Testing Nerves - Page 2

Sorry for the typo, I meant Herding.

I am sure she is a nice pet.  Her pedigree is non remarkable in the first couple generations and unknown on the top.  Her color is not rich.  A bit long in the body.  None of which matters for a nice pet.  There is nothing indicating that her pups would be a good contribution to the gene pool.  Look in the Ohio shelters, they are full of GSDs.  Most bred by people with pets to be pets.  Enjoy your dog, spay her and have fun with her. 

If you want to breed down the road - train this female.  Study the standard, learn what it means, go to clubs - wherther Obedience, tracking or schutzhund - which is the test for breeding character and quality even though it is a sport too, and spend a few years learning pedigrees and what works.  Do these activities with this female, learn from her both the good and the bad and THEN - get a female who is an outstanding example of the breed and train it in at least obedience, tracking and herding.  Make sure beyond any reasonable doubt that the female IS a female who will contribute to the breed by meeting the standard in temperament, conformation, trainablity and character.  Then go to a male who is also outstanding.  

 There's an organization, the American Temperament Test Society, that tests temperament and is open to all breeds.  It's not as tough a test as Schutzhund, but it will give you a basis of your dog's character.  Here are the statistics for German Shepherds, from its website http://www.atts.org/:

I've put dogs through.  It's interesting to see the Labs, when faced with the suspicious stranger, deliberately position themselves between the stranger and their masters.  The shepherds and malinois react more forcefully, of course, but some dogs, which have no breeding at all to defend their masters, will willingly place themselves in perceived danger to shield the master they adore.

These tests are few and far between, but there is a schedule on the website.

Micky

There's also the Swedish Mentaltest, a more in depth and interesting test of nerves for the greendog that also incorporates some bitework.  Some related video can be found on the net.

A training director from a local club might be willing to give you an honest assesment of what your dog may be capable of.  If you're uncomfortable with the response, get a second or third opinion elsewhere.

There's many ways to test for all sorts of things nerve-related, and one thing in particular may have an uncanny affect on what you presumed were otherwise very sound nerves.  In example, I've known one particular dog to not even blink at close proximity gunshots, but be a bit freaked out about a plasic garbage sack popping open.
 

I think Drew offered you some very good advice.  Good luck with your girl.