Tom opines... When I was new, had I not been the shy guy that I am <G>, I certainly thought differently than I do now. My ideal GSD has changed many times over the years as I learned more about the breed. Paul adds... Being a shy guy like Tom...I too had a bad beginning. My 1st dog had dysplasia, the 2nd was spooky (I thought they were right when they said to pick the one who didn't run up to ya), and my 3rd looked like a coyote. She went last in a class of 20 bitches at our 1st Specialty. I was shattered. But...that same bitch took her CD in 3 shows and missed going Dog World (all 3 shows at 195 or higher) by 1/2 a point. She was a super smart coyote. I don't believe the repartee that is going back and forth is doing much to help this person. You can only help those who want it or are willing to look objectively on a subject. Like Tom & Peggy...our dogs have evolved over our 25 + years in the Breed. When we realized our loins were getting too short...we bred to a dog who added an inch. When our necks became too short we bred to lines that helped make them more to the Standard and added elegance at the same time. The Standard is the "blueprint" of the perfect dog. I don't know of an architect worth his salt that doesn't use a blueprint to create his creation. That said...all blueprints are not the same nor is the 1st draft usually the final draft. They may well be changed many times before the creation is finished. Paul ============================================================================ 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 ============================================================================