First and Foremost !! - Page 2

I'm not sure any of these traits are anymore important than the other. Seems to me that they should all be given equal consideration as one is only as good as the other allows it to be.

As much as I emphasize the importance of the GSD Stable/Adaptable Temperament. I still beleive you must first have Health, What good is a good Temperament on a "dead dog" Same could be said for Drive, what good is the strongest drive without the Stable Temperament. Great Comments !! :-)

I should add, it's hard not to agree with Blitzen and Desert Ranger !! The above traits should all be present, and should compliment each other. But would still have to stick with Health Temperament Ability :-)

I would rather have a stable, reliable, strong nerved dog for 5 years, then a basket case of nerves and unpredictable behavior for 15 yrs. JMO. Temperment is first on my list, with health a close second, the conformation a close third. Theresa

The defining feature of a GS to me is temperament.And that means a wide spectrum of temperaments from herding to police and everything in between. A shepherd with good temperament can be injured/unhealthy and still save somebodies life or attempt to protect the sheep or lead the visually impaired person. A german shepherd without temperament is not a german shepherd to me. See, the dog is not manifest or created for his/her looks, it was created to do work. And if it can't work to me it is not a GS. In a perfect world I want all three and that's what we strive for.

I define ability as having the working drives for high quality police work from a young age until very old. To have this a dog must have proper temperament and good health. Having said that the ultimate trait for every GSD should be the ability to produce these traits in their progeny. Robin

I think I did not clearly define Health, If you have dogs with heart issues, thus dies at 6 weeks old, does not save anyone from anything at six weeks old. That is my point on Health, The dogs have to have some kind of good Health before anything else "can" follow!! KlatolklinK9 Excellent Point, Progeny !!

Robin--- You are definately on the right track---- Prepotence is an awesome attribute---- aided always, I might add, by PRAYER! Morgan