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by Preston on 05 December 2012 - 05:12
Yes, SitasMom, very good point. There are some breeders that carefully vet all their dogs and puppies. Often they end up with superb working temperament and just good physical conformation (but not winning or excellent conformation), not extreme movers or having extreme curbside appeal, what I would call the golden middle or good looking GSDs, but GSDs that will not win in the SV showring often.
My point is that there is often a price to pay for establishing correct working temperament, good health and robustness in one's lines. To me the most frustrating aspect of breeding is that even if a sire and dam are healthy and clean of defects, recessive traits can still be passed and activated in some of their puppies which decrease health and in some cases are very serious. This is why repeat breeding from proven clicks are valuable.
Numerous good looking GSDs with proper working temperament have died suddenly in mid life from genetically based aortic arch stenosis which is very difficult to DX in puppies and young dogs. Only a very experienced vet or an EKG will identify these. Use of an amplified stethoscope can be helpful. There is far too much EPI, mega-esophagus, and hip and elbow dysplasia in the breed IMO. And elbows cannot be suitably DX'd until 9-12 months old, sometimes a bit later which is problematic. Abnormal elbows or even mild DJD should probably not be bred at all IMO due to the much higher apparent heritability of these issues which include patchiness, pre-arthritic changes and un-united anconeal process.
Proper vetting of a puppy stateside typically costs between $550-$950 depending on what tests are done. This is expensive, but over the life of an acquired GSD can seem reasonable if it prevents buying a GSD with chronic health problems that are expensive to treat and heartbreaking.
Conclusion: when someone ends up with a healthy good looking GSD with great working temperament, one should celebrate that and feel exceedingly fortunate. Temperament and health must always be primary over any other considerations IMO.
My point is that there is often a price to pay for establishing correct working temperament, good health and robustness in one's lines. To me the most frustrating aspect of breeding is that even if a sire and dam are healthy and clean of defects, recessive traits can still be passed and activated in some of their puppies which decrease health and in some cases are very serious. This is why repeat breeding from proven clicks are valuable.
Numerous good looking GSDs with proper working temperament have died suddenly in mid life from genetically based aortic arch stenosis which is very difficult to DX in puppies and young dogs. Only a very experienced vet or an EKG will identify these. Use of an amplified stethoscope can be helpful. There is far too much EPI, mega-esophagus, and hip and elbow dysplasia in the breed IMO. And elbows cannot be suitably DX'd until 9-12 months old, sometimes a bit later which is problematic. Abnormal elbows or even mild DJD should probably not be bred at all IMO due to the much higher apparent heritability of these issues which include patchiness, pre-arthritic changes and un-united anconeal process.
Proper vetting of a puppy stateside typically costs between $550-$950 depending on what tests are done. This is expensive, but over the life of an acquired GSD can seem reasonable if it prevents buying a GSD with chronic health problems that are expensive to treat and heartbreaking.
Conclusion: when someone ends up with a healthy good looking GSD with great working temperament, one should celebrate that and feel exceedingly fortunate. Temperament and health must always be primary over any other considerations IMO.
by Hundmutter on 05 December 2012 - 09:12
And another. Preston you are on hot form at the moment. !!!
by Blitzen on 05 December 2012 - 13:12
Welcome back, Preston.
by Preston on 06 December 2012 - 07:12
Sad part is almost everything I have learned about GSDs in the last 40+ years has been learned the hard way by making mistakes. When I got started folks were not even X-raying hips or elbows. There was little help and little information available. Oli's site and all the access to great information on the world wide web has certainly created a good situation for those that want to learn from others mistakes (because truthfully that is what it all comes down to).
A good friend of mine just recently bought part ownership is a top WL import female and has a litter of puppies from similar breeding. He was into showing AKC American Shepherds until he spent time around some very great WL GSDs. He was so impressed with their temperament, vitality and agility, that he is now into WL imports. Their conformation is not ideal, but he says their temperament is so impressive that he doesn't care if they can't win in the show ring. The older I have gotten the more important i value temperament and health before anything else.
A good friend of mine just recently bought part ownership is a top WL import female and has a litter of puppies from similar breeding. He was into showing AKC American Shepherds until he spent time around some very great WL GSDs. He was so impressed with their temperament, vitality and agility, that he is now into WL imports. Their conformation is not ideal, but he says their temperament is so impressive that he doesn't care if they can't win in the show ring. The older I have gotten the more important i value temperament and health before anything else.
by aaykay on 07 December 2012 - 14:12
The older I have gotten the more important i value temperament and health before anything else
Very wise words....Temperament and health ! IMO, way more important that external beauty, as long as the overall structure is fully functional.
I personally find the WL structures to be ideal and not a big fan of showline structures.
Very wise words....Temperament and health ! IMO, way more important that external beauty, as long as the overall structure is fully functional.
I personally find the WL structures to be ideal and not a big fan of showline structures.
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