Hi Michael: I think you are correct to some degree. What I’m referring to is in relation to what I have been told the AKC requests of Parent Clubs – at the end of the standard, to list faults in some order of severity, so that judges learning the breed, I assume can have a quick reference point. As such, those things actually listed as a fault in the standard are listed there. When we look at the standard, and compare the various components, while this is not termed a “head†breed by comparison to other breeds, our standard does take great pains to describe what is desirable, but falls short of terming the less desirable a “faultâ€. The difference being I guess, a fault is more severe than undesirable. As I said in my other post, there is nothing I like better than big hunky, beautifully chiseled head on a male and a feminine, clean-cut head on a bitch. I think our standard is clearly very a well written guide to bring us, as breeders, the most desirable, superior animals we can produce; however, if what I’ve seen at the past 3 of 4 Nationals and what I’ve seen over the past 7 years of futurity judging is any indication, we have breeders and judges who are NOT following the basic concepts of what you mention in terms of “looking, moving and acting†like a GSD. As breeders, good breeders use the standard as a guide to help us decide which animals are worthy of breeding and exhibiting. As judges, it’s imperative that it is used to determine correct, and award placements based upon the standard. I think we may be getting caught up in the semantics of things. What I was trying to point out is – while I agree with you that headpieces (more apparent on the dogs than the bitches this year to me) have degraded, what is far more distressing is the loss of natural, athletic, coordinated motion that allows the dogs to propel themselves forward in a manner that gives them “flight†– that natural outreaching, elastic motion which electrifies you with each step that if you’re in tune to it, gives you “goose-bumpsâ€. It’s lacking – and when you go to a National, where the crème of the crop is supposed to be, either the breed doesn’t have a majority of these dogs anymore being exhibited by people, or they stayed home. Since I’ve been around the country watching a few shows, I see the results of the dogs winning from around the country and I saw a good deal of them at the National – I’d say the former is the case. Breeders MUST pay attention to the “moves like a shepherd†part of the equation – because, as a whole, if the National is any example, “Houston, we have a problemâ€. Kathaleen From: Lindenhill German Shepherds [mailto:lindenhillgsd@xxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 8:14 PM To: inflight@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Was Head Pieces 2008 US National --now other things. Kathleen, I think what you meant to say was "Disqualifying Fault", with the exception of nose color(predominately black muzzle) and the ear components you mentioned you are correct, none the less they can be considered minor faults. The head is noble, cleanly chiseled, strong without coarseness, but above all not fine, and in proportion to the body. Gotta admit I view the "look like a shepherd" and "move like a shepherd" with the other third "acts like a shepherd" equally, you must have all three. Nothing stronger then a pyramid, these three components make up the corners of that pyramid which describe our magnificent breed. If I produce a dog that has the looks and acts right, but doesn't quite make it in the third department, I know that animal will make a tremendous pet for someone. But if I have great motion, but missing one of the other two - forget about it, I can not in good conscience place that kind of a dog with the public. At least for me from a breeders perspective, thats my view - which will ultimately I suppose will result in an influence in judging decisions. Michael Metz Lindenhill German Shepherds Where Temperament, Type and Transmission matter. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathaleen Strong" <inflight@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 9:24:23 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Was Head Pieces 2008 US National --now other things. While I agree that we are losing some in our headpieces, I'd like to point out a couple of things: 1) Head faults are not technically faults. The head is described but it does not list an incorrect head as a fault. Esthetically speaking, there is more description to how the head should look (especially concerning secondary sex characteristics and the distinct chiseled description) than there is for ears. ============================================================================ 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. 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