Going out on a limb - Page 1

Here is the link to my dog's picture.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/5/455234.html

I am looking for feedback on his conformation. He is 25.5 inches at the withers and weighs about 78#. He is 2 1/2 in the picture. He is well-loved.  He has nice grips and is very clear-headed.  I am not looking to breed him or show him--We are training in Schutzhund.  We are having a blast.  From the front, he is nice and straight, from the rear he is not sickle-hocked.  I have noticed that he does not have the long stride I see in other lines---less hip extension and less reach, I think it is is from decreased angulation both front and rear.  Does this hinder or help his agility in running the blinds or other aspects of movement?

Thanks in advance

Sarah

you are right he doesnt' have a lot of angulation, his front in fact is quite upright - straight shoulder will decrease  his "reaching" movement, and rear angulation is ok but also less than ideal for "long movement" - but who cares, if you are having a blast doing Schutzhund, he is drivey and has nice grips and is clear-headed, he is probably very agile and quick due to his nice medium size - sounds perfect for what you want.  Having a blast is the main priority, who cares about perfect conformation if he's working great for you.  Have fun with him!!!  He is a beautiful dog.

molly

Along a similar note--are there "conformation" types that raise or lower risk of injury in schutzhund and other competitive dog sports?

Nice to see V-Atze vom Zuelpicher See and especially his sire V-Brutus vom Milchborntal in the pedigree. They used to be some of my favorite and admired dogs in Germany. Not much left out of that line!

Good luck with your nice boy!

Chris

Thank you for the responses--does the lack of angulation affect their jumping?  Nandi (Rama Celhaus....) appears to have nice power in the rear.  The picture doesn't show it but he has big head and carries it nicely.  I see some lines with over-angulation with dogs having to hold their heads higher. I can appreciate the size of him.  I see a number of oversized GSD around my area 27" and over 100#.  Tough to be agile at that size.  I am doing the sport of Schutzhund because it fits the needs of my dog--needs an outlet for his drives and energy.  Nandi was 14 months old when I decided to look into the sport.  Had him evaluated and we have been on a great adventure since then. Someone told me "not doing schutzhund with this dog would be a great disservice to him"  Anyway, I feel it is my duty to examine his conformation and determine how best I can work him to prevent injury and have a long productive working career.

 Silbersee: Nandi does have several nice dogs in his pedigree. Nandi's Dam's (Zinna)breeder really likes her lines and combo with Blitz, they are fans of the dogs you mentioned as well as Lord Gleiesdrick. I have heard good things about Bernd Lierburg and I believe Atze/Brutus are linebred on this dog. But you never what you are truly gonna get!!!  Wish I knew more about his lines and specific dogs--but I don't know where to find information that is accurate, relevant, and pertinent

I am very grateful to have Nandi. 

I like all the KNPV in his pedigree!! 

meanderer990: I can certainly appreciate that aspect of Nandi's pedigree too!  I had "0" knowledge of the meaning of those titles before I got Nandi.  In fact I thought they were a breed registry and not working titles!  I also didn't know that KNPV dogs are not usually GSD, but Malinois and the like.  I feel blessed to have him, although I do not feel he can reach his potential because I am such a novice handler at this, but I am giving his training 100% of my effort.  He has some wonderful traits.

Anyway  I think I need to more research and compare his structure with other dogs and lines to understand his movement and build.

Sarah

Sarah, He looks super to me and he has a lot of good hips in his pedigree and I personally like the fact there is no line breeding in his great pedigree.  He is a very solid  beaitiful looking dog  I hope he does well in the sport for you.

Marlene