German shepards and Alsations (sizes)

[amberlynn83]

I have found out now that german shepards and alsations are definately the same thing? Why do different ones vary so much in size. I've seen german shepards the size of great danes before, and yet seen german shepards the size of a large collie?

[jills]

it's just kind of like people. Even those from the same family will be different sizes.And for dogs that's not just dependant on whether you buy a bitch or a dog. If you wanted a relatively small one, let the breeder know this when you look at the pups one, ditto for a big one. That said, size of parents/pedigree are still no guarantee of future size.

[woofgang]

In the Kennel club or AKC standard, there will be max and min sizes for dogs and bitches, so those extra large and extra small ones will be outside the standard and may not be pure bred. Some breedrs will breed what the market wants and sometimes this is to the detriment of the dog, so beware

[woofgang]

sorry I meant "in the Kennel club...."

[Drewhound]

The KC says around 25" for dogs and 23" for bitches but good conformation for the size is far more important. As woofgang says breeders vary in their ideas and it pays tp find a good one