maybe its just me - Page 1

Maybe it's just me and I am being ornery, but I saw this ad:

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/classifieds/63520.html

and the first thing that popped into my mind upon seeing this girl was  she looks like a volkswagon.  compare her pic to a newer model bug or beetle and you will see simularities with their toplines.

All I can say is WOW! : )

She is very close to the standard and one awesome looking bitch.

I would agree, she has awesome pigment and a nice head, but being close to the standard, let alone a top show female, I don't think so.  The written standard, whether it is FCI, AKC or any other registry calls for a level topline.  her topline is not level and never will be.  her mid back is higher than even her withers.

Beautiful dog, beautiful picture but it does not make her correct.

She is a beautiful girl, don't get me wrong! and she will probably place high into shows, but just because that is what judges are putting up, does not make it correct.  I am seeing more and more showlines with a more natural, level topline, but there are still too many with bent spines that are deemed acceptable.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/126254.html

Viernheimi Urma, VA Yasko, VA Larus, all nice level toplines.

Looks like about every other showline dog I've seen. That's right, that's what the judges are putting up.  Overall, I think she's a lovely bitch with beautiful pigment and excellent expression.

that pic wasn't as clear as those on their website...

she may be a bit overbuilt in the back causeing a slight break in the topline @ the shoulder.  The black jacket made it hard to see where the topline ended and the topline began.   She is a nice strong looking bitch though, but would probably set up better if she were set a bit more squarely.  stretching out the rear leg only excentuates the topline.  Love her coloring though, and her head/ears are to die for...  *chuckle* as I've said I always liked dogie bitches

I agree, a bitch with very nice pigment, but I do not like the top line. As an old German once told me, "you must be able to rest a stein on the back of your dog and not have it fall off, then your dog has correct topline."

I have to agree with what DeesWolf's saying, I am old school and don't like what judges are putting up today.  This is not the worse I have seen, but this does affect gaiting, and other things.  The Shepherd is a trotting dog, would love to see a video of this dog moving.  There is an ad on here of a dog in the ring going away from the camera and it looks like a crab trotting it has such a hunched ba.ck I feel sorry for it

We all like what we like, and know that the standard is the standard, like everything in this life, we all interpret it differently.

Rebecca