***Why shouldn't I purchase a DDR dog?*** - Page 2

Having done GSD rescue for over 20 years, and having been a breeder for the last 12, I find Czech & DDR working line dogs NOT to have appropriate energy levels for the average family. High energy levels and not enough mental stimulation for these dogs makes them develop odd neurotic behaviors and they become quite destructive. These are dogs not just capable of work (like conformation line dogs) but DEMANDING to work. If you're prepared and equipped to deal with the energy levels, pick a reputable breeder and go ahead :-) Sue-Ann

Here's a 7 page thread from which addressing your question. http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4157304/an/0/page/0#Post4157304

GSDLVR, I am not trying to promote fear about acquiring GSDs. My purpose was to promote the idea that a well informed buyer can realistically institute control ahead of time to minimize the risk of acquiring a GSD that will have later debilitating, heartbreaking and expensive health problems or unsuitable temperament. The time to be proactice is before you acquire the GSD. I think one could find a suitable sch and family dog from many different lines, Czech and old classical DDR bloodlines if one is careful to do adequate research and is willing to pay for screning lab work and xrays before the acquisition is finalized. I do believe that anyone who just buys a young GSD puppy without doing such due dilligence should be afraid of what can occur if things go wrong (and the odds are probably at least 20-25% if you aren't very proactive before the acquisition). Anyone can do it and this greatly increases their odds of success. It just takes work and time. You can get the GSD you and your husband want which is healthy in mind and body if you do your due dilligence and are willing to pay the additional costs of obtaining pre-acquisition certaintly of condition and potential developmental results.

I guess I lucked out with the parents of my puppy then...I have never seen another breed of dog act like a Golden Retriever, esspecially one such as a working line GSD...Go with your gut instint, if you don't like the parents, like the lines, switch to show, they might and probably will be easier to handle. I personally have NO fear, the sire and dam I met were some of the best behaved and most friendly, and ***CALM***, YES, I said CALM, dogs, and I breed GOLDENS, I know CALM! There are good and bad specimans in every breed, and like the show and working shepherds, every sub-breed, just take the time to meet the parents, I spent at least two hours with them, and they were calm after the first time the breeder said to be friendly...Sorry some of you have had expirances with crazy drive dogs... :( Good Luck on your search, let us know if you "lucked out" like I did, and found a nice breeder breeding nice quality FAMILY dogs, with exceptional bloodlines, Krista blueskyekennels@msn.com

I am GSDLVR'S husband and new to this site. I am in awe at the amount of love everyone here has for their respective dogs. I have watched over the last 2 days as my wife has pleaded her case about our sad experience with our show female and male. And now has gone on to ask your help about the DDR lines. I have owned and bred western working lines, american lines, and now my beloved show male (who is only good for loafing on the couch and being my best friend). In my 15 years with the breed I have heard a lot about "this dog is world class" or "this dog has a pedigree to die for". I have bred and owned puppies from "world class dogs" such as Endy V. Svenshome who took 12th place at the 96 BSP. And Tell von der Daelenberghutte and also Pirol van't Enclavehof who won the DSP Award at the 99 National Champinoship. And all I repeat ALL of my puppies developed only as far as the owner that purchased them. Genetics are very important, but environment (or nature vs. nurture) plays a MAJOR role in what you end up with. Case in point, I bred Endy to a Pirol daughter and ended up with an AWESOME litter, talk about drive! However one puppy went to a home that abused him and I ultimately took back the puppy, he was gorgeous black sable, and had NO drives except extreme defensive aggression. He acted like he had never seen a ball before at 10 months of age. He just could not grasp the concept of play. He was and still is quite a personal protection dog. Having said all that I would say that any pup, DDR/Czech, West German Prey Monster, or otherwise will be what we, as responsible, dedicated owners, make of him. And we are looking for a dog with more "focus" than drive with a clear head. I have trained prey monsters and NO THANK YOU! I dont have enough furniture in my house for that again! The way I was told is that DDR dogs fit that bill, thats what I care about. IF I am wrong please feel free to correct me. Thanks for all the input!

If you want to email me personally I will be happy to refer you to an honest breeder , with the lines you may be interested in and temperment unbeatable. I have one and so do some of my friends. I personally love the lines and work in Search and Rescue satlas5471@aol.com Sarah

Check out Eurosportk9.com They are in slovakia and texas

LOL he just said he can't pay and arm and a leg for the pup. Eurosport has some nice dogs but have your wallet ready.

It is interesting how there are SO many opinions out there on the DDR lines/dog, but then, I suppose it should not be a big surprise as it is true for other lines. Things I have heard about DDR dogs/lines are quite opposite of what some have written here. First, one of the most common things I hear is that they are handler sensitive. For most this seems to be a negative, however, I don't believe that is true and handler senstive does NOT equate 'soft'. Another trait you will hear often is that they do NOT have enough 'prey' drive for SchH. They tend to be 'real' dogs and very balanced in thier drives. I have bred 2 litters from DDR studs to my one female who is from herding/working lines with some highline mixed in. WONDEFUL, WONDEFUL, pups, dogs etc. Two have gone on to be explosive detection dogs, several are doing SchH (and doing well), one is trained for security/narocotic detection. Another is a HEARING asistant dog for a person who is deaf (obviously). I have a male that is phenominal at tending/boundary. THE most natural dog I have had. ALL the pups/dogs are in family situations and do extremely well. They are 'real' dogs for sure and will respond to a real threat BUT, they are also not nervy, and it often needs to be a real threat. (don't react quickly enough for some SchH people). My guy is THE most genetic obedient dog I have had and very verbal controlled (just need to use voice to control him). SUPER drives when needed but a nice calm dog when not.( he will be 2 yrs. tommorrow). Responses I get from buyers/owners are ALL very positive. Some 'stubborness' issues with a few but worked through. Seem to be quite balanced in drives and not over the top in any. I have been very impressed with the DDR lines thus far. I am sure there are good/bad in them as in any others. If you look at some of the older pedigrees of herding dogs there are many DDR lines in there. One of THE main traits that would be looked for and valued is a dog with a lot of genetic obedience, willingnees to work WITH a handler etc. Other traits, balanced drives, a real work ethic, (this does not equate 'hyper' and over the top), thinker, steady /confident dog.

I had a mixed DDR dog that was nothing but a big handsome couch potato. He was as good as he could be except his whole life revolved around the ball and growling at my female over the ball. I have a pup now (almost 2) mixed working lines/DDR and oh I love him so much. I have had him since he was 10 weeks old and bought him from a breeder that I explained exactly what I wanted. He has all the ball drive in the world, confidence, very protective of his home and yard. He is handsome, doesn't tear the house or the car apart--in fact he was a pretty good pupper--housebroke easily. The only "problem" if one would call it that, is that he is very slow maturing. My goal for him is AKC obedeince and a BH and I have figured out it's going to take a little longer than other dogs I have had. So it's not a problem to me, I am taking it nice and ez with him. He loves everyone that comes to visit but I sincerely believe if someone came in to do me harm he would protect me. I also have an 8 yr old ScH dog, mixed working/showlines. If someone came in here without a sleeve on she would tuck tail and RUN as fast as she could. My next purchase will be a pure DDR dog. I like their ways and their looks. Just my preference.