Please Critique my dog - Page 2

You can't do anything about his bone structure, he is what he was born with :) - I would like to see him with stronger bone, as it is he is slightly "refined" in bone for the size of his body and that's not 'bad" just an observation.   It is possible he will look better when he is in better condition and loses  maybe 2-3 lbs of weight (which is all he would need to lose, he is not "fat". 

More exercise - long hikes with him running and walking alternatively, best exercise for his condtioning is long trots.  If you have a bike, that is excellent - go just fast enough that he is trotting out at a good long stride and about 7-10 mph.  Swimming is excellent - throw the ball down a long hill so he runs up it - remember all conditioning work should be built up gradually so he doesn't pull a muscle or hurt himself.  Reduce his food on the days he doesn't get heavy exercise, increase it on days he does.

molly

I'm far from a being a specialist.

But in my opinion he's handsome, good hindquarters, good slope on back. Good pigment and over all a good looking dog.

Then again finding an ugly GSD is a difficult task.

I disagree with him needing to lose weight. Just muscle him up better.

Use swimming, and biking, skinnier is a big no no from me.

Thanks for the comments. Please keep them coming. Yeah i will keep conditioning him gradually so that he builds muscle. Molly thanks for the tip on feeding. Thanks escobar for the comments. I agree with you that it is hard to find a gsd that is ugly cos for me they all look good

Thanks Again,

Mav

Hi Maverick13,

I find his stance is ok , execpt in some minor areas as mentioned by others. I would not be concerned about it.

When I take in the overall picture ,If find there are areas of greater concern.(please do not take offence ) The areas I'm talking about is      a )  The proportions - I would prefer more length. (could be the photo ). b)  the depth of chest - The depth of chest looks a bit deep. c)The bone - Is fine (should be stronger )  taking into consideration the size of dog  . I could be wrong maybe others can comment on these   areas as well.  

My critique would be as follows :                                                                                                                                                                Above medium to large dog , in witch I would prefer slighty more length and stronger  bone . Strong head where markings could be stronger. High withers,  good back  with a short and steep croup. showing a clean topline. Good front angulations showing a slighty steep upperarm ,  and correct hind angulations . The fore chest is well developed , but the depth of chest is slighty more than it should be. The underline could be better , with a better tuck up.                                                                   

He's pretty near perfect in this photo.  He's a gorgeous representation of the breed.  I agree the only issue with the stack is moving his feet so they are under his body more...no big deal, really.  He's a nice, nice boy!  Please post his pedigree :-)

Thanks Sue-Ann, I will post his pedigree up soon. I will definitely try and take a better pic of him and then put up his pedigree.

Thanks Again,

Mav

head shots at 13 months taken with my phone. don't have anything new at the moment but will take some over the weekend. what do you guys think

I don't know what kind of eval you need, but if you are planning on going for KK1 you would probably find it helpful to talk to an experienced breed warden, breeder or handler or SV type Judge for help with evaluating him. I can't remark about your dog's movement or temperament, but only his appearance in the photos. Very nice male type (better than 90% of the w. german showlines today). Excellent back conformation, short back, short loin, adequate angles. Very correct proportions (rare today anywhere). Nice tail set and tail. Could be just a little bit steep in croup. Do I like his looks? Most definitely. Would I ever be proud to own a GSD like this? Most definitely. No photo tells the whole story. Any minor faults he may have can be managed with proper exercise, conditioning, training and expert handling. Most V dogs have some minor issues. Could your dog eventually go KK1 and V? If his joints are good, his temperament good, and his movement is good. Nice dog, congratulations.

A friend of mine once bought a georgeous young import male who appeared perfect from the side in every way.  He had one serious movement fault that prevented a koerklasse and thus he  could not be shown.  Otherwise this dog would have easily gone high V or VA in the NASS (USA).  My friend sold this dog as a pet and told the buyer he should not be bred and could not be shown.  The buyer convinced himself from studying photos of great GSDs taht his dog was certainly justs as good (and he was except for being cowhocked) and was planning to start training for Sch so he could have him koerklassed and shown.  My friend talked him into having the dog looked at by a breed warden who came to judge a show.  The breed warden told him the truth and the new owner was disappointed, but he liked the dog so much he kept him as a family pet to live in the house with his kids.  He was the best looking pet GSD I ever have seen.  The point is, sometimes a certain flaw not easily visible to the novice like being bad coming or going will prevent the dog from breed surveying at the KK1 level.  Did this make the dog any less worthwhile as an attarctive good acting pet, absolutely not.  The conformation ring is a tough game at many levels.