Opinion - Page 1

I was wondering if some of you in the know could please give me a bit of a critique on my boy.
He is my first GSD and I'm not too good on the one rear leg forward thing so if the stance may not be correct plus I think he's a bit posted in front.
Also does anyone know if there's a way to get incorrect photos off the server?
 
Thanks for your time and input.

Franki

Franki

You will probably get all kind of opinions - mine being the least valuable.  But you are much braver than I am, as I have never and will never do what you have done.  It is not that what you have done is wrong its just that what diference does it make how your dog stands. 

My dogs are great working dogs and one is DDR the other is mostly DDR so the show people would not like them.

But when I look at your dog.   I see a dog that is your dog - train him - he will lay his life down for you.  Why?  He is a GSD and he is your's.

Tuff 

Tuff,
I'm a SL person, and I have a DDR young female & co-own another.......some of us just love the breed...period.
Personally.......I love a handsome, strong & solid temperament dog...no matter what the lineage.
...yep...even the SLs.

Do I take from your reply that he's not a very good representative of the breed?

Yes he is my dog and I love him unconditionally but I do have his SchH1 working on his 2, and he has his AD and a few AKC temperament test titles.

I was hoping to get him into a breed survey and wondering what to expect, which is why I put him up here first to get a few opinions from people that know the breed.

Franki

They're not actually saying there is anything wrong with him, but showline people can't really evaluate working lines dogs. In fact, in working lines dogs, nobody really cares whether the dog is perfect,  but sound and healthy are definitely good! Your dog looks structurally fine, but I would reserve judgment until I saw him work. That's why working lines people do better with videos...the only thing that bothers me about his structure is his rather long back. Other than that he looks nice. Pretty head, sturdy bone, angulation adequate for a working lines dog! He looks nice! He also looks old fashioned, but god help me, don't make me explain what I mean by that.

Franki,

No harm intended. But stance tells me nothing.  It can be manipulated to make a dog look workable but not have any working ability.  So, it is true, a video of him working is much better.

Good luck if you choose the show route. 

Tuff

Franki,

All previous posters I know are knowledgableI but were politely conservative, more than I will be but I believe you deserve to hear a frank opinion and you are mature enough to live with it. I am not a professional like many on this board, I know a little and this little tells me your dog lacks in conformation in regards to less angulation in rear also the back shows a lower area in middle, lower than withers and beginning of croup (loin) combined with a relatively long back which hopefully does not weaken the topline in regards to working (athletic) ability. As I hear from experts a working dog may not be as well conformed as a SL as what matters really is its character and working ability over most and that you must know about him better than any of us.

Regards
Ibrahim

 I think he is a REALLY nice looking dog. He is the exact type of male that I would breed too.  It's nice to see there are still old style german shepherds out there working!!

Of course, I love the old style shepherds with the straighter topline; less angulation in rear; no roach back; and good bone.

I would take him in a heart beat...... :-) :-)

But, that's just me and to each his own!!  

I give him 2 thumbs up!!  Good luck with him!!

Franki,

I'm no expert.  Let's get that out of the way first off.  But I know when I like something or when I find it "balanced" and I like this dog.  He could be stacked better and give a better profile but we all understand how tough it can be to get that good shot if you don't have 3 people working at getting the dog just right.  If his rear was properly positioned I don't think his back would look overly long.  It appears strong to me.  I think it would the croup would appear correct as well in a proper stack.  His front needs to be under him a little more and that would improve the angle of his shoulder which appears to be a bit straight, the forearm a bit short.  He has a beautiful head with good expression and ears and his color is very nice.  He has a good strong neck flowing nicely into a good deep chest.  He has plenty of bone and strong, well formed feet.  I actually like this boy, a lot.  I think you would get a very good rating in a survey provided you have taught him how to move out well in front of you.  He really needs to be able to reach out with that front end and drive hard with the rear.  A well trained dog that moves out well can place before a better built dog that hasn't been properly trained.  Be sure to work on your proper stack, having him move well out and pulling you around the ring and getting used to someone putting their hands on him.  If he hasn't been shot over in a while do that too.  It shows a lack of respect to the judge if you do not take the time to get him ring ready and you do your dog a disservice.   Does he have all of his teeth?  If you don't know, have someone check that for you.

I say go for it! I don't think you will be disappointed.
Let us know how it turns out.
Deb

I think he's gorgeous.