Westminster dog show - Page 3

Mseebran, I had to look in the show catalogue and I believe the dog is CH Andaka-Zederlands U R It CD RN, a son of CH Andaka-Zederlands Keno UD HS OA and Silverhills Sumthin Special. I liked his build, evidence of some drive, and the way that he moved. As I said, I liked the boy and considered him to be the most correct American show line type that I have ever seen. He was Nr. 7 in the Westminster catalogue. You can see some photographs of him at this link: http://members.aol.com/andaka/tagfile.htm I exammined his pedigree and he is heavily inbred on Stuttgart's Sundance Kid; still the leading AKC ROM sire of all time. Essentially, one-quarter of this dog's pedigree is identical to one (1) dog and one (1) bitch that I own. My others are West German working-line and West German show-line bitches. Bob-O

I think the Rebel has a point about the oversized length of certain rear leg bones. I never examined one of the these dogs to determine the issue of correct length proportional relationship (you usually can't see the issue because the hocks are on the ground) of the pastern-hock-tibia, but it certainly makes sense. An incorrect hock length will definately compound the stress of the cantilever relationship of the pastern-hock-tibia bones and cause a hopping gait to lift the foot clear from the ground. The "butt-dragging" build definately has no rear strength and the body must rely on the front legs to pull around the dog. This dog cannot jump or trot all day, as the German Shepherd was bred to do. I think that it is this part of the breed standard that is not observed by AKC judges, just as the banana back does not seem to be an issue with S.V. judges. We long ago wrecked the standard on both sides of the Atlantic for our dog, and only through correct outcross breeding will ever return the one (1) dog to one (1) standard. Bob-O

DIdn't anyone notice in the video how almost all the gsd's drag thier back toes when they are trotting? How long would a dog like that last herding all day in a feild ....not long before thier was blood! Sadly, I am also seeing this more in the german showline dog. In some areas, I think that the 'type' of the american line dog and the type of the german showline dog are actually starting to look simular. Now...is this because the american line breeders are breeding more moderate or the german showline breeders are breeding more angulated? I think both.

Chey, Good point. I think we are all trying to make our favourite dog something it was never meant to become. I don't remember who mentioned the dogs of the 50's, but those were correct dogs before the GSD craze caught on in the U.S. during the mid 1950's and the German and American puppy mills started cranking out poorly-bred GSD's. Of course this was followed with the AKC and the S.V. continually redefining their own breed standard judging programme. I received a new GSDCA magazine a couple of months ago, and on the cover was a picture taken during the 1950's of that year's champion dog and bitch. Beautiful dog and bitch-so much like a brother and sister that I presently own from a successful outcross breeding. The dog and bitch in the picture were so much like the dogs that I remember from my childhood in Germany; that suddenly I was again a young boy seeing the dogs that I remembered from so long ago. I could even remember their names, and I do not know how many years have passed since I really thought about them-probably thirty (30) years or more. I will always believe in one (1) standard for one (1) dog. A correct and healthy dog who fulfills the dream of Max von Stephaniz and the rest of us. The picture on the magazine was a tearjerker. My childhood dogs from so long ago- der Rolf und die Cheri. Bob-O

Incidentally, I mentioned the old-fashioned dogs. But I want to correct you a bit - there was no GSD "craze" as such in the '50s - that had long ago occurred in the '20s and '30s, thanks to Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart on the screen. It looks like it wasn't until ~1970 that apparently Americans stopped bothering w/German/Euro dogs and started going all stretchy by themselves. Of course, 1 might look at the dogs of Euro ~1970 and see that many were starting to get the roach back and some oversized bodies and (hanging) heads. Perhaps that's why. I don't know which came 1st. I agree about that wonderful '50s GV photo. Gorgeous dogs. In some ways I want to slap the GSDCA Powers That Be for having the gaul to print this (as well as talk about working) when they stray so far, yet OTOH maybe it's a sign they are recognizing other types. 1 thing I'd REALLY like in the GSD Review - MEMBER LETTERS. Ever notice how they've NEVER had member letters? Heavens any1 should comment on the dogs or work or shows or judging.