Thread: Requirements of the Stud Dog.

The Standard in original form has rarely been changed. I believe questioning the standard is to question the breed itself, therefore get the breed that works, not alter the breed. Standard,which is our blueprint for everything related to a specific breed of dog. Extremes of the standard are found, be it poor conformation, weak nerves, work ethic etc....Explosive drives and punishing grips can also be taken as one of these "extremes".....A man with a chip on his shoulder, can be the same as a dog with one, difference is who trains and nurtures his talents!

Conformation showing, not my cup of Tea, but understanding my breed and spending years learning and living with them i have come to see the faults lay with the matings, and of course pot luck!

Cheers
Amy

[=Amy Pattison;15938][=John Evans;15923]If you’re breeding working dogs and you’re primarily concerned with conformation (as in the breed standard recognised by “Kennel Clubs”) then in the case of GSDs you’d be hard pressed to breed anything worth a carrot as a working dog. You breed from proven genetic qualities you want, especially in working dogs; those genetic qualities/traits may produce courage, character, reliability, fitness, size, other physical attributes such as grip etc and are tried and tested from progeny to progeny, appearance (as in a pretty dog) is probably the last thing working dog trainers are concerned about. If you are breeding show dogs then conformation is paramount in your genetic search, and we know how much most show GSDs depart from working GSDs both physically and mentally, as do show Malinois.[/]


I agree. Neither is a balanced approach, i personally see conformation as the dog itself not whether it is straight in pastern or wet in the head (my breed) aesthetics are not essential to a work animal, but conformation which is breed type, and Good health is...

Personally, i think the word "conformation" is swapped for the word "Aesthetic" in these discussions, as when we say pretty dogs this is Aesthetic.[/]

Amy,

I think people often get the wrong end of the stick regarding conformation and the breed standards. Fax vom Grenzganger had good conformation Kkl 1 rating even an SG rated working line dog is good conformation and breedworthy, but neither would win a show. It's like a Schutzhund titled dog will comply with temperament and character, but may not win a Schutzhund sporting trial, but within a breeding I think these basics should be aspired to.

If a working line GSD achieves an SG show rating it's good enough and passes the breedworthy test, but if it has a disqualifying fault, it shouldn't be bred regardless of it's working ability which the dog then becomes an extreme at one end. A good working dog doesn't need show winning conformation, it needs only compliant conformation without disqualifying faults. A GSD must have an SG rating to compete at a WUSV Schutzhund trial which all WUSV entrants are considered dogs of breed standards compliance.

Cheers
Nev