I think heads are, "Difficult to define, unmistakeable when present"

 

Gunner is an ASL and I think he has a very masculine head.

 

handsome!!

 

Indra has a very nice head for a female (except for her ear).
She's not the prettiest dog but I always loved her head.

I loved Orry's head. He was an awesome dog.
Orry vom Gehrenmoos - working-dog.eu

Yoschi ... it can't get more masculine than him
Yoschy von der Döllenwiese - working-dog.eu

 

Yoschi ... it can't get more masculine than him
Yoschy von der Döllenwiese - working-dog.eu

So what in your opinion is the difference between the heads on the Czech dogs that you think are too much, and the heads on Yoschy or the dog I posted, Canto vom Haus Endrikat?

 

I guess everyone likes what they are conditioned to like or grow up with.....people with ASLs think their heads are great....when I started, I saw all types of GSDs and thought Xito was the most gorgeous - and he is WGWL...

but some people think Egyptian Arabian horses are ugly and Polish pretty....


Lee

 

I think this is a very balanced head, but of course I'm biased.

 

so here is one that is a bit of everything - you don't think this is masculine either?

 

What about Yukons?

 

I wish I had noted the name of the dog I saw a picture of, WGSL, and his profile was very close to an L.
I remember people going on and on about how great his head was while I was thinking that it just wasn't to my liking in any way.

The forehead on the dog was very steep and straight.

 

Lee, Love the heads on the dogs you posted.

GSD07, I don't like "wet" heads either, and I've noticed MANY dogs from all lines with really loose flews as of late.

I'm really not a fan of the heads of most American dogs, but Capi and Ike have nice male heads. I am generally hard pressed to find a correct head on an AmLine bitch. I've also noticed, however, that skulls are generally properly proportioned, and it's the muzzle that has really gone weak.

 

GSD07, I don't like "wet" heads either, and I've noticed MANY dogs from all lines with really loose flews as of late.

What do you mean with "wet"?

 

As much as I like broad, blocky heads, I do NOT like loose flews--a GSD should be tight-lipped and dry-mouthed. I think breeding for strong heads with tight lips will automatically select for a head type that is not so big and blocky as to be extreme.

I have to say, the pictures everyone has posted of their own dogs, are lovely examples of good heads!

 

I like this females head, for me it's perfect. But I'm a bit biased since she's my pups dam.
SG Niki ze Stribrneho kamene - German Shepherd Dog
more pics here
Niki ze Stribrneho kamene CS - working-dog.eu

As for males I like heads like this
VYBORNY Ox z Jirkova dvora - German Shepherd Dog
more here
Ox z Jirkova dvora CS - working-dog.eu

Since i'm no expert I'm wondering if any of these are "correct"? I think for the male it might be a bit bulkier than the standard, but it goes with the rest of his body.

 

From the pictures I've seen of american lines I don't like the weak muzzles either, but the droopy eyes and position of the ears are what throws me back.

As Cliff, I'm biased, but I think Akela's head would be just perfect if his lips were a bit tighter, though if I compare pictures of him at 9 month old he seems to look more dry than since then. (He also has a slight dip over his right eye, but that is because of an accident at 2 m/0)

And Akela's next to Diabla's head. Beyond all her structure faults, including lack of pigmentation, I love her head, who is strong without lose femininity.

 

For me, Akela's head is far too coarse, but I think Diabla's head is lovely.

Mrs K, a wet head is loose flews, droopy eyes, and loose skin around the neck. Almost houndy.

 

Ah, yes. I agree. Don't like that either.

 

I don't think Akela's head is too coarse, but I see what you mean about the loose lips... it makes his muzzle look bigger than it actually is.

 

Here's a pic of Logan, aka The Face. He knew how to use The Face to get something he wanted! Pretty boy, tho I would have preferred tighter lips.

This pic was taken when he was 9.5 years old:

Once upon a time we were at a herding instinct test put on by a herding breeds conformation club. Ulf Kintzel was the evaluator. I had the only 2 GSDs there, and Ulf tested my dogs in the tending style. As Logan (conformation dog, Am and German show lines) trotted back and forth outside the fence, Ulf said to the AKC breed judge from the club "SO Mr. Breed Judge, how do you like THIS dog?" The judge struck a judge-like pose (hand on chin) and said "Well he's clean coming and going, and has a nice side gate....but his HEAD is entirely TOO COARSE." Ulf just looked at me and shook his head. I said to Ulf later "And that's EXACTLY why I stopped showing Logan in AKC shows!" In my eyes, Logan's head was beautiful and certainly not a problem area! (he had OTHER problem areas!)

