low thresholds = poor nerves??? - Page 1

not sure how these two traits go together or if they are linked at all.

does sharp mean same as weak nerves?

why is sharp generally considered a fault for breeding? seems what a gsd should be like?

thanks for any replies.

There are different definitions of what is "Sharp" . In Czech for example it is a dog  "on the ball" ,  very alert, aware , smart,  go getter   and very fast in  protection. It is a desirable dog by many. 
Elsewhere it is a dog which is hysterical and over reacting. Thus undesirable dog. That is why you need to understand the definition which is used in a particular context. 
Prager Hans

I have a sharp czech/slovik showline bitch........
she is quick to turn on and WILL NOT BACK DOWN..
you can whip her, hit her and try to intimidate her, all it does it excite her.
after all of this, she has agression only for the sleeve........she will not bite the helper

in real life, she is always alert and ever ready - and with all of this she contains herself in social situations

Sharp in my definition is a dog that will engage with little provocation.  Sharp / shy is a fear biter, a dog that bites out of fear with little provocation.  Sharp is not necessarily a bad thing.  It is a term to describe temperament, not working ability or intelligence.  Sharp / shy is undesirable while "sharp" can be seen as desirable by many.  

Sharp is not synonymous with weak nerves, plenty of strong dogs can be "sharp."  Sharp is generally not a fault for breeding unless the dog will not stand to be examined by a judge and can not be shown or examined.  There are plenty of tough, strong dogs that do not like their testicles and teeth grabbed by strangers.  They simply will not tolerate it.  

I have never heard anyone use the word "sharp" to desribe an hysterical or overreacting dog to me that would be a hectic or a frantic dog.  I do understand that the word may be used differently in other languages and the translation may be somewhat different.  This is how I have always used it to describe one aspect of temperament and behavior.  

Sitasmom, 
If she will not bite the helper as you say, I would not call her sharp.  Perhaps, high in prey and equipment fixated.  Alert, and ever ready but contained is not sharp, IMHO.  Alert and ready to engage someone for real with little provocation is sharp.  

If she will not bite the helper as you say, I would not call her sharp. Perhaps, high in prey and equipment fixated
She has been taught not to bite dirty...........she will bite the sleeve and not the helper.


Alert, and ever ready but contained is not sharp, IMHO. Alert and ready to engage someone for real with little provocation is sharp.
I think we're taking the same thing here.......she is ready to engage if required, but not until i release her.........in real life situation, she doesn't care about equipment..

I have a so called "nerve bag." I call her the smartest one of the bunch. She is in pure defense on the sleeve. Also will not bite helper. She is not shy, but sure won't let a stranger pet her. She's always knows exactly what's going on all around her and moves in and takes control when it will benefit her. She is super intense in all she does.
Like I said. I've had a few call her a nerve bag. I call her smarter than the average.
Would like to hear your thoughts Hans, and all others. Take care

Great post slam. You explained behavior to the tee. Thanks

Sitasmom,  If she will not bite the helper as you say, I would not call her sharp.

I'd call the dog sharp, but not civil

Xeph,
 The dog may be a very nice dog and I'd like to see some video before making any further assumptions.  But, I'll stick with high prey, equipment oriented and neither sharp or civil.  That is not a bad thing, often a good thing it is just not what I would use to describe sharp.  Sharp and civil are related but still different.