Questions & answers about GSD structure/ conformation - Page 9

hello Ibrahim, this is what I saw in the video that would suggest x rays needed of the elbow. And please understand this is not an attempt at diagnosis, just that exam by a vet may need to be done.

It is obvious in the first frame that Orwell is favoring his left front in standing, the foot is turning out. In movement, he is throwing out at the elbow, as sonora noted.

Is the elbow swollen as compared to the other.

Hopefully, it is just an injury or perhaps even pano, which usually clears up. How old is Orwell.

best,
Rik

 Rik,

Orwell was born on August 30, 2009. That makes him 16 months. I called my vet and I am taking both Orwell and Erri to him tomorrow first thing in the morning.
Thanks
Ibrahim

You can not tell what is wrong from the videos.
 You need to x ray the dogs.
It could be an soft tissue injury or it could be joint problem.
Here are the questions :
1.how long do you have the dogs in their current run.
2. what is the surface in the run.
3. what is the weather. did it rain recently.
4. how long are they displaying the problem.
Prager Hans
http://www.alpinek9.com

 Prager,

1. They are in these runs since they were puppies.
2. All my dogs have runs on natural ground added to it fine sand like that at beaches. their houses are made of reinforced concrete, room size is 2.0X1.5X1.5 meters (lengthXwidthXheight), with a rug on top of 5 cm polythelene board insulation. 
3. In the last week we had lots of rain.
4. In regards to Erri I noticed he had this problem 3 days ago.
5. In regards to Orwell I do not know, since I only noticed it after Sonora brought my attention to it upon seeing the video.

I will add: Erri and Orwell are doing sheep herding in mountaneous grounds with natural agricultural land, with lots of small and big rocks.


Ibrahim

 Okay I made x rays and comments I got do not suggest there is anything wrong in the elbows. I think we can proceed to GSD type, I have no specific questions, so let us hear from you about the type.

Ibrahim

 Let's hear about type.
Ibrahim

Hi,
The reason I suggested we discuss ,TYPE , with regards to German Shepherd Dogs, is simply because
I find that some find it difficult to define.

What does overall type means?When we read in the critique , very typey, what  does it mean ?

 I see typey is used by judges in a dog critique and by the knowledgeable here on this forum when critiquing a dog. Sometimes it is linked  with the male or female secondary sex characteristics.I see the word typey being used by breeder's when talking about a stud meaning he produces his type.
Some outstandig studs stamp certain marks on their offspring and made what is called a line like for example Zamp. Some guys claim they recognize a zamp offspring by the head. Other studs mark their bone size, head size, working ability, nerves etc. 

What I personally think it means when used by a judge is this:
Type refers first to type of sex, male or female, meaning he looks male and has the good characteristics of male, secondary sex characteristics, head shape and size and overall expression, or she looks feminine in secondary sex characteristics, head shape and size and overall impression. 


Ibrahim

hello Ibrahim, I think you have a good understanding of "type". I don't know of an official definition of type.

To me, it is the recognizable characteristics that tell you  the dog you are looking at is a GSD. A "very typey" or "loaded with type" is the dog you can't stop looking at. 

Type was not a high priority in the game I played. Just side gait and front extension. If you look at the pic of my female AKC Ch. Trieste (in other thread), this is a dog that I do not consider having strong type. Head is not strong, color is poor.

I am still novice with the German s/l, but to me, it seems that "type" is a primary consideration. The winning dogs all have good color, strong sex characteristics, good bone and coats. The German s/l  puppy in my avatar I consider "very typey" or "loaded with type".

best,
Rik

I was going to add my ha'penny worth to this yesterday but waited till I could find this quote from Malcolm Willis which is hard to better:

"Before closing this chapter it is essential to mention 'type' which is a much used word in canine circles, frequently misused and more frequently misunderstood. Type is not about colour, nor is it about size. A 66cm dog and a 60cm dog could be of different colours, are clearly of different size, and yet could be identical in type.

Type is about proportions. The relationship of body length to height at wither, the length of muzzle relative to skull, chest depth to height, upper arm to scapula, and many other relationships and proportions are all features of type and must be understood.

The so-called Bristish Alsation of the 1980s & 1990s is of incorrect type because it has proportions which do not match up with those laid down in the Standard. It is, thus, of a different type to the international kind of GSD seen throughout Europe, South Africa, Australia & Britain.

A judge may prefer a 62cm high male to a 66cm male, but if they are to be 10.9 then there body lengths must be 68.9 & 73.3cm respectively. Despite their size differences they are, in this aspect of proportion, of identical type. Whether they were overall of identical type would depend upon other proportions. Until you can understand proportions in the GSD, you cannot understand type."

Although not mentioned in the above I'm also assuming that a dogs temperament, character & abilities can (& should) also be judged in relation to 'type'.

AandA