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by Athreya on 25 December 2006 - 10:12
What is the best age of puppy at which one can check for structural conformity. I read somewhere that at 8 weeks the pup will show same proportions as it would as an adult. This was an article related to rotts does this hold good for GSd also?
by Badpuppy on 25 December 2006 - 10:12
I would say 5 weeks, 7 weeks, and again at 8 or 9 weeks.
by wagonmaster on 25 December 2006 - 12:12
6 weeks.
by Bob-O on 25 December 2006 - 12:12
I understand that nine (9) weeks is the magic age for GSD puppies.
Of course structural conformity can be seen earlier in some areas, especially the skulls. Myself, I have observed at all ages and have been able to make rough determinations at the age of six (6) weeks and final determinations at nine (9) weeks when the puppy is larger and easier to stack while someone else takes the pictute.
Bob-O
by jdh on 25 December 2006 - 17:12
Bear in mind that puppy evaluations are still just an estimate of adult conformation. At 7 weeks I believe to be very good, as we do not always have the opportunity to do it later. This being said, changes can still occur. Best Wishes, Jonah
by Bob-O on 25 December 2006 - 17:12
Agreed, Jonah. A puppy goes through many changes from birth to the first year of age, and usually with some minor improvement in some areas. The determination, or perhaps "good guess" at nine (9) weeks has some value, but in the big picture does not tell the true future.
The "pick" puppy does not always mature to be the best.
Good input,
Bob-O
by Athreya on 25 December 2006 - 18:12
Thanks a lot everyone.
The GSD changes so much. I have seen what seemed to be promising pups grow up to be very ordinary and some very ordinary pups change to be quite good.
Wish you all a merry christmas and thanks.
Manoj Sherman
by Lenny on 25 December 2006 - 18:12
Six weeks is not good, there are too many changes especially in the rear quarter between 6 and 8 weeks. If you are keeping a puppy for show the first evaluation should be done at 8 weeks and the next evaluation should be done at 4 months. Ninety percent of the time what they are at 4 months they will return to at 12 months.
by jdh on 26 December 2006 - 01:12
Quite correct, Bob-O,
I have seen heads develop very late, and had a female who was best of a very good litter at every early check point, but by 1yr had become rather stretched, while her sister had retained excellent proportions and surpassed her in overall conformation. It has been stated before that there are no guarantees with a pup. Best Wishes, Jonah
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