What I look for... Does the dog look like a German Shepherd as described in the standard. Are the proportions correct? (Length to height) Are there any glaring faults such as: sagging back, steep or short croup, lack of bone and substance, lack of secondary sex characteristics, washed-out color, curly tail, bad ears, etc. Then I refine it more by checking teeth, eye color, feet and pasterns, ear set, length of neck, length of tail, topline. Does the dog standing free and posed, have a flowing outline rather then harsh angles? Then on to motion. Is the dog clean coming and going and if not, to what degree does he vary. Does the dog cover the maximum amount of ground with the least amount of both effort and steps. Does the dog move with suspension or is he hitting the ground hard. Does the dog have a good shoulder opening allowing it to reach beyond it?s nose in front. Do the rear legs go well under the dog and does the hock extend as well. Does the dog move close to the ground? Every square inch of the dog both standing and in motion is judged according to the standard and then according to eye appeal, attitude, and efficiency in motion. Of course, temperament is first last and always. Without a sound mind, you have less than nothing. We as judges do occasionally get fooled on temperament and it?s the dogs owners that should be ashamed and embarrassed. They damage to the breed. Brains, Beauty and Working Ability?. the total package! Long live AOE. Helen Franklin ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================