How to evaluate structure (puppy)

balakai · 03-09-2008, 07:59 PM

Does anybody have any tips for evaluating puppy structure? There is a 3 month old (could be older, looks more like 5-6 to me) at the Indianapolis Humane Society; I may be going to look at her tomorrow. It's about 2 hours 45 minutes from my house, but she's pulling, no, yanking on my heartstrings.

I want to do agility; I know that there could be hip/elbow issues that aren't apparent, but what CAN I look for?

~Kristin

**Andaka** · 03-09-2008, 09:11 PM

I would say look for a square puppy (one who is as long from chest to rump as he is tall) or just a tiny bit longer than tall. The hocks and pasterns are going to seem overly long at that age, but you want tight feet and strong pasterns.

I would also look at whether or not the puppy was willing to work for food or a toy before I got too excited about a performance dog. After feeding her a couple of pieces of food, take a piece of food and hold it lightly in your fist (not too tight). If she tries to figure out how to get the food out, then give it to her. It is just a quicky test, but it can indicate to you if she will work thru a problem.

Good Luck!

zyppi · 03-09-2008, 10:00 PM

Here's a link for you.
http://www.gsdca.org/Noframes/standard/Illo35.htm

03-09-2008, 07:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
balakai Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mowrystown, OH Posts: 2,762	How to evaluate structure (puppy) Does anybody have any tips for evaluating puppy structure? There is a 3 month old (could be older, looks more like 5-6 to me) at the Indianapolis Humane Society; I may be going to look at her tomorrow. It's about 2 hours 45 minutes from my house, but she's pulling, no, yanking on my heartstrings. I want to do agility; I know that there could be hip/elbow issues that aren't apparent, but what CAN I look for? ~Kristin __________________ and the Balakai Mesa Mutts + a GSD Yoda, CATCH3 GM AAD AS ASA AJ TN-E TG-E OGC EJC EAC WV-O NADAC Nov/Open Vers TSAD TMAG Darby, CL1 CL2-S CL2-F CL2-H TN-N L1-PLT India, CL1-F CL2-H CL1-S ATB: GSDs Baron, Duke, All American JD

03-09-2008, 09:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Andaka "I like Daffy" Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New Douglas, IL ( near St. Louis) Posts: 2,435	Re: How to evaluate structure (puppy) I would say look for a square puppy (one who is as long from chest to rump as he is tall) or just a tiny bit longer than tall. The hocks and pasterns are going to seem overly long at that age, but you want tight feet and strong pasterns. I would also look at whether or not the puppy was willing to work for food or a toy before I got too excited about a performance dog. After feeding her a couple of pieces of food, take a piece of food and hold it lightly in your fist (not too tight). If she tries to figure out how to get the food out, then give it to her. It is just a quicky test, but it can indicate to you if she will work thru a problem. Good Luck! __________________ Daphne and the Gang at Andaka Where Beauty and Brains Come Together http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/germ...&results_in=10 Home of Ch Natty; Ch Doll; Jag RA (ch ptd); Sara RN (ch ptd); Bella (the new one); and Fisher (Mr. Evil) At the Bridge: Ch Kahla CD; Ch Keno UD HSAs OA; Ch Kizzy HSAs RE; Ch Tag CD RAE2; Ch Pharra; Bee PT; Ch Red the Dachshund

03-09-2008, 10:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
zyppi Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Back home to Louisiana! Posts: 4,943	Re: How to evaluate structure (puppy) Here's a link for you. http://www.gsdca.org/Noframes/standard/Illo35.htm __________________ Anne Nothing is as simple as it seems or as complicated as we make it~ Attitude is everything -- Pick a good one! Sofie AKA Ussina vom Haus Brezel Jack von Jagenstadt Tatty - Burmese bad cat

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