CHAPTER IV 
A Comparison of the American Bred Dogs 
and the Standard 
N analysis of the Standard reveals a very 
thorough covering of the points of the perfect 
Shepherd and it is difficult to amplify it without 
causing confusion and losing sight of its salient fea¬ 
tures. A comparison of the major part of the dogs 
today with this standard is perhaps useful to the 
degree that we might strive to a nearer approach 
by an elimination of the graver general faults. The 
Standard suggests a heighth of 22 to 26 inches. 
The greater part of the best winning males today 
measure from 25 to 27 inches; in fact, there are 
more that measure over 25 inches than under. Here 
in America I would consider these large males an 
asset, for there are still a great many weedy and 
small American-breds. As the breed becomes more 
established and when the blood lines are followed 
more intelligently we can lay more stress upon the 
finish and then hold more closely to the ideal size, 
but the many weedy bitches in America demand 
large rugged sires. In the matter of character, one 
of the very apparent faults in our dogs is shyness. 
This was undoubtedly intensified in America by the 
breeding of shy individuals to those of a similar 
characteristic and sometimes both individuals had 
( 44 ) 
