Barbara I think you are absolutely right, a dog should be able to cope with any speed, walk, slow trot, fast trot, etc, and remain with iron back, suspension and powerful drive, regardless of the speed called for. This is also true of a true athlete canine, that is able with very little change to navigate ANY surface any terrain without substantially changing the outline. Big ring , small ring, over rocks , hills , creeks , pavement , etc, a solid dog, with CORRECT movement, will overcome it all. Kathy Finest in American Show & German Importing WEBSITE UPDATED: 2-28-2005 _Victory German Shepherds_ (http://www.victorygermanshepherds.com/index.htm) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. 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://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================