Anyone on the board qualified to give conformation pointers? - Page 2

gsdlvr2,  sorry Baden is willed to me.  

4pack, He looks good, still looks young which isn't surprising.   When he matures and fills out he will be very impressive.

Mirasmom,

I just read your post! How do get that this dog and the one from the 1920s is the standard?

Here is a link for you to the FCI standard: www.workingdogs.com/standard_fci.htm This standard is very exact. It gives you proportions in % and measurements. I am very curious to hear your opinion. Please let us discuss it. We all have dislikes and likes, but that is not the issue here. You stated that these dogs are the standard and nowadays dogs are not. So, you do want to tell me that millions of people all over the world went wrong, including the FCI and SV?

You do realize that the AKC standard is quite different from the world standard (FCI) do you? Here is the link to the AKC standard: www.akc.org/breeds/german_shepherd_dog/index.cfm So, are you  a breeder of American lines? Although, when reading this standard, you will also realize that these dogs are far removed from that as well.

4pack, sorry for starting that in your dog's thread, but I just can't let statements like that stand without asking for a discussion.

Chris

Unfortunately, here on this board, you can not go and edit your own post.

 The link in my above post is for an abbreviated version of the FCI standard, not the complete one. My apologies! Here is the correct version: germanshepherddog.com/regulations/breed_standard.htm 

Chris

Yes Chris, I wanted FCI standard, could care less about AKC. Thank you very much and yes he does fall forward. I do not know his height. What other angles do you need?

I know they will look at me & say Oh, working type, not show type......
And yes, it's weird going to a show with a dog that's put together well & not crippled,

and seeing the judge, pick the skinny anorexic dog over your's!!!

I am so pissed off right now talking about crippled anorexic dogs (mirasmom)

Ohboy, now I'm woefully confused.  The dogs in the AKC shows have always looked a  little heavy compared to mine and I don't think they even know the difference between working & showline dogs......anorexia is a condition where a painfully thin person thinks they are fat (overly simplistic, but basically true) and starves themselves due to control issues.  How can this apply to dogs? 

4Pack, what I had meant as the wrong angle is the way the photo was taken. The photographer always needs to be positioned in the middle of the back of the dog, going down to the dog's level (never look down) and have the dog standing exactly parallel. That is the only way to judge a dog's conformation from a photo, which is never completely possible. I would always want to see a dog move. There have been dogs looking like VA-candidates on photos but when you see them in person you would be disappointed. I have met skilled handlers who can stack dogs in several different ways that you would never think it is the same dog. There had been an article in the SV magazine about that a few years ago. They showed a dog stacked unnaturally so it really looked roached. The same dog was standing naturally in a different photo and had a completely normal level back. That is why I am careful before I condemn that a dog is a roach back, unless I see him in movement.

I agree with you on the AKC standard. It is worthless to me and the only reason I posted the link is for Mirasmom to compare.

Chris

Oh, about the height. When you have a chance, have him stand in a normal position in front of a white door or wall. then take a pencil and ruler. Lay the ruler across the withers (directly on top of the front legs) and mark the height.

Chris

For what it's worth here is a video. Don't know what you can tell from it. I know it's at different angles and on sand/uneven ground but he walks and trots in different parts. It's the best I can offer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZku3Zb5wJA

Chris thank you, than you,  thank you, for all of the info.

I'm sure not qualified, but I just watched his video and I wanted to say from my prospective he is gorgeous, so perfectly conditioned and very balanced looking to me.

Thanks Sue. Unfortunatly I just measured his giant ass and he is already oversized! Grrrrr 27.75 inches. Holy shit, he is a monster!