[Liesje]

I don't have a problem with massive dogs, if that's what people like (but I wonder why not get a Shiloh, since that's how they look and act?), but I'm still not seeing how this represents the "old fashioned" GSD. I will never own one because personally I like a very lean, well conditioned, athletic, active dog.

I'm not super picky on size and I've never seen judges being really picky in shows either. My dog has never been measured besides my unofficial attempt to satisfy my own curiosity. They are required to be measured for Koer, but not every judge will measure during a show, and even if they do they do not have to throw the dog out because it's half an inch over or under. I have seen/heard many a judge comment on size in general- not specifically height, but a dog that is just plain massive and/or too heavy or not in correct condition. My bitch is a UKC champion with legs towards her Grand (meaning she has beaten other champions multiple times) and she's about half an inch under the standard height. In my experience showing in three different venues, the judge is looking at the overall size, and more importantly the condition of the dog. The dog must be lean and physically fit. Most dogs I see being marketed as the oversized gentle giants are simply just too heavy and not in correct condition.