Breed Standard Changes in UK (GSD and non-GSD) - Page 18

Missbeeb, the dogs of the 80s were good compared to the standard.  A lot of this discussion has centered around the topline and back and these two dogs, though maybe not totally correct according to the FCI standard, are much closer than the modern day dog of either extreme of the UK types.

In answer to your second question, There is always room for variation within any standard.  It can never be so precise as to define what could be considered a 'blueprint' for type. Take a look round any of the breeds and you will see variation in type and this is down to individual interpretation of the standard and genetic diversity withn the breed.  The GSD did change considerably from the origins up to the 80s and in my opinion the 80s dogs were at the extreme end of variation in what the standard would allow in angulation, forward reach and topline slope & curve.  So it follows that any further exaggerations, as we see in the modern day dog, is a step too far IMO.

Genuine question, as I haven't followed the breed much in the intervening period.... has the standard changed so much so that dogs of 80s that were considered correct would now be incorrect, eg Uran and Dingo?

pod answer this question what type do you prefer now the alsatian or the german shepherd or in other words if you had to choose one or the other what one would you choose    dont want a song and dance just say which one you would pick (you must pick one to answer question)
jim h

 pod is simply drawing you into his debate on his terms. Let pod give us his website address, then you can test his practical knowledge of our breed.

Does anyone now what our Specialist Breed Clubs/Associations are doing about the proposed changes i would have thought that they should have been beating down the KC S doors

Jim, sorry but I do find that question impossible to answer.  The GSDs that I have owned have all been of predominantly German breeding except for the first which was Brittas and I have, since the 70s, preferred the German type but there's is no way that I would own a modern type WG show bred dog, any more than I would own an Alsatian.  I find them both too exaggerated.

Edit to add:  Well ok, you did say I had to give an answer... then it would have to be German, on health grounds.

The dogs of today that I consider to be closest to the standard are of the working bloodlines.  I don't know much about these bloodlines or indeed any modern bloodlines, but I believe these are the East German or DDR dogs.

David, it isn't necessary to have a website to display knowledge of any subject.  I no longer own a GSD and I don't show or breed dogs of any breed any more.  I have no need of a website.  Nor do I profess to have specialist knowledge of the breed, but I do have good experience of standards and their interpretation.

 pod: "of YOUR OWN interpretation!"

David, on which points of the standard do you disagree with me?

 pod: I repeat, I will not play your games. Your favouring of the working bloodline dogs says everything about your views on GSD conformation.