Thank you, Tracy, for your balanced and informative answer.

Good post Tracy. I am a firm beleiver that form follows function. I do think conformation is important, but only second to temperament and health. I am curious as to how can temperament be evaluated in a show ring though? The AKC has a detailed explanation of each breed's temperament, but every conformation show I've seen has never shown the temperament being evaluated.

hi,

First, a Disclaimer: this is neutral info and not intended as any support, defense or attack of any type of GSD that anyone on here likes or dislikes.... (hahahaha...) i do not show GSD's but used to show aussies.

i will add points that are judged in AKC shows:
movement, level topline, equal forward reach in front & drive in the rear, converging coming and going, tail set, ear set, dentition, bite, tight feet, pastern, shoulder and stifle angles....
temperment is at very limited evidence in such an environment. if a dog is used to showing you wont see much. judges also look for that extra something/pizzazz that a dog may have, "ring presence", where one is just drawn to look at him.
----all the above judged against the Breed Standard and not against each other dog. whatever dog conforms to the standard (and taking who's at the end of the leash into consideration always) ---WINS!

: /

Alex,
tempermenet is only evaluated as far as: not shrinking away from the judge upon approach and examintaion, not fearful, cowering or visibly nervous, aussies are supposed to be reserved but not shy, can appear aloof. showing no aggression, or growling/barking at the judge--these behaviors are supposed to be excused from the ring.(altho i saw that not always to be the case, again depending on who was holding the leash).

Thanks for the response Jennifer. So are you saying that in a US conformation ring, the dog is being judged against it's breed standard physically, but not so when it comes to temperament? That doesn't seem right.

From what I have learned thus far. I really like the European style of conformation. You learn so much from the critiques vs. seeing 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. I'm not sure about other breeds, but when the Boxer is judged, there are sparring matches to show how the dog stacks as well as the dog's courage & character. Much better evaluation IMHO. Sorry for the quick hijack Elaine.

i am saying that there is a very limited sample of the dogs' temperments viewable in the conf ring. a judge just wouldnt see very much at all. i guess they *assume* that it is up to the breeders to assess the temperment at home and in breed-appropriate situations and only those that are tempermentally & mentally sound *are* brought into the ring. but we know that is far from the truth in any breed. the phrasing i posted above was paraphrased from the aussie standard that i recall from my head. but the point is they have about 3 to 5 mins in which to assess the dog---and they focus on what is most easy to assess in that time (physical structure, movement, breed type). its really a huge shame.

written critiques would be SO helpful to breeders.

The "Original GSD":
http://www.gsdca.org/GSDReviewed/hdogs/HorandGrafrath.html

I like the

 Quote:

the wildest ruffian and incorrigible provoker of strife.

Now thats a description I'd like to hear read at Westminster.

I actively show my dogs in the conformation so you won't hear me knocking it. However, I will say that temperament is really not evaluated. The only time that temperament is really pointed out is if the dog is a headcase - can't be gone over, cowering, or nails the judge. Temperament is far more than that.

For instance, in my breed, the standard calls for a "suspicious glint" in the eye but "amendable to handling in the ring." This, at least how I interpret it, means a dog that is serious and while not thrilled with having a stranger go over him, will suck it up because he respects his handler's authority. I see my breed losing that temperamental trait. Partly, in my opinion, because the happy go lucky golden retriever temperament is easier to handle and quite a few people who own ACDs can't handle a dominant dog. My male is a serious dog. He has the suspicious glint in spades. Makes a lot of judges nervous which I find unfortunate because that is what a dog of his breed should have.

I believe that conformation shows have their place. But they are only a small part of the equation when considering breeding stock. I show in conformation just because it is one more facet to show off my dog and to show judges something different.

I think that this quote is pretty apropos:

Pedigree indicates what the animal should be.
Conformation indicates what the animal appears to be.
But Performance indicates what the animal actually is.

Thats a good Quote. And I'm with you Ingrid, I like showing my dog just because its another thing to do with him. I'm not claiming it's on the level of advanced ob but theres a reason my dog can show well enough to make an impression on a judge in that short amount of time and in that small ring. There is training involved.