I'm interested in finding out, how to test a 6 month old GSD to see if he is sharp or has thin nerves. Or possibly just some warning flags or behaviors which would indicate such. I also read on ED's "q & a On Protection Training Puppies & Young Dogs" That some pups may show behaviors that may indicate sharpness however depending on the bloodline they outgrow it, as they develop through different stages.

Any comments...

I would advice you give the dog more time, as a 6 month old puppy is just that, a puppy.

Thank you, the breeder and I have come to the same conclusion.

Nice pic in your sig.

edit: is this a normal photo or has it been prop'd up. The lighting and shadows are excellent.

From what I understand (and since I have dogs with poor nerves)

nervy and sharp dogs hackle more often
They bark/alert on lower stimulation than a strong-nerved dog would
They worry more/are anxious

I did not notice any difference in my puppy's level of nerviness/sharpness between 6 and 17 months of age. i would say his level of nerves/sharpness started being noticeable around 2-3 months.

I am sure an experienced breeder would be able to detect it much earlier. I only have experience with one litter of puppies. I have had other dogs acquired as adults that do not have sound nerves and they exhibited the above symptoms.

The sound nerved dogs did not startle as easily, and if they did startle they recovered quickly. Hardly any hackling (if ever). They were more confident and relaxed.

However, I think this varies by breed.

There are two factors at play.. genetics and socialization (the old nature vs nurture).

I do not know if a dog who is sharp as a puppy would become solid nerved as an adult or vice versa. That did not happen with my dog. From my understanding, nerves are basically genetic, and would not change much as the dog gets older.

Although, there is the socialization component. A very well socialized dog will be much better off behaviour wise, and it would help mitigate any nerviness or sharpness, but if they are nervy as puppies I would assume that is their temperament. An un-socialized puppy, even with the soundest temperament, will be more nervous than its well socialized littermate.

Then there are some dog behaviourists who talk about "fear periods" that dogs go through when they are puppies, and those dogs that do that do outgrow the fearful behaviour.

That probably didn't help much...