect!) Yeah, running dog into ground to reduce height is absurd – guess what, its actually tried! Cheers & Ciao.

I hate conversions. LOL I wish we'd all just switch to one system, English or Metric. American lines seem to breed for this HUGE size (over 100 pounds on an adult male GSD) and be PROUD of it. Sadly, this just adds to the whole hip dysplasia problems with these poor dogs. You can only breed them so large before you start producing structure problems. German Shepherds were not meant to look like Mastiff's. Just my opinion.

My 9 month old GSD, from Slovak and Czech lines weighted in yesterday at 88.6lbs. The vet found no health issues, no hip or elbow problems, and no glad problems and he is definatly not overweight. Not an ounce of fat on him! I havent had him surveyed, so no idea how tall he stands. Its kinda strange, as his sire is only 89lbs and the dam is probably about 65-70lbs. My dog weighed 67lbs 2 months ago, so its a steady growth. He is by far the biggest in the litter. The vet said by 20 months, he should weigh around 130-140lbs! ! ! ! ! This is him: http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/423266.html If someone with more knowlage than me would look over his bloodline and perhaps give me an idea of where his size is coming from, i'd much appreciate it!

Just measured my bitch at one week shy of sixth months old she is 23.5 inches. Don't have a current weight on her she is nicly toned from running the mountain trails. she is solid but not packing weight.

When discussing size people tend to forget that the standard has changed over the years. The standard before the current one was: 62 1/2cm for males 57 1/2cm for females 2 1/2cm above or below was allowed. Straying too far from either was considered to reduce the dogs working and breeding value. If memory serves me right, the original standard had: 60cm for males 55cm for females

62 1/2cm for males 57 1/2cm for females that was considered the ideal size...