Opinions on this pup?

[Freestep]

This is Vinca von Sontausen, pictured here at 4.5 months. She's self-stacked! I have had a few people tell me she could do well in AKC conformation, but I know they prefer more topline. She is all German working lines and I think it would be fun to get a working dog into the AKC ring, but of course she must fit the standard and be a good representative. What do you think? I also posted these photos in the "Conformation" forum, before I realized there was a "Critique" forum.




I tried to get some shots of her in motion, but this was the best I could do:





A couple of headshots




Personality photos:

[robinhuerta]

I think she could rate well in the German Conformation....a nice VP rating.

[selzer]

I think you might do best in all-breed shows, but the dog is nice, and I think she has a nice topline. Good expression.

[Andaka]

If she were mine I would show her in AKC all-breed shows. She is very nice.

[istie]

She has a lovely high wither in stance, looks like she has lovely reach and drive.
I would give it a go if her breeder agrees

[EJQ]

Well, I can tell you that from what I can see in the photos I like her a lot. I believe that she is show worthy.
AKC is my only concern.
She is of German blood and she looks it. You might not find may AKC judges that will like her. I speak from experience. Eventough I train the puppies that we keep as therapy dogs, I thought it might be fun to try some showing. I have (or had) shown ARA in two Sieger shows. She did quiet well. She has shown in three AKC all breed shows. Because she is German bred, she stood out like a sore thumb. No sign of cow hocks, no steep rear angulation, strong secondary sexual characteristics - very much like your girl. We got trashed every time!! One judge told me point blank "there is nothing about her that I like".
I don't mean to be totally negative but you have to consider the source and be prepared to be disappointed. Perhaps there are some folks out there that have had similar experiences.

[AgileOllie]

My husband and I have been searching for a LONG time for a breeder that we like, so that in the future we will know which breeder produces what we like in a GSD. She is exactly what we would be looking for. She is NOT what the AKC 'likes', obviously, but she is what many would love to have. I think she is gorgeous. What are her working lines like?

[4TheDawgies]

She is beautiful! Show her in some local German Conformation shows!

[LaRen616]

She's gorgeous!

[selzer]

Well, that's the thing about showing. You don't just find a show in your area and sign your dog up. It is NO fun whatsoever to hear a judge diss your dog. Showing is work. You have to prepare the dog for a show with training, yupp, conformation training and you have to learn what to do, what not to do, etc. But wait, there is more. You have to go to shows, and watch what is winning and by whom. If you see a dog kind of like yours with championship points, find out who the judges were.

It is time-consuming, emotional, and expensive to show a dog, and to show one under a judge that will give you no chance whatsoever, is certainly not worth it.

I have done well in matches, took a few firsts, a BOB, and a group 2, but I am too chicken to put my money and my feelings on the line for championship points. I would have to spend a lot more time learning the judges.