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by Tihannah on 02 January 2013 - 14:01
I've heard reference to expression many times. Would anyone be willing to post an example of what they consider nice expression and what would be a turn off? Just learning here. :-)
by vonissk on 02 January 2013 - 14:01
Joan I love it--I am a feet person too. But like others, I look at expressions and how the dog is acting in "normal" situations. What is it the standard says about the look of eagles, hard to explain but when it's there it's definately there. Anyway if I don't like their head regarding expression and correctness, I go no farther. After the head, I want nice feet, bone, topline, fronts................
by SitasMom on 02 January 2013 - 14:01
Lay of shoulder and length of position of forearm, next is the hocks, next is general physical condition.......
by SitasMom on 02 January 2013 - 14:01
"I've heard reference to expression many times"
Expression is the general look of a dog, not just its face.
Good expression is a dog that looks healthy, physically fit, strong, confident, ready to workand with good proportions (able to work).
Expression is the general look of a dog, not just its face.
Good expression is a dog that looks healthy, physically fit, strong, confident, ready to workand with good proportions (able to work).
by workingdogz on 02 January 2013 - 14:01
It's a 'state of being' Tihannah 
It's the aura or presence given off by a human or animal
without even trying. You can literally 'feel' the power without
even having to see the animal work.
Think of it this way, the loud mouth steroid driven muscle head
who thumps his chest and rages about how tough he is,
or the calm quiet self assured man who simply 'is'.
And you can see the same demeanor in a really good
bitch too, (4 legged or 2 LMAO).
It's the aura or presence given off by a human or animal
without even trying. You can literally 'feel' the power without
even having to see the animal work.
Think of it this way, the loud mouth steroid driven muscle head
who thumps his chest and rages about how tough he is,
or the calm quiet self assured man who simply 'is'.
And you can see the same demeanor in a really good
bitch too, (4 legged or 2 LMAO).
by Ibrahim on 02 January 2013 - 15:01
All good posts, it's very interesting to ctually see what each looks for or what catches the eye of each of us. Here's how the standard describes a good GSD
Description |
The German Shepherd Dog is also known as the Alsatian. It is handsome, well proportioned and very strong. The coat most often comes in black with tan, sable or all black, but also can come in blue, liver and white, but those colors are considered a fault according to most standards. White is not an acceptable color for the German Shepherd, however they are now being recognized as a separate breed, called the American White Shepherd. The nose is black most often black but, blue or liver still do sometimes occur, but is considered a fault can not be shown. It has a sturdy, muscular, slightly elongated body with a light but solid bone structure. Its head should be in proportion to its body, and the forehead a little convex. It has a strong scissors bite, ears wide at the base, pointed, upright, and turned forward (the ears of puppies under six months may droop slightly). The eyes are almond-shaped, never protruding, dark, with a lively, intelligent expression. Its bushy tail reaches almost to its hocks and hangs down when the dog is at rest. Its front legs and shoulders are muscular; its thighs thick and sturdy. It has round feet with very hard soles. There are three varieties of the German Shepherd: rough-coated, long rough-coated, and the long-haired. |
Temperament |
Often used as working dogs, German Shepherds are direct and fearless, eager and alert. Bold, cheerful, obedient and eager to learn. Known for their tremendous loyalty and courage. Calmly confident, but not hostile. Serious and almost human in his intelligence. They have a high learning ability. German Shepherds love to be close to their families, but they are very wary of strangers. This breed needs his people and should not be left isolated for long periods of time. They only bark when it is necessary. German Shepherds have a very strong protective instinct, so they should be extensively socialized to prevent over-guarding when they are an adult. Aggression and attacks on people are largely due to poor breeding, handling and training. A well bred, well-adjusted, and trained dog is for the most part generally good with other pets and excellent with children in the family. They must be firmly trained in obedience from an early age. It is extremely important to purchase your German Shepherd from a reputable breeder. Some are timid and skittish and may be prone to fear biting. Research a puppy's lineage carefully. To be successful pets, these dogs should be trained and socialized from an early age with a firm and loving hand. Coercive or angry training does not succeed well with these dogs. To be truly happy, the German Shepherd needs a task in life. The breed is so intelligent and learns so readily that it has been used as a sheepdog, guard dog, in police work, as a guide for the blind, in search and rescue service, and in the military. The German Shepherd also excels in many other dog activities including schutzhund, tracking, obedience, agility, flyball, and ring sport. His fine nose can sniff out drugs and intruders, and can alert handlers to the presence of underground mines in time to avoid detonation, or gas leaks in a pipes buried 15 feet underground. The German Shepherd is also a popular show and family companion. |
by susie on 02 January 2013 - 15:01
Ibrahim, like always, you tend to become too theoretical...
Don´t look for the perfect creature, a human or an animal is a combination out of a lot of things,
and you can´t "touch" or "write down" all of it.
The whole picture needs to be sound, you have to have a good feeling about what you see.
Every single dog has minor or major faults, the addtion of all makes the whole picture.
Don´t look for the perfect creature, a human or an animal is a combination out of a lot of things,
and you can´t "touch" or "write down" all of it.
The whole picture needs to be sound, you have to have a good feeling about what you see.
Every single dog has minor or major faults, the addtion of all makes the whole picture.
by joanro on 02 January 2013 - 15:01
Vonnisk, if I like what I see that will cause me to look further, the feet are the foundation. I spent the majority of my life earning a living one way or another with horses, and the same with them. If the animal is worthy of further evaluation, without exception I start with the feet. (made a living shoeing, also) If they don't check out, then no matter what the rest of the horse is, it doesn't matter. A dog is scrutinized by me in the same way. The old saying, " No feet, no horse" also applies to dogs, for me.
by Ibrahim on 02 January 2013 - 15:01
When I read the posts where expression of a GSD was stressed, from dogs I know this dog came into mind
Carly Policia Slovakia
Carly Policia Slovakia
by Tihannah on 02 January 2013 - 15:01
@ Workingdogz - Aaahhh...okay, okay. Love it! Glad I asked!
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