It IS possible for them to have good qualities as well as serious faults, I agree. I also agree a talented breeder can look at such an animal and perhaps use it well in their breeding program. A little luck thrown in doesn't hurt either. But were talking about the show side of things. Would you want to look in the rear view mirror and know you had a hand in putting a CH in front of a dog's name who had serious faults? Do you reward a dog because it is the "best" of a bad bunch??? To me that is the very definition of "lack of merit". The question is rhetorical of course, but I wouldn't reward such a dog. Kathy, member GSDCA, DVGSDC Celebrating generations of Dual Titled TC'd Champions visit www.geocities.com/pinehillgsds In a message dated 11/20/2008 7:50:33 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, melanagsd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: And yes, it is possible for a dog to have a combination of outstanding qualities as well as faults, even serious ones. The standard specifies what the disqualfying faults are. Withholding ribbons is intended for LACK OF MERIT. JMO! Melissa **************One site has it all. Your email accounts, your social networks, and the things you love. Try the new AOL.com today!(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212962939x1200825291/aol?redir=http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp %26icid=aolcom40vanity%26ncid=emlcntaolcom00000001) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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 - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================