***Why shouldn't I purchase a DDR dog?*** - Page 1

Ok, my husband and I have agreed that we will be purchasing a DDR dog in December. If any EXPERIENCED GSD person/breeder/geneticist has an objection to DDR dogs, please speak now or forever hold your peace...I haven't heard one bad thing about them yet. Thanks!

From which DDR mating its puppy will originate? With best greeting Silvana www.dsh.de.md

Hello GSDlvr, ok, here it goes, but please dont nail me on this. I know i will get heat anyhow. Way back, when East Germany was still seperated from the western part of Europe, there were breeders over there just they are now there. But due to the limited genepool they could choose from, genetic issues were a problem. Now, this is how it was explained to me. There was alot of talking about this, after the wall came down. As of now, i have not heared of alot about it, so i am not be up to date. I do believe, they also had a lot of trouble with authoritys to extablish a kennel. What i do know is after the border came down, there were a many border dogs "left over" thatr noone really wanted, because of their extreme agression. This went through the media quite a bit. I would suggest, you try to find a breeder in Eastgermany, preferably one that maybe allready bred under DDR times. He could tell way more first hand, than anyone else. Hope this helps a bit. Kind Regards Ulli Dresbach

It's just like purchasing a GSD from any bloodlines. There are always strength and weaknesses. There are always a full range of types of breeders from outright sociopaths and con artists to narcissistic self-centerd users, to those with the highest knowledge levels and ethics. You will find this full range in breeders of DDR dogs also and must be able to figure the good from the bad. Also, you will find a full range of genetic, temperament and health issues at play. DDR dogs tend to be more incorrect confirmation wise, tend to be hard headed and good security dogs(often too much for a family), but also have a significant proportion that make okay sch dogs and family pets at the same time. It all copmes down to selecting a honorable, experienced, successful breeder and then picking a dog which has been properly screened with xrays and lab tests. There is no shortcut and no cheap way to get success. I suggest getting an older puppy (6months or older) and making sure all the xrays and medical tests are clean, the puppy is well id'd to prevent fraud, and personally checking out the dogs temperament. Take an experienced , knowledgeable friend with you if possible when you buy a dog. But most of all do your homework. There is a lot of work to do to get it right so that you don't have uinnnecessary problems later, in my view.

Wow, i have a lot of mistakes in my posting :-)!Sorry!

GSDLvr - are you on Steve Lino's DDR board????? The biggest issue I can see is that the DDR Dogs are a fad, a cult, in this country and many breed dogs who have not trained or titled the dogs, or who are breeding dogs wiht no titles...Many people are finding out they have "bitten off more than they can chew" with their breeding stock, and same with people who buy pups. The "biddablity" is not a strong trait in *most* DDR lines reportedly, my mostly DDR female always has had her own agenda!!! I agree that they can be breathtaking in looks - super pigment and males are so masculine...many dogs listed here recently from good German kennels are blending in some DDR lines - Manto Kahlenbach and Fiasko Gebruder Grimm are showing up judiously in WGR working pedigrees. Here again, esp in the US, the problem is that the breeding is done by people who are buying dogs and breeding without going through training and titles and understanding the true nature of what they have. Having taken one mostly DDR female from puppyhood to titles, and working on one her pups, I don't know that I would ever breed her to a dog of pure DDR lineage. [and yes, I *know* that there is no more DDR!!! Lady Crabbet has been dead a long time, yet there are still "Crabbet Arabians"!!!]

Wow - that's wild - I hadn't heard of this "civil agression" thing with DDR dogs until this messageboard. I was under the impression they weren't quite as hardcore over-the-top with drive as west german working, that they were more level-headed and more stout. To answer PSL, we were looking at DDR dog out of a Barox Cervene Zlato/Cheer Barnero son and York Anrebri/SG Allegra Egerstau daughter, but may choose a Grafental breeding. Not solid on that yet. Thanks for the history, Oskar1. Preston - you always make me want to freeze (out of fear) and do nothing! Kougar - yes, I have visited the DDR site many times. My husband and I are trying to find a middle ground - he loves working and is determined to prove they are better - I love show and am determined to have a beautiful GSD with no genetic defects....the middle ground we came up with was DDR - am I missing the boat? We had a situation not long ago where our show dogs were put to the test (not on purpose). The one with the most SCHH training turned tail and ran...the one least likely to fight DID. You can never really predict what a dog will do in that situation until it happens OR until you train truly as if it is happening....bottom line - my husband said FORGET THIS - we are getting a "REAL" protection dog. And, thus here we are diuscussing DDR dogs. I guess my biggest concern is the children - I HAVE GOT to have a dog that I can trust at ALL times with them no matter what...if my toddler crawls across them eating a filet mignon, the dog BETTER NOT touch one hair on its head. I believe with good breeding and great socialization, that is entirely possible.

GSDLVR, The lines you are looking at are Czech, at least close up. Most of them go back to DDR dogs but not all. This is actually a good things as the Czech lines selected just the best from the DDR and did not have as closed breeding programs. Please take a look at our litter that just whelped. Pups will be ready by Christmas and I think it meets your criteria exactly. http://p.hostingprod.com/@klatolklin.com/D-Litter.html Both sire and dam are from Anrebri kennels of the Czech Republic. In fact this litter was planned to whelp there. Both sire and dam are Velmi Dobry (Very good) in conformation and the litter is linebred on Doksy Bady-Ron ZVV3, SchH3, IPO3, FH1, ZPS1, Vyborny (Excellent/V) in conformation. Sire is Zambo Anrebri SchH3, IPO3, 0/0 hip and the dam is Inka Anrebri ZVV1, 0/0 hips. Dam is also a Tom z PS daughter and linebred on the great Czech police dog producer Cordon An-Sat. Both are excellent examples for the breed with high working qualities and great working conformation. I like kennels and breeding programs that select the best from multiple countries. I think these kennels will advance the breed the most in the the future. Take care, Robin

GSDLVR, I am purchasing a DDR & Czech female from one of the toughest Czech bloodlines still available...PS, and the dam (the Czech dog) is the best female I have ever seen, and the sire (out of Wildsau kennels) was equaly wonderful. In my opinion, these dogs have a HIGHER level, but it depends a lot on the parents. When I first went to the breeder's house, the dogs were out in the run and would've tore my head off, till he came out, and said "Its okay, these are friends." the dogs were letting me play with their mouths, and run my fingers through their tail hair, like they had known me since they were pups! Just for your information, incase anyone decides to slam these dogs...The bitch is a trained Personal Protection dog, SchH 1 and ZVV1. The dog is SchH 3 HIGH in Protection and Defence, so it goes to show you, a lot also depends on the parent's training...FYI, I breed Golden Retrievers, calmest, nicest, dogs...The dogs at my breeder's kennel were as nice as some of my SEVEN YEAR OLD Goldens, after they were told it was okay!!!!! If you want a DDR dog, don't be afraid, just watch the parents if possible, and study your bloodlines. Well, best of luck to you, if you are interested in the breeder I am buying my puppy from, let me know, I'll give you the link to their site, Krista blueskyekennels@msn.com

Robin - thanks - looks good, but I noticed that the litter is linebred 2-3 on Doksy Bady-Ron ZVV3 IPO3 SchH3 FH1 ZPS1...isn't that pretty close? Kinda makes me nervous....