Old school German Shepherds - Page 9

Joanro-
Certainly some truth to your statements.
But, when selling pups, even the breeder can’t predict the outcome of how the pup will be. Pups can turn out great or less great. Pups are always a crap shoot.

When selling adults or young dogs, yes, usually ‘not the best’ are sold. The best are of course kept... or sold to their own peeps in the industry.

But one can’t really fault the Germans for that. Can one?
 

A breeder knowingly selling the best dogs without having the ability to make use of them later on is plain crazy, no matter if it's a German or an American...

Joanro, Cent was talking about Bodo Lierberg -as soon as this dog ( VA1 ) touched American soil his genes were wasted - nothing left, like there is almost nothing left out of 1000s of more or less famous imports ( including x-thousands of imported puppies... ).
Not the initial breeding stock is the real problem - breeders are not able to make good use of them.

I'm not 'faulting the Germans, Jesse, just giving explanation.
As for pups being sold...of course a breeder can predict with a great degree of certainty to out come of a puppy...that's what selection is all about. And yes, the German breeders are going to dump their less quality puppies on American buyers and keep the best for themselves and countrymen.

Well, Susie, seems there's 'nothing left' in germany , either since the German police won't buy any dogs from Germany anymore. So perhaps the genes of the German SL have run its' course and hit a dead end.

Certainly can't say 'nothing left' of the WL gsd in the USA. Many k9 are exported from America to Philippines for police work, and many American police k9 are sourced within country.

And I didn't suggest breeders should 'sell their best'....I'm saying they dump their *worst * on American buyers.

This is wrong thinking, Joan.
No American is forced to buy one single dog from Europe. It's free will, it's ones own choice.
I don't think it's necessary at all to import, it's just necessary to learn.

Centurian -

"my first dog that I described from 1960 inside was a soldier . Meaning unrelenting , powerful , very high tolerance to pain and a high stress level . Very discerning , faithful , obedient , loyal , always watchful ready willing and able to put his life on the line to protect if needed. However , anyone looking at the dog not only would but RESPECTED this dog ."

"But here is what you wrote comes to play . He never ever had to be aggressive, he was calm** , approachable and social yet he knew when to be suspicious. He never in a manner of speaking had to act out. He never had to present himself as an aggressor , bully . Yet he could take anyone out in a flash . Yes calm and good natured but you didn't screw around ! I don't know if I express his demeanor , but this is hard to find, I think ."

You expressed it perfectly and that is what my GSD superdog was like. He was put to the test several times and chased off bad guys very efficiently every time. They didn't see him until the last minute or they never would have approached. He had a cold icy stare for thugs that froze their blood. But any decent stranger could pet him and he sought out and tried to comfort people who were in pain or other distress.

And for those of you who think these are exaggerated memories from childhood, I got my superdog when I was in my 50's.

When breeders breed for extreme drive, they get dogs who are obsessed with a chunk of rubber on a rope. That wonderful superdog trait--a sense of duty that includes focusing on you and taking joy and pride in working with you and doing what you ask him to do--disappears from those lines. The dogs are working for the ball not for you.

susie

In most cases people remember one special dog out of their childhood, no matter their birthdate. Interesting, isn't it?

 c'mon Susie, i remember all my dogs and as matter of fact my first GS was weakest one ,
comparing to next four. but still, was better than my last one with official paperwork. 
and i should repeat myself, i did put enormous effort in search back then in 2004-2005.
Centurian, in a post above yours, did pretty good description. i should only add - my 
dogs was reliable, literaly, in any respect. last dog was all from Centurian's description
but never earned my full confidence in him, as i had with mine ossis.

No American is forced to buy one single dog from Europe. It's free will, it's ones own choice.
I don't think it's necessary at all to import, it's just necessary to learn. 

 absolutely agree - it's all about breeders goals and a motivation what for they become breeders of GS dogs.

Susie, when people buy from Germany, the original home of the gsd, they think they are getting gthe best of the best. Like you said, it would be nuts to send the best out of Germany....the breeders keep them for themselves. Understandable.
For that reason smart buyers go to Germany, with insider assistance, to get quality.

"Smart buyers" always take a personal look at the dog they are interested in, no matter if it's a German or an American bred dog.
Sad reality: people shop "online" , buying pedigrees instead of dogs.
They dream about the perfect dog, but don't know that even the most talented dog needs education and socialisation.

They take a look at nice training videos, but don't understand what they see.
They keep their pup on their own property almost all it's life, maybe "socialise" it at 2 occasions at Petsmart.
They "train" sit and down in the backyard.
Later on they wonder why the dog didn't become the perfect dog they paid for...

Forgot to mention: some months later this dog will be bred - just because it's good money and the American landsmen won't mind.