On 3/7/07, almanya@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <almanya@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > . > Now thats not being afraid it's having a mutual respect for what could > happen. These dogs are protective by nature and judges have no clue when > that character is going to come out or when one is not wrapped too tight. > And fair is fair no judge should have a weird or threatening or stalking > approach .............that is just wrong! > Amy Safdir > Almanya Shepherds > www.almanyagsd.com You are right on track there. I cannot imagine having or ALLOWING a stranger at a park to walk up to my dog on an eight foot draped lead, regardless of how "safe" I know him/her to be. Sometimes dogs will see oddness in a person that we don't see and it could trigger an unexpected response. Sometimes, I think judges don't mean to stalk, lets face it we have seen some judges, Bless their Hearts, that may have issues with mobility or stiffness or soreness, and sometimes, dogs w/o discernment will react it. Particularly the babies, who don't understand that this stranger, who may move in a stilted or bent over way , really isn't the boogeyman. I think some judges too forget that strong eye contact, can be seen as a challenge to a dog. Esp as intuitive as GSDS can be...esp if owner handled. I am not talking about fear biters or spooks, but about GSDs that will stand their ground an protect their person in the face of what looks like a challenge. This is a good dog, but could be misinterpreted by a judge that is expecting or desiring something like a Golden Retvr. type attitude. I think some (SOME) judges need to re evaluate their approach before automatically penalizing a puppy or a tough, but solid GSD. Kathy Tank > http://www.victorygermanshepherds.com > > Ch. Elvaston's Nations Cup, TC, OFA > > 26 BOB/BISS to Date > > > > > > > ============================================================================ > > POST is Copyrighted 2007. 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 - www.showgsd.org > > > ============================================================================ > > -- http://www.victorygermanshepherds.com Ch. Elvaston's Nations Cup, TC, OFA 26 BOB/BISS to Date ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. 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 - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================