ann, I am not the "structure" person in the family. But I will share what I think. I think there is just as good shoulder now than 20 years ago, and in some cases better. There is such a lack of good critques from the past. GSD Reviewed sometimes gives a couple critiques. I think the problem has more to do with the fact that an excellent shoulder is super hard to get, easy to lose, and new people have trouble "seeing" correct shoulder. I still have this problem. What helped me was Ed Barrit telling me while watching dogs in movement, do not watch how far out the front foot goes. Watch where the front foot lands when it hits the ground. Doing that in slow-mo while watching videos of dogs is a real eye-opener. I think my GVX lily has the perfect shoulder and shoulder opening. I don't think many would ding her except for her bigness "which she measures in the standard." I bring up my own bitch because one, she is a GVX, finished in three shows and many best of breeds under "shoulder men/women" judges. I also bring her up, because now retired she is part of the history of our breed. I think it behooves people who want to understand structure is to stand by one of our best breeder/judges men and women and watch a class or two with them. No one ever told me when I started to "leave them alone" and I still sit with Bob Eaton every chance I get so he can tell me I am wrong, wrong, wrong. The worst thing to do is see a picture of the dog and say my that's a nice shoulder. Until you watch them in movement, you don't know. Her brother Hayabusa (han) 3x select and MV, does not have the shoulder of his sister, but he is totally correct and balanced. Is that why he did not go GV? No, Scoop was just slightly better those three years (yes, Kevin and barb--slightly), and Han has a wavy ear. I bring him up because Dave Rinke includes him in his judges seminar that he gives--which is a great place to go at the national--whether you wish to be a judge or not. As he says, we all have to be judges to be breeders. I think if you look at all the selects male and females pedigrees over five years or 10 years you will see a pattern, and boing! you will develop your own philosophy. I would also talk to the Graingers about GV Bull. Because they published "put a little lift in your breeding program" I feel comfortable in saying that he was dinged because his front was lifty or lofty. Did that stop him from going GV. No, Bull was an awesome animal--very well deserving--his pedigree is interesting because the pattern I am asking you to look for is right there. I will not bring up my opinions on more dogs because they haven't been discussed publicly and I feel their owners, breeders should discuss them here. The best to you, Sheila at Lindenhill ----- Original Message ----- From: Ann Mariano To: showgsd-l Sent: Monday, December 12, 2005 7:56 AM Subject: [Germanshepherds4Show] Shoulders Hi. I know when alot of the people have been in the breed 20+ years, and it seems there is a consensus that shoulders are not what they use to be. I know from my own experience with seeing some of my mentors old dogs in video and pictures, I have to agree. From my own research his line can only be found in 5th/6th Generations. If someone had his line in the earlier generations, and still breeding, I would love to see some dogs. Can the people who have been in the breed for some time, talk about this subject. Maybe share with the newbies which lines did/still do carry correct shoulders? Maybe share some pictures/links of dogs who do have a correct shoulder lay back. I think this would be educational for all, since as I said before (and I know many have also) shoulders just do not seem to be what I have seen in the past (through videos of course :)) Ann Marie www.geocities.com/amarigermanshepherds/Amari.html Home of Ch Fairway's Leah v Nadelwald TC & her daughters R/BIF Ch Amari's Ava Gardner & in the wings her daughter Amari's Beware of Foxy Roxy (pointed) and Breeder/Owner of Leah's son Amari's Bandit of Broadcreek (9 points @ 7 months) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Notice. forwarding of any information that appears on the German Shepherd 4 Show list is not allowed. SPONSORED LINKS German shepherd dog breeders German shepherd dog breeders German shepherd dog training German shepherd dog German shepherd show dog ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. 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