Kurtridge Mr Frost (aged 14mths) - Page 5

There are many outstanding males, David. Nothing wrong with Jack, GSD2007, and I relished the pics. Preston, we can’t quantify prepotency and allowing for the way that chromosomal reproduction works, of course I calculate genetic transmission by mathematical division – we’ve really got little else to go by (unless, I suppose, we did a detailed gene by gene DNA analysis!) You instead, with respect, seem to rely heavily on pretty or persuasive ‘word pictures.’ I agree with much of what you say, but in the end each partner bestows generally only half of its genes to any progeny. Now, whichever way you split it, a likely 6 percent genetic legacy as here, simply doesn’t justify in my opinion the effusive way you’re hailing Mark’s role. And, in lieu of the way we’re repetitively playing with the same genetic mix, it be surprising if we didn’t regularly come up with animals whose phenotype strongly resembled this or that predecessor, whether they happen to be in a particular dog’s five-generation pedigree or not. I’ve already said that Ice is a good-looking animal and though it’s true that unlike you I’m not one of his more stalwart apologists/promoters (as well as doing a superb job himself!), am sure David is a fine-enough chap; fail to see though how any of this bears on Mark’s influence though! The SV Standard insists dog should be no taller than 65 cm. David has categorically stated that Ice was measured accurately three times at 66 cm. Why do you then personally believe that he’s not oversize? You’ve always held Standard high but suddenly feel we should now start making exceptions? May as well repeat paragraph posted under Ice topic as well: Von Stephanitz had become alarmed at the trend in the breed toward oversized square dogs. Other problems included lack of steady temperament and faults of dentition. He and the breed wardens decided drastic measures needed to be taken. At the 1925 Sieger show von Stephanitz selected Klodo von Boxberg as world sieger. This dog was dramatically different from the type of dog that had gone before him. He was of lower station, deeper and longer in body, short in loin and with a far-reaching gait. As it turned out Klodo proved to be a potent sire, successfully heralding a "new" type of shepherd. Should we now go out of our way to start undermining Max’s fine work because you personally happen to hold David in such high regard? Perhaps we should simply amiably agree to disagree on this one – it would be a dull world indeed if we all saw things the same way!