acceptable faults? - Page 2

Every dog will have some kind of minor fault & it's better to see it than have kennel blindness, & not replicate it.  I totally agree with duke1965 & darlehret. Also agree with Myret about allergies / ear infections / digestive issues.
No reason to breed a unhealthy GSD their are plenty of them out there to choose from for better breed stock. Also would not comprise on over all stable temperament, a working / pet dog is nothing with out his health & temperament.
A GSD should be a working dog so should have decent working drives, a lack of such I would not include in my breeding either.  I also look for over all sound structure for a working GSD, but not as concern with minor color / structural faults as long as it won't effect long term joint / back health or deter dog from working. Example; coat or eye color, lack of angelation, slightly to tall / short, etc  

"...there are enough great dogs around with good hips and elbows , so why even think about breeding dogs with mediocre ratings?"

Exactly.

hank that is very well stated. i tryed to get that across on my post. i have seen and read and watched dogs being bred because of titles. where did all the prodgney go. hell you will see matings done that you can look at the pedigree and wonder why in the devil did they do that? he had good hips and a sch1 title.
 when people relize that ,as hank said, that not one dog living is perfect.
 live with it,learn about it. strive to breed the bast quality dog you can. keep the working dog alive and not destroy it with this title and perfect dog BS.

posting error - please try again.

 

My biggest pet peeve are those that make way too much of eye color, crooked tails, or perhaps a missing molar.  All are faults and are very important but not necessarily disqualifying features.

von Stephanitz covers this topic in detail in the GSD Bible with the following guidelines:

 Shepherd dog nature and expression            20   marks
 General Appearance                                    15   marks
 Gait                                                           15   marks (yes gait is important)
 Bones and Muscles                                      10   marks
 Back                                                          7,5  marks
 Hindquarters                                              7,5   marks
 Forelegs                                                     7,5  marks
 Chest                                                         7,5  marks
 Head                                                          5    marks
 Hair                                                            5    marks

Of course you should read this section as he does go into more detail on how to apply these guidelines and why they are important.

The shepherds I work with today seem to really be lacking in even temperment. To me, it shouldnt matter what arena the dog is working in, their temperment should be stable, not aggressive, shy. I had a slovak import last year that I lost to a health problem at 6 that had a wonderful temperment. Hips are a starting point. Pancreatic insufficiancy, ibs, allergies, cryptorchid etc etc etc kill the relationship between an owner and the dog.

The problems I have found over the years is that most breeders are not too forthcoming when it comes to sharing these issues with buyers. If breeders were more forthcoming, then wouldnt be a need to guarantees. You would know what you were buying up front with eyes wide open.

KEITH, NAME SOME OF THE GREAT DOGS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. I MAY BE INTERESTED IN BREEDING TO ONE OR 2 OF THEM. NOW THEY CAN'T HAVE ANY FAULTS IN THEIR ANCESTORY,