Now this was in 1999.....around that time the heads were VERY snipey. Things have definitely improved since then!!

 

Once upon a time we were at a herding instinct test put on by a herding breeds conformation club. Ulf Kintzel was the evaluator. I had the only 2 GSDs there, and Ulf tested my dogs in the tending style. As Logan (conformation dog, Am and German show lines) trotted back and forth outside the fence, Ulf said to the AKC breed judge from the club "SO Mr. Breed Judge, how do you like THIS dog?" The judge struck a judge-like pose (hand on chin) and said "Well he's clean coming and going, and has a nice side gate....but his HEAD is entirely TOO COARSE." Ulf just looked at me and shook his head. I said to Ulf later "And that's EXACTLY why I stopped showing Logan in AKC shows!" In my eyes, Logan's head was beautiful and certainly not a problem area! (he had OTHER problem areas!)

Then I'll take coarse as a compliment :thumbup:

Now, talking specifically about heads: What you mean with "coarse"?

 

I know what you mean about the chow/akita look....afraid to post any pictures because for sure someone will get offended. I have a friend who has a dog with that style of head, she thinks he's gorgeous......I keep thinking he's over-done.

 

I really don't like to see a feminine head on a male. I like the West German heads... and I am not a fan of the ASL heads - but I personally know one male (Liz's Stark, she posted pictures on this thread) that has the perfect head!

I LOVE Boy: Boy von Zorra - German Shepherd Dog

Definitely want my next pup from him.

 

Mrs K -- those were not even Czech dogs that I posted .
The heads with the wet flews are like a modern St Bernard .

I provided show line dogs that were moving over to a St Bernard type head , BUT here is a poster with some very nice heads -- show lines (female) http://www.vom-spessartblick.de/html/poster_0.htm

 

Mrs K -- those were not even Czech dogs that I posted .
The heads with the wet flews are like a modern St Bernard .

I provided show line dogs that were moving over to a St Bernard type head , BUT here is a poster with some very nice heads -- show lines (female) Poster

The link of the video was Czech Dogs, wasn't it and I thought you posted them because you thought they were excellent heads or did I quote the wrong post?

list of males with excellent GSD male heads

 

I think Benny has a nice masculine head.

 

I always thought that if Trent's lips were dryer (too "flewy"), he'd have a lovely, strong head... for a bitch :rofl:

No, I don't like overdone heads, but I prefer those that are distinctly masculine. And frankly, I like his head just fine... just never saw it as "correct".

 

I have a personal like for strong head pieces.....
I love the head "type" of these particular dogs (that I own)..

Female WL

Female WL

Female SL under 12mos.

Male SL over 12mos

Male SL 6 1/2 mos.

*I like good cheek bone, clear expression, balanced stop & strong under jaws.....but all people have different preferences...this is just my "type".*

 

I think that depending on who you ask, the definition of a "correct" head is going to vary drastically. I don't know any good technical terms to describe it, but I personally do not care for dogs with very wide heads with snouts that look sort of pushed up and Akita-like. I think many people are looking for shepherds with heads build like a mastiff's, and that's just personally not my kinda thing.

I am really pleased with Aiden's head (of course). He has very masculine structure, but it's not over the top.

From the front.

Kind of a profile.

Some miscellaneous ones.

 

V12 Vello von der Niddereiche - German Shepherd Dog
G Caro vom Allerswald - German Shepherd Dog

Yoncalla's Mike GV CH. ROM Yoncallas Mike - German Shepherd Dog

female "american bred" Dawnhill's Carli

SEL CAN & AM CH Winning Ways Chimo - German Shepherd Dog

 

SEL CAN & AM CH Winning Ways Chimo - German Shepherd Dog

Really like Chimo. A lot in common with Abby: Black Jack; Nike; Sundance.

 

This is my favorite dog's head....Hope to acquire a pup one day by him.
SG, ED NORMAL ZW 78 Kinski vom Heidhof - German Shepherd Dog

 

Nice head overall, but just like my dog, lips are to loose to my taste.