What do German Shepherd Dog judges look for when judging the breed?

What do German Shepherd Dog judges look for when judging the breed?

By Dennis Fisher.

As someone who has a been a specialist German shepherd Dog for many years, this is a question I have been asked many times € especially by people who have only recently become interested in the breed.

What I have always found quite amusing is that they often hope to receive a very short answer of no more than ten sentences!

It is possible to give a brief answer that covers the main features of the breed. But in order to provide useful information for people, seriously interested in the breed, who would like to becoming involved in the Show scene, it will be necessary to go into much greater detail.

Although there issome variation in the methods used by different German Shepherd Judges, especially those living in different parts of the world, there isfar more uniformity now than there used to be some years ago.

Of course the individual preferences of judges and the emphasis they place on certain features will influence their final placings to some extent, but ,generally speaking, present-day German Shepherd Dog judges all over the world adop[t a very similar approach.

WhenGerman Shepherd Dog Judges, enter the show ring andare presented withthe entries,- even before the dogs are required to gait - there is one feature they immediately look. And that is symmetry, correct proportions and balance.

Ever since the first German Shepherd Dog bred by von Stephanitz in Germany and registered in 1899, the emphasis has always been onthe German Sheherd dog'sworking abilities

Because of this, the structure of the dog has been designed to provide the maximum efficiency of movement and the physical characteristics necessary to carry out the work for which it was intended.

This can only be achieved if the dog is well-proportioned and balanced. Only then canwill move in the most efficient manner.

This emphasis on themechancis of movementis a unique feature of the German Shepherd. No other breed attaches as much importance to this as the German Shepherd.

The breed standards of other breeds are largely based onaesthetic requirements and personal interpretation of what constitutes "beauty". The standard of the German Shepherd Dog however, is based, to a very large extent on the concept of "utility"

Because of this, when Judges are presented with a large number of dogs as they enter the Show ring, the most important feature they look for is for balanced proportions.

Even before the dogs are required to start moving and gaiting in the ring, the judges will take a quick glance over all the dogs and immediately form an opinionwith regard to their proportions

TheJudges will cast an eye over all the dogs, as they walk, and make an asessment andwith regard to the balance of their structure and their proportions. Do they posess the correct front angulation and rear angulation as laid down by the standard?

In some ways judging German Shepherd Dogs can be comparedto the judging process in a Mr. Universe or a Miss Universe contest. This may appear to be a ridiculous comparison. But there are definitelycertain similarities.

Even though there are going to be huge variations in the opinions of the Judges in a human contest because of individual preferences; because of national preferences and because there is no such things as written standards,the question of balance, proportions and symmetrynevertheless still play an important role.

To take an exaggeratedly simple example, in a Mr. Universe contest, if the contestant's legs are clearly not as well-developed as the rest of his body, the balance and the symmetry are not going to be as visually attractive and appealing as those of a well-proportioned, well-balanced, symmetrical, athletically built contestant.

This applies equally to a Miss Universe Contest.

In a German Shepherd Dog conformation show, the judge immediately looks for balanced proportions, even while the dogs are standing and certainly while walking.

What are balanced proportions in a German Shepherd Dog? There must be a harmony and balance between the front angulation and the hind angulation € as laid down by the standard.

There is a sound practical, mechanical reasons for this € not merely based on individual interpretations of aesthetic, but on mechanical considerations.