German Shepherd / Crufts Showing

i was disapointed that a gsd got through, in the end. i really thought that the roach back and low hock would have been enough to get a reaction from the vet! i don't care what anybody say's... it is WRONG AND CRUEL!!!!

i think it may be down the requirements placed on the vets for rejecting, i guess it could come under 'lame' but i think that would be bending the rules and call all their decisions to be challenged on integrity

the vets just need more rules to work with

The GSD who got through wasn't anywhere near as bad as some of those I've seen at Crufts before.

Personally I prefer the GSDs with straight backs which is what I have.

It's always going to be sujective and the opinion of the Judge at the time.

The GSD that was BOB and was placed in the group is a SUPERB example of the breed, having a superb temperament, working qualifications, won the Sieger and has several BIS to his credit.

Rico deserved to be there and I have absolutely no idea what your issue with a "low hock" is?

Your opinion on this dog is WRONG and CRUEL.

I haven't seen any of crufts so can't really comment on the dog that got through, however I do dislike the GSD's with the very low hocks and extreme backs, the poor dogs look so unnatural

Are they really supposed to look like that? I doubt it.

I totally agree with this - whilst I admit GSDs are not really my cup of tea - I've seen Rico on many an occasion and he's a wonderful dog, sound in every way.

I think some of you ought to acquaint yourselves with a) the breed standard and b) the requirements of the Sieger.

The requirements of the latter are far more rigourous than those of a show and he also has a KKl1 = (recommended for breeding) award and the lebenzeit (life long certification) which are given by trained breed specialists in Germany.

His look may not be "your cup of tea" but that does not equate to the dog being malformed in anyway.

http://veneze.com/elmo.htm

Rico is beautiful., and i wasn't being cruel to him... but how can a standard change so much, over the years, to be so different from the original?

HAs it?

Have you a copy of the original breed standard (WUSV) and the current one to compare?

sorry. i mean Hector. but the, why were they more like Hector, from 1900 till 1975 'sh?

To be perfectly frank, I don't give a monkeys about a breed standard! I don't show dogs, have no intention of ever showing dogs, I choose my pets for that reason alone, being a pet! I want an animal that can run, jump and move freely without looking strange or being in discomfort. That can breathe properly (and keep in mind I'm not just talking GSD's here) has a good life expectancy, isn't struggling to see or groom itself and can in fact enjoy life as a dog! If 'breed standards' mean any of those things then breed standards need to be changed! Breeding an animal to have a more and more extreme back is ridiculous and I will not apologise for having that viewpoint!

Everyone has a preference to the 'type' of GSD they like...mine is German show line...I LOVED this dog and was really pleased to see him win BOB again.

that was nice. thank you!

Fortunately Rico can run, jump and move freely without looking strange (to most people) nor is he in discomfort.

He can breathe properly has a good life expectancy and isn't struggling to see or groom itself (although dogs are not famous for self grooming IME) .

Everyone is of course entitled to their own opinion, however ill informed.

Absolutely agree, he is a truly great dog who is a credit to his breed (and his breeders and owners).

Yes we are, fortunately and fortunately the majority of people I know agree with me. I do like being in such ill informed company I also like having a dog that looks like a dog, not one that looks like a childs play chute

An ambassador of the breed

I think he is stunning. There will always be the same old comments about him.