I don't mention it because they are German Shepherds! My definition of the breed already includes it and I guess I take for granted that Shepherds, mine at least will be supple, agile and able to do whatever I ask of them. Its kinda like I don't mention their superior smell or night vision. I just expect that a healthy, correct structured Dog in proper condition will be athletic! Now Im not in the least bit athletic nor is my chubby couch potato service dog a rinn tin tin or Lassie but she still flies around the year catching balls or frisbees and leaps onto picnic tables and climbs slides and stacks of dog food when asked. I personally consider the Breed as a whole to be an athletic dog.. Tami THo Shepherds since 1979 Breeder of Best in Show,High in Trial, ROM,BIF/BIM,Police,Leader,Herding, Agility,Fly Ball,Schutzhund,Rally,Dock Diving,Therapy,Service Dogs,Movie Actors & Gorgeous long lived family Companions...All in one! Medusasmom... forever Sent from my iPhone On Sep 18, 2013, at 9:00 AM, Sarah Minsk <gsdworkingline@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > That's great!!!! I am very happy to hear that you breed for athleticism. > Love your quote, " It should be >> >> important to all of us no matter what OUR physical limitations are. >> It is an important aspect of the Breed." > > So, very true!! > > I was directed to a super neat video that showed dogs from the 30's scaling > huge vertical walls, and jumping high over barricades. The dogs were shown > also doing protection work and were fast and agile. The video was pretty > amazing. Interestingly, none of the dogs had the build of the modern show dog > which baffled me. I thought they would still look the same because the breed > standard doesn't change, right? > > Sarah > On Sep 17, 2013, at 11:45 PM, Carolyn Martello wrote: > >> I use the word athleticism quite a bit because an athletic GSD >> is very important to us. I want a dog that can follow us all >> day if we were riding a horse....herd sheep all day....swim a river >> chase a ball, hike a rough trail in the heat...play tag and jump >> up on a picnic table from a standing position, accelerate quickly >> and slow or stop and turn easily and smoothly. >> Typically you can tell athleticism easily when looking at a dog. >> It doesn't need to be making the maneuvers...it knows where it's >> own feet are and can easily change what it is doing at the moment >> and has the confidence, the body, feet, ligamentation, musculature, >> conformation and brains to do whatever you ask. It should be >> important to all of us no matter what OUR physical limitations are. >> It is an important aspect of the Breed. >> >> Quite frankly I can't see what you see in the "old German books" >> that tells you the dogs were more agile at that time...other than >> the simple fact that they had a whole lot less depth of ribbing...? >> >> Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx >> www.marhaven.com >> >> -----Original Message----- >> On Behalf Of Sarah Minsk Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] athleticism >> >> One thing that I rarely see mentioned in ads in the Review is the word... >> athleticism. Has the athleticism of the breed changed over the last few >> decades? I honestly don't know and am, legitimately, asking!! In my old >> German Shepherd books it shows show dogs being trained to leap over 6-7 foot >> picnic tables, being able to scale walls, and leap high in the air twisting >> to catch frisbees! So, I wonder if the current show dogs are agile like cats >> and able to jump like rabbits like the dogs in my old books. >> >> I don't think being a fancy sidegaiter necessarily translates to being >> "athletic". Nor do I think be able to complete an agility course >> demonstrates this as most dogs can do it if trained even if they are slow >> and not very athletic. A lot of the dogs I see in the ring seem sort of >> stiff. >> >> Can any old time breeders speak to whether they have noticed a decline in >> athleticism over the decades and if so, what can it be attributed too? Were >> you early dogs very athletic, agile, and supple? How come it is rarely >> mentioned in ads...is it not an important trait anymore to possess? >> >> Thanks, >> Sarah >> ====== > > ============================================================================ > POST is Copyrighted 2012. All material remains the property of the original > author and of GSD Communication, Inc. 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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/ ============================================================================