They are all the same breed - Page 15

LOL Gustav, I'm not highly "knowledgeable" - just lucky if I remember things from studying 20 years ago!  (Dogs must be something like cars - if it's ancient, they're all famous; if it's just recently but no longer relevent - it's passe; if it's new, it's hot!  In the '80s, the '70s dogs, unless "true greats", were passe squat I suppose - a nowhere land of info on them.)

Actually my name is in honor of the Revolution, not the CW - although I'm more southern than yankee (MD used to be a Southern state, you know).  But I don't think MD was south enough anyway to be aware of him if he was a local hottie!

Deeswolf, Thank you for your story of the old german man and his memories of a "true" GSD. I have read many comments on this site and there appear to be differing agendas based on the individual's experience, preference, exposure, and bias. I will state without apology that my bias if for huge long haired GSD's that have what I call "farm" backs. That is straight to mildly slanted. Why to so many "purists" rant against the larger GSD's on?this and other sites? Humans are bigger now than twenty or thirty years ago why not dog breeds? I have seen so many expensive american AND german line dogs that I wouldn't give twenty dollars to have. And they are adorned with show and/or working titles. WHY? I don't believe in sloped, skinny dogs - period. I've seen herding dogs in West Germany with huge, thick necks, big rear ends, massive heads, and a look that says "Don't even think it!" I am not impressed by ads that say german lines. Why? Because Germany protects their best lines like the U.S. protects military secrets. I saw a report recently about a rift between East and West Germany over the breeding policies practiced by the two regions. The head of breeding for West Germany said the East German dogs were inferior because they were rejects sent from West Germany. The head of the breeding program in West Germany said that all the East Germans wanted was dogs that would bite. He went on to say that the best of the breed in West Germany was reserved for dog lovers in that country. So when I hear or see german lines my antennae go up quick. I also am unsure about the Schutzhund training. I have seen many dogs grab a sleeve and run off deleriously without any thought of the attacker. Mine have always been trained with live attackers (or decoys) who try to hit ME not the dogs. This has a very strong effect on the dogs and they in turn go for any part of the attackers body that is exposed, not a sleeve. After all, I've never encountered anyone who intended me harm with a sleeve on his arm. And because I am usually in public with my dogs the training I received focused on leash control and working the dogs as a team in case I should encounter two or more attackers. The group that trained me does protection work for Bowling Air Force Base and they do bomb sniffing as well. My dogs' brothers work in Iraq detecting bombs and their cousins did drug detection in Panama. But to me these animals are first and foremost PETS not herders, not bomb sniffers, not drug detectors, not attack dogs, or anything else. I do the training in obedience, protection, and agility because it stimulates them and strengthens the bond between them and myself. Now I'm not an expert, just a guy who had three GSD's that never hesitated to give love, attention, or protection. That's what we "Joe Publics" want. Why is it that so few of you breeders can deliver? MaxVonPotterdam

"I also am unsure about the Schutzhund training." - MaxVonPotterdam Schutzhund is basically a standardized breed evaluation test developed specifically for the German Shepherd Dog. Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dog's intelligence and utility. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog's mental stability, endurance, structural efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage, and trainability. The breeding stock for real working dogs is Schutzhund dogs. Without Schutzhund, the working ability of GSDs and other working breeds would quickly deteriorate and it would be difficult to find suitable dogs for real work. Schutzhund trialing basically results in developing the gene pool for the next generation of working dogs. So basically it's a standardized breed evaluation test not real world training. Nobody in Shutzhund will tell you that a Schutzhund titled dog is ready to hit the streets on that training alone.