Pedigree Dogs Exposed Filmmaker Releases Extended Footage of German Shepherds - Page 6

As a novice, I must say I'm very upset with the state of the GSD. My first real introduction to the GSD was through conformation. I LOVE conformation, I think it's a really fun thing for the entire family to enjoy and it does promote responsible pet ownership(to a degree)...if nothing else, it helps people to get out there and create a bond with the dog. It's the people who take the concept of conformation to the extreme who are the problem. Conformation becomes really all that matters......it's addicting, I don't blame them for enjoying it.  In reality though, conformation is only a VERY small part of what matters in a dog and is not to be taken too seriously. Conformation was originally intended for people to make sure that their dogs conformed to the written standard and more importantly, to have fun and strengthen the bond with your dog! Nowadays we have people spending literally THOUSANDS of dollars to campaign, for what, ego? Glory? Fame? How pretty your dog is? To show the world how ignorant you are?(I think few would argue that spending upwards of 30,000 for adverstising your winnings, when the world is in this sorry state is ignorant) Ridiculous!  These people really REALLY need to get priorities straight, they have taken an innocent event and turned it into nothing but an investment. My question to hardcore conformation people is: Do you really take this conformation thing seriously (if so, you've gone overboard, your passion now a sick obsession) or are you doing it because you get more money for a pup out of "Champion" stock?  What is driving your fascination with showing?

The first GSD I had the pleasure of walking was at one time a very high ranking GSD in Canada. I thought he was a beautiful dog, at first impression he was quite magnificent.....until his owner pulled him out of the crate!  He was growling at his own owner, I was shocked that she found this acceptable and did little more then tell him to be quiet.  The dog had poor conformation and a deep red and black colour. To be honest, he was not bad for what is normally seen in the ring, but still a PET quality GSD at best that had no business holding ANY rank within the breed.

I don't think all the blame can be placed on the showline breeders. Where are the workingline dogs at conformation events?  How is the general public supposed to be able to differentiate between working and show if the only thing they have seen are black and tan show mutts? Lets not be naive, the general public has GREAT impact on where the breed ends up, should working line breeders not make a more concentrated effort to promote there dogs, so the general public at least understand that they HAVE options and there is more to life then that covetted .30 ribbon?
I have been around dogs and dog events all of my life and I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I have seen a true working dog (aside from going to training and clubs).  
I understand politics in conformation are a huge factor as well as lack of knowledge to the standard and basic compliancy to the "norm".........it would be damn near IMPOSSIBLE to show a workingline next to a show line. They look like 2 different breeds. But why not try anyway?  Even if you lose, who cares?

If this is NOT feesible, why habn't anyone of you better known workingline people applied for a judging license in your respective country? It is obviously not difficult to attain. If more workline judges, judged conformation and slowly began ACTUALLY enforcing the standard, perhaps other judges would follow suit and grow a pair'.

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Any idea what the above is?  It appeared in the reply box.


I was going to ask, if Tigermouse has no objection, for David to give a show critique of her dog, just out of interest.

Margaret N-J

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no objection at all :) do you worst

i truly want to improve on my line in working ability and conformation so please be honest . 
Im tougher than I look. 

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Evadic22, I think you wrote a wonderful post that a lot of socalled experts should read and learn from. Your points are cogent and correct.....you are neither working line breeder or showline breeder....But you make sense!!! Thanks for the post!!

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Good for you Tigermouse.  Are you up for this David, full critique including grading?


Margaret N-J

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Evadic, Showing is an expensive hobby, make no mistake, no-one is going to want to show, week after week, with no chance of a result!

I don't know any serious work fan that gives a fig for the opinion of a conformation judge!

she is 3/4 working and  1/4 show http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/541425.html

the pic on there is BAD my stacking attempts are not getting any better. lol I know she isnt a super star but i love her and believe she is correct not perfect but correct.

".....tigermouse: she is certainly nowhere near show quality. However you clearly get comfort on here, and "middle of the road" is the regular comment from those with average GSD. Exceptional and star quality is out of reach for the majority, so the majority enjoy knocking the few, it makes them feel better about their own. Ahhh.


I would take that as a complement tigermouse.... If show quality is what was presented on the video than I would def take tha as a complement lol.

1. It is obvious that these are not youngsters, but totally unsound adult animals. God only knows what reaction  
    would have erupted if all this had been shown on the original programme.
2. Why has the Judge not been brought to task for placing this dog.?
     Having  said that, this is probably one of the reasons the showing scene is in the state that it is because of poor
     judgeing, this together with  the Old Pals Act.?
3  Surface should not make a lot of difference and a sound animal should be able to compensate.
4  I have been involved with the German Shepherd Dog - Alsatian whichever you may call it,  for over 50yrs 
    and if I had ever bred an animal as infirm as these, and also I may add as infirm as some present day
    Champions, I would have given up  years ago.
5.  This gives the impression that ALL German Shepherd Show line dogs are cripples, which is obviously not
     true. But unfortunately far to many that are unsound are allowed in the ring and given titles. One I could name
     with at least 13 cc's to its name.
6.  Showing kennels must take heed and be made accountable, start to look at what is in front of you instead of
     what is on paper when breeding, and put the breed before self egoistical glory.

This gives the impression that ALL German Shepherd Show line dogs are cripples, which is obviously not
     true. But unfortunately far to many that are unsound are allowed in the ring and given titles. One I could name
     with at least 13 cc's to its name.

I agree that wouldn't be a correct statment, you can still find a SL breeder that breeds sound dog's but you will never find his dogs becoming CH.