Conformation Critique Please - Page 1

Naya von der haus Cimmerian, now 16 months old, and I would like the board's updated critique of her, please.

The link to her pedigree: www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/479294.html

I look forward to ALL comments on her, but I really look forward to Workingline people's opinions, as she is workingline.

Any idea what she'd rate if I showed her?

Thank-you in advance!

It is difficult to determine a great deal from that picture, but she has a substancial skull, heavy bone, and a rich sable coat as well. The topline is nice and straight and her angulation looks good front to rear.

She is quite young, and at an age where most puppies appear to be gangly and clumsy. I do think she looks better than average, and I would be proud to own her.

Regards,

Bob-O

First you need to understand that the very top working line breeders/kennels in West Gernmany  fully accept the FCI/SV standard as do the very top Showline breeders/kennels in West Gernmany .   What this means is that both groups submit to SV breed surveying (Koerklasse rating) when they want their zuchtschau(show) GSD or profung(protection) GSD surveyed for confirmation to the FCI/SV standard.  Therefore, it doesn't matter if you ask a showline breeder, a working line breeder or a Breed Warden their opinion of your GSD's confirmation, they all accept the FCI/SV stansdard and will compare your GSD to it.  I suggest you learn and memorize the FCI/SV standard and you will be able to answer this question yourself.

Secondly, it is very hard for working line GSDs to attain KK1 and top show ratings such as V or VA, when typically the first traits bred for are "schutzhund working ability" or "profung competition ability" rather than confirmation as is the first goal for the showline breeding. 

Third what really matters is what you think about your GSD's confirmation, not what anyone else thinks, unless you will breed her and try to sell her puppies as "show quality".  It's easy to form a fairly valid opinion yourself.  Here's how to do it. Print out an image of the GSD featured in the standard or print out a photo of Uran Wildsteigerland(commonly accepted as near perfect to the styandard physically).  Then print the photo of your GSD posed as listed on this web site.  Then take tissue paper and trace over the standard or the Uran photo print.  Then take the tracing and place it over your GSD and see what the differences are. Or select any one of the recent Siegerins to trace and compare the tracing to your GSD.  The differences will show up immediately.

Generally, most working line GSDs that are not KK1 and V rated are quite a bit to long in the back and/or loin and do not have enough angles at both ends, lack proper wither, and lack proper length or angle of croup.  You can decide if your bitch fits this norm or not yourself. 

What is far more important than worrying about confirmation is whether or not your GSD is healthy, happy, has good temperament and is properly trained, can work up to the capacity you desire, and if you enjoy her company immensely.  If you want an opinion from someone who knows and has memorized the standard, PM me privately, but understand it is always best for someone evaluating confirmation to see the dog in person, standing, walking, gaiting from all directions.  And that is what a breed survey accomplishes.  If you title her and get a successful breed survey permitting breeding, then you have played by the SV rules and can ask top breeders for help selecting the best titled, KK1 stud dog which will compensate for any weaknesses your bitch has. And then your puppies will be worth much more and will be easier to sell.

I agree with Bob-O she is beautiful, Alot of Judges don't care about the nice straight back working lines , I prefer them before a roachback.

Roach backs are sad. Short bus GSD's.

Overall a very nice bitch, strong bone, excellent pigmentation and expression.  Good topline/underline, good proportions.  Good upperarm and agulation of the front.  Moderate angulation of the rear.  Front and rear look straight.  Croup is well positioned but short. 

Under the right judge AND with good show presentation/conditioning/training I would say she would be "SG", possibly even "V" (if you title her) depending on how she moves.  Under the right judge you have a good shot at a KKL1.  As with any workingline, as well as any sable, you have to be a little selective on judges and not all judges are fair to workinglines/sables.  Showtraining/conditioning and presentation is also VERY important, I have seen many workingline dogs that could EASILY "V"/"SG" place in the back because the owners DON'T showtrain them, DON'T condition them and then just throw them in the ring.