I'm the proud owner of a 7 month old sable GS bitch who is an Otis grand-daughter. We we're just at the Vet's and the Doc there told me she is way too skinny because she is only 53lbs and should be 65 or 70lbs! In case you didn't know, a female should weigh 90-100lbs! They don't understand that she is a working dog and not a show dog.
I find that people go out of their way to come up and check her out. They always comment on how beautiful she is and always ask "Is she part German Shepherd?" Or, "What kind of dog is she?" It gives me an opportunity to educate them on the differences between breeds.
Is there any progress with the AKC in designating/recognizing an American Shepherd and a German Shepherd? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

People just are not used to seeing sables. My cousin has a dark sable bitch and when she lived in GA she used to walk the dogs at a park. Everyone would walk by whispering that she was walking a wolf. Good thing my cousin would stopped them and set them straight. I just wonder how many people out there still think she had a wolf LOL

I know vets aren't always savvy to every breed, but GSD's are very popular and I would be concerned if my vet said the normal weight for a female was 90-100lbs, even if they were referring to a conformation dog! That's large by male standards. I too have an Otis granddaughter and I get the exact same reactions you do. She is also small, at 55 lbs adult weight. She is close to bi-color, (black head and torso, tan legs) and a very stocky build. I think a lot of people just have a vision of Rin Tin Tin when they think of a GSD. As for your AKC question, there was a lengthy discussion about this on a previous post. You should get some good insight by referring to it:

http://www.leerburg.com/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=14&t=000046

This is just as a parenthesis within the general discussion--meant to provide a chuckle.

I, too, have a dark sable GSD (male) that has been mistaken for a WOLF HYBRID <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> on more than one occasion. Anyway his original vet used to tell me that Iggy was the only dog in the practice that was not overweight (95 lbs when he was full-grown). This vet used to call his new veterinary assistants in when I had Iggy there--he'd have them run their hands over Ig's ribcage while exclaiming, "THIS is what a dog should look like!"

On the other hand, I've had idiots ask me, and other people I know who work their dogs, why our dogs are so "emaciated." <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Pete Felknor

This just goes to show that working dogs and general dog health have a long way to go in this country. The AKC fancy, the dog owning/loving public, and even the vet. community know exactly DICK about working dogs. Or hell, any dogs for that matter. Training, health/feeding, raising. . . .

It's like Steel Magnolias baby- very, very, very -F-ing sad. . .

And now I will answer Tim N.'s original question directly: Afraid not, Tim. I did hear about the AKC sanctioning a Schutzhund "demonstration" at some show (I think it was last year) -- but most of the AKC German "Shepherd" people I have known don't like the German dogs at all and would just as soon they would go away. The German dogs are said to be "blocky," "wolflike," and (of course) "vicious." Bear in mind that the AKC "Shepherd" people have completely bred out the sable coat -- and then they wonder where the pigment went. Duh?

I am freelancing here, but I don't think the AKC would have any problem with establishing a formal differentiation between the American and German lines. The problem arises when the name brand "German Shepherd Dog" comes up. The AKC won't let it go and the German SV is sure as hell not going to let it go either. I've never quite understood the AKC's rabid attachment to the name, since what they envision for the GSD is so radically opposed to what Max von Stephanitz had in mind when he labored to create the ultimate working dog.

Pete Felknor

Ah, but see those AKC buttholes think THEY are breeding the best GSD in the world. They truly believe that worthless animal they all show and love is the truest ideal of the GERMAN shepherd. Just what old Max had in mind when he created the breed.

I can't count the times that American GSD breeders have told me things like,"oh my stud dog is a great working animal, I know he could be a police dog." "Our GSDs are the perfect balance of working ability and show quality." "Sable, what is that?"

Another funny thing, has anyone noticed the new trend of AKC Show breeders using things like "Quality Shepherds for show, protection, sport, or police work." in their ads. Look at Dog Fancy or Dog World. It's great fun to call the breeders and ask questions about schutzhund or other working titles, working drives, etc. "The sire did not have a 'schultzhound' title but he is VERY protective."

I'm a little prejudiced against the AKC if any of you can't tell. I have a lot of anger to resolve. My inner child is wounded. . . My shonkras are out of line. . .

I think Pete hit the nail on the head <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> about the importance of keeping the "German Shepherd" name. You have to believe that the AKC will never let it go.
Maybe the name isn't as important as upholding the standards for the GSD. Even if you watch the Westminster crap-off or whatever it's called anyone can see that the judges aren't even using the AKC standards. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Question: How can we get the AKC to change the name of the cripples to American Shepherd, and/or abide by the real GSD standards?
I think that if anything will ever happen, it will have to start out on a grass-root level (local clubs, etc.)
Any thoughts? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The Best in Show prize given every year at Westminster is in fact a cover-up for the real crimes that occur earlier in the event. There is an unmitigated bias against real dogs. By real dogs I mean dogs that are proud to be dogs. Dogs that would assume they were under attack if their owner came at them with a hair dryer. Dogs that were bred to do things: track, hunt, kill, protect, fetch, for god’s sake, fetch. Real dog are not creatures that were bred for dress-up parties and for French men who want to compensate for the fact that they never got to wear ribboned-bouffant hairdos themselves.

Jonah Goldberg, editor, National Review, commenting on the 99 show.
http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg021099.html

There's a marketing slogan in there for you Ed: Real dogs for real people. <g>