KS: This breed is a moderate breed that should also be elegant and typey. Elegance should not be confused with an overly refined dog that lacks the bone and substance expected for the breed or one that lacks proper structure and movement. LS: There are two traits that are cause for breeders to take another look at their German Pinscher standard. The first is the lack of prosternum leaving the front legs unable to extend properly creating an up and down choppy gait, causing them to expend too much energy covering ground. Second is the shortness of leg and long backs. Not only does this cause the overall ideal elegant proportion and balance off, also causes for deviation in movement. LV: Oversized, unbalanced, poor topline and bad movement! RZ: Somehow, I feel the faulty toplines are becoming an accepted trait, by breeders, exhibitors and judges alike, causing them to become more exaggerated. 4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? KMH: I do not feel the current German Pinscher found in the ring is better than the original GP presented when the breed originated. There are features of the breed that are improving; e.g., the heads and eyes on a few here and there. The movement; however, needs improvement in some instances. Toplines are also a feature that was changed in the standard and still needs to catch up in some areas. I prefer the substance in the origination of the breed and feel it has gotten a bit slight over time. KS: Yes. Improvements have been made in structure and movement as well as in temperament. LS: Every decade has its great ones, but I believe the German Pinschers I see in the ring today have more consistent breed type. LV: Absolutely not! I have owned and bred German Pin- schers since 1993. We had mostly outstanding GPs. As German Pinschers numbers increased, the new owners seem to think that breeding larger GPS were better! The AKC standard is 17"-20". Some current GPs are as tall as 25". Judges have yet to give a BIS to a German Pinschers. There are too many “different types”. A judge does not want to be the one who chooses a GP that is not the best—or correct (GPs entered AKC in 2003). Yes, there are some outstanding GPs that are very worthy of a BIS! RZ: I really am not too sure how to answer this question. I really do not get the opportunity to judge many
German Pinchers, in spite of the fact that I love the breed! I feel they have not gained the popularity they deserve; so few are seen in the group. Also, I can tell you, the best one I ever laid eyes on was many years ago, long before they were recognized, at a very large Rare Breed show. I was told it was a California dog. It moved like the wind, was a black and tan, glossy coated, sleek and elegant, with a lovely level topline. I awarded the dog Best in Show that day and swore I was going to get myself a dog just like that one! I have never seen another that I liked so much! Several years ago, while judging in California, the day before or day after the national, I saw some very nice dogs! I awarded a dog from Mexico the Breed that day. The competition was strong and I wish to see more of that! 5. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? KMH: The two biggest misconceptions about the German Pinscher are 1) they are not a Miniature Pinscher and 2) they are not a small Doberman. KS: Topline and tailset. LV: Following the standard! German Pinschers are not Dobermans nor are they Miniature Pinschers. RZ: Toplines are mostly misunderstood. Judges rarely get to see a good correct topline. 6. Is breed education readily available? KMH: No. Not only is the GPCA lacking in breed seminars, it is also lacking in consistent educational material. LS: New judges should understand that the German Pinscher is not a Miniature Doberman Pinscher. LV: No. There appears to be one GPCA Club Member who does the seminars. RZ: The standard is available online 24 hours daily! I am not sure if the club has an illustrated standard yet or not. I do not have one. 7. How important are toplines? Movement? KMH: The correct topline is an integral part of the struc- ture. It will take breeders several generations to get the toplines well established in their breeding programs. Movement is extremely important as it is based on the structural foundation of the dog. The dog must have correct and well balance structure to be able to have correct movement. LS: Topline is paramount to the German Pinscher move- ment. The proper topline structure “the withers form the
“IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN STRUCTURE AND MOVEMENT AS WELL AS IN TEMPERAMENT.”
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