Size Matters - Page 2

Because the breed was/is meant to be a working dog and as has been pointed out. bigger dogs cannot do the intended jobs as well..  There is no seperate standard for show and working lines.  Bottom line is that a GSD is a GSD no matter what the lines and they need to all be held to one standard.

According to some contacts in Germany a lot of judges have been and are already not recording the sizes 100% accuratly. I will not venture to guess. I have seen several dogs come to the staates and they are oversized and still have a KKL1 which they should not according to the SV rules. I think just because it has already been happening that is the reason why there are so many dogs that are too big. Which in return makes judges almost not have a choice in some instances I whould think. I prefer a smaller dog myself. Not a giant. My first import seemed very small to me in the beginning. However, she was correct, I had just always been around dogs that were too large. So to me, upping the standard size would be a mistake. I also believe that agility, lifespan, soundness and some other things are influenced by size. Exceptions of course are not included in this generalization!

The comment about "specialized  tasks best left to working lines ......" is to me the root of the problem. I still believe that the GSD is a working dog and there are beautiful workingdogs so that to me a pure showline bred showdog is not what I prefer. So why up the standard of a breed for a "branch" of bloodlines that does not truly represent the GSD. Of course that is just my opinion. 

There is ONE standard for the GSD, what you choose to use them for is up to you.

As for bigger dogs being better for protection!

Twaddle!

GSD can actually jump if required! 

It would not suprise me to see the shift out of germany to overlook the size criteria hell they have been destroying the breed test for many years now, The only reason for the changing of the of the test is to allow weaker dogs into the breed registrey= more money in the coffers so hell why not just throw the regs out the window next thing you know the bite work will be judged on how well they bite the kibble out of the dish...  

As far as bitework is concerned, you don't need a big dog to take down a man.  Ever see a good Malinois in action?  Better not blink if you're wearing the sleeve because they can take you to the ground before you can say "Bigger is better". 

I like the bigger shepherds, and some people on this board are going way over themselves. um. hello.

Just because a dog is big doesn't mean they aren't agile and they can't work. More weight they can put into their bite. Just because their weight is high, doesn't mean they're fat. Some people need to get their facts straight and THINK before they post.

I would not want to see the GSD any bigger then the standard. I would even like to see them a bit smaller. I am only saying this in regards to the workinglines. IMO the showlines are getting bigger and bigger. Sad to see I have to say.

The German Shepherd IS a working dog...

No way, there are already dogs out there who are way too big getting through!  I'll take my "small" female anyday over a giant.  She's beautiful and can run circles around them.

Size does matter and Bigger is better!

Oh my bad, you guys are talking dogs.

I do tend to prefer dogs on the larger size myself. If I was looking for an agility prospect I would look for a smaller less boned dog though. I agree with Rebel, I have seen some huge dogs that can move like you wouldn't expect. They are the exception not the rule however and for speed and agility your best chance at getting that, are with a smaller more compact dog. My dog Trick was quite tall but he was fast as hell. He wasn't fat, heavy or big boned, just tall. Could snatch a rabbit , squirrel or  reed rat right off it's feet and keep running. He grew up running behind dirt bikes, my horse and with 26 acres of free rein. Built like a greyhound more than GSD he wasn't good at making fast stops or turns. Flat out you couldn't beat him though.

I know of a Rottweiler 100+ pounds, a APBT 100+ that are rockets on the field and can launch like they sprout wings, into the air and take the decoy down pretty often.