Many people showing dogs today have forgotten that our dogs in the past did not mature until two and three years of age. Males particularly, were not show in the Open class until they were mature and close to three years of age. Same thing applied to bitches. We use to show in the Am. Bred class because a dog wasn't ready for Open. It wasn't mature yet. Maturity yields what the final product is and that is what needs to be taken into consideration when selecting breeding partners. Mary "If you think you're a person of some influence, try ordering someone else's dog around." In a message dated 1/4/2009 9:43:12 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, castlegsd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes: My bitches never put weight on until they reach two years of age. I get so many comments on how thin they are and am asked "if I've checked for worms." All have been great eaters with no health problems; just very active young bitches who haven't matured. By the time they reach three years, they are developed and have perfect weight. Pat Castle Kennels, LTD Where Shepherds of Distinction Reign www.castlekennels.com -----Original Message----- From: showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:showgsd-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 7:20 AM To: murk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx; showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Skinny GSD-EPI,,,I have a question to put weight on a young-ish (almost 2 tear old) bitch. Immediately it was assumed that there may be an issue...why can't it just be that she is immature? Especially when they are still growing, maybe running and playing a lot, I've had a lot of dogs that look thin right around the 18 mo. to 2 year range. Without any of the other symptoms of EPI this could very well be a normal immature bitch. ============================================================================ 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/ ============================================================================ **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) ============================================================================ 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/ ============================================================================