Constructive criticism - Page 1

 

 

Realizing that American lines are not well thought of on this forum I would still like your honest opinions of my boy-I was not quick enough with the camera to catch him in a natural stack; he's 5 months old, showing plenty of nerve and drive-very loving, very independent, super intelligent.

for CC, I would go to a SV style conformation event. The judge will give you a verbal description of your beloved dog. I would go visit a few training clubs in your area [ without the dog] . See what group best fits what you would like to accomplish with your dog and jump in! have fun! 

I think he is a very nice looking boy.

   Is he American lines, or American bred?  B7g difference, IMO

Plus, keep in mind that here on this forum, there are far more willing to give destructive criticism, esp with any type of showline.

    Anyway, nice pup you have, I am sure you will enjoy him whatever you do with him.

Not the kind of skilled critique you'll get from Ibrahim :))))

....but this is what I see ,,,Handsome masculine head with a nice ear set and a thoughtful, soft expression :))) nicely balanced with good bone, tight feet and a beautiful coat. Sturdy little guy and quite good looking in my opinion ,,,enjoy him 

 

Contact me privately here. I'll help you get a critique on him from ASL breeders and judges. An SV judge isn't going to be of any help to you.

CC ; look to all venues! A wise man learns from every one, A fool from no one. A picture is worth a thousands words? but would you buy a car from a picture? Find a spouse? Get involved and then evolve.

Thank you for your comments thus far-please be aware I am not a rank beginner in the dog world-I've trained tracking/trailing for SAR, Obedience, dabbled in Agility, Rally and Schutzhund-I've attended (not competed) National & Regional Trials & Shows.

kitkat3478 he was bred here in the states-I have his extended AKC pedigree-he does have a tad of German blood-whether working or showlines I could not tell . . .   He does have many features of the American bred German Shepherd-he's my third such individual-I have liked every thing I have seen out of this boy thus far-especially his conformation.

Ruger1-thank you, that is the type of constructive cristicism I am seeking.

Even negative criticism is beneficial when presented correctly and I do not expect those individuals that are not fans of American to fall head over heels for him but they might actually present some thoughtful imput.

Blitzen will be pming you shortly-thanks.

Deb

CC; I am glad to hear you are no novice. A SV Judge will critique your dog's conformation verbally and compare him to the other dogs in his class. You might meet like-minded- owners and create a bond in the breed. The SV program has S&R training as well as tracking, obedience, and protection training.

You're welcome. Will talk to you more privately. This isn't the best venue to discuss show lines, especially American ones.  

No fan of US 'show dogs' from ambred lines going back on the FranJo etc dogs;  I am in the

UK and far more used to offering critiques centred in European lines and SV practices.  Which

usually means I only bother to offer comment on working-line dogs on here, as far as the

American owned / handled / bred GSDs are concerned.   There does seem to be some

coming-together of the two 'sides' nowadays, however;  especially with the advent of

'SV' style competitions including showrings, and the continuing reliance on imported

German-bred & other eastern European breeders for foundation stock.  Not entirely sure

[having said all that] that I can offer you much in the way of "thoughtful input", for the

following reasons:

Critiqueing a dog is only FULLY possible when you have the real live dog in front of you

to watch, touch, assess.  There really is not too much useful to be gained from still

photographs.

If you are going to attempt a partial 'critique' from a picture (or pictures), it is always worth

pointing out to the owner seeking the opinions that they will be MINUS a lot of important

details - movement; dentition; temperament; a proper assessment of quality of coat; and

some things like pigment, while ostensibly seen in a photo, can actually look deeper OR

paler in 'real life'.

With these 3 photographs, as you note yourself, the lack of at least an attempt at a show

stance - or even a natural stack - is very much a hindrance in assessing this pup's structure.

 

Also, at 5 months, your puppy is a bit young to assess / describe properly.  Although there are

opportunities to show (off) younger dogs,  six months tends to be more or less universal

for pitting pups against each other and/or the GSD Standard in a Ring.  Judges, even of

6 month olds & up, have to make quite a few guesses and allowances for the things that

can develop and change over the future passage of time as the dog matures.

 

Your middle pic. shows just how "puppyish" your dog still is, 3Shep2.  A lot of muscle-

growth and general tightening up of ligaments to go, yet.   And he might therefore yet go

through quite some changes before adulthood.   Having said that, yes he does look fairly

'sturdy' for his type;  he has a nice healthy looking coat, and I quite like his head and facial

expression.  He looks as though he is curious and bright, two good GSD qualities !  At this

age IMO he should not look too 'finished' and mature, anyway - they often go "off the boil"

and become rather mediocre adults when they are too good, too soon.

 

Some posters will say "Well we know all that about critiques from photos, we'll take that as

read" ... but then go on to act as though the limited amount which can be said is the be-all

and end-all;  so it always bears repeating (and may educate some complete novices).

 

Take heed of advice from Blitzen, she knows more about the US Show scene than many on

here, and she knows and appreciates GSDs in an all-round capabilities sense.  Good luck 

with him; do ask again when he's a few months older, you might get more informative comments.

 

Linda.