Retrieved 20 July 2008. As Max von Stephanitz stated, 'A pleasing appearance is desirable, but it can not put the dog's working ability into question.' Max pounded the issue that the German Shepherd was a working breed first and foremost. The Kennel Club's position is that 'this issue of soundness is not a simple difference of opinion, it is the fundamental issue of the breed's essential conformation and movement.' The Kennel Club has decided to retrain judges to penalize dogs suffering these problems. Omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of cartilage catabolism in in vitro models, suggesting that its supplementation in food could aid in decreasing the symptoms of osteoarthritis in German shepherds. Furthermore, EPA and DHA inhibit key regulators of the inflammatory process and suppress their activation which can help alleviate pain and reduce inflamed joints associated with many skeletal disorders.