Disqualifications: Cropped or hanging ears Dogs with noses not predominantly black. Undershot jaw. Docked tail. White dogs. Any dog that attempts to bite the judge. The Standard (along with the disqualifying faults) is on the GSDCA.org website under "Education" and "Breed Standard". . . -----Original Message----- From: RopajaGSD@xxxxxxx Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 10:10 PM To: Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Musings-CURRENT American GSD Standard Other than "biting the judge", which would be a temperament issue unless of course the judge threatened the owner/handler and then the dog would not have a temperament issue but would be displaying his most basic instinct that of protecting his "master" would he not? Comments welcomed! The other disqualifying fault as it stands now is "noses that are not predominately black"... So who is going to stand up for the "no quite black" noses? Do you need a predominately black nose to herd, to gait, to be a service dog, to participate in any of the performance arenas...Livers, blues etc as coat colors are already noted as being faults, so the "noses that are not predominately black" does not relate to barring livers or blues. IF it were to be voted on that a GSD with a white coat (masking another color) is no longer a disqualifying fault, than one would think that the "noses that are not predominately black" should also loose its disqualifying status for some of the same reasons...I guess to rule out albinos, you might have to substitute that a "pink" nose was a disqualifying fault; but then what would you do with the temporary condition known as a "snow nose"? So many things to consider when one is considering change; all change results in consequences of some sort or another. I guess the question would be, does it solve a serious problem or does the change create another one of equal value? If I remember correctly and I am sure someone will speak up if I am wrong on that...but at one point, obviously prior to the change in 1969; the standard read that while white was not desirable, if it showed albino characteristics, (would this have been pink noses, lips, pads, genitals and red eyes or at least pink rimmed), it would have to be disqualified... Just musing - LOVE discussions! There are so many diverse opinions, some based on facts others based on hearsay or own desires...but ALL very interesting! Pauline Moon - _http://www.ropajagsd.com/_ (http://www.ropajagsd.com/) Ropaja German Shepherds:Member-GSDCAmercia & GSDCAtlanta - Best In Show AKC ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. 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. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. 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@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================