"Improving The Breed" -An Opinion - Page 1

“Improving the breed”. I see this group of words associated with many posts. If a female is minimally titled are you “improving the breed”? You should not be breeding if you are not breeding to “improve the breed”. Charges against others that breed, abound, that they are not “improving the breed”, because of their disclosed breeding practices or ideas, by the self anointed Pedigree Database policia. There are many other instances of throwing around this term, so no need of putting down more, I think my point is made. “Improving the breed” is relative in my opinion. While it is thrown around here as a cliché, or to besmirch others, and possibly, make one’s self appear to have more of an insight into and grasp of secret knowledge of our beloved GSD, than the next guy, what does these words grouped together to form an idea, actually mean(to the GSD, the breeding community and to the GSD owner)? This term means to me, eradication of Hip Dysplasia, elimination of the long coat phenomenon, returning to the medium size, elimination of soft ears and pancreatic enzyme deficiency, ect.,(How many people do you know breeding, that are accomplishing these “improvements”?) By the way, is my interpretation pratical? Is my interpretation reasonable, with the current available gene pool? This term may mean something else, to someone else. What was the vision of Max Von Stephanitz, regarding “improving the breed”? Because of the diversity of ideas of so many involved with the GSD, who decides what is “improving the breed” and what breeders are in compliance with “improving the breed”? Right now this is SO vauge, that in my opinion, the term(used so loosely) looses a lot of it’s value and gravity. I am biased and think that the critera should emanate from the SV. Just my opinion. But until that comes to pass, all the “reputable breeders”(big name kennels, at home and abroad) continue to breed with all of the afore mention problems replicating themselves and they are lauded as great breeders(the more dogs bred, the more the problems are put out in the community). I do not besmirch these breeders, this is just an observation, on my part. While much smaller(hobby breeders like myself) kennels that just love the breed, yet breeds to the SAME established standard of the SV are questioned repeatedly, are you breeding to “improve the breed”? P-L-E-A-S-E! That duplicity has become staggering and boring, all at the same time. What about breeding to prevent extinction of the breed? To ensure that this magnificent animal is always around. Is this acceptable? What about the GSD’s popularity? Many families want that new addition to be a GSD. That requires more(quantity) dogs. If the STANDARD is being met to produce that demand, is that acceptable? The standard for the GSD is provided to all, it is not a secret that only a few prima donnas have access to. If “responsible breeders(another frequently used term)”, breed to that published S-T-A-N-D-A-R-D and are not breeding to “improve the breed” as determined by the policia, should they be then be prevented from breeding until they come up with a legitimate pronouncement of “improvement” that will be accepted by the policia? I do think that breeders just starting off should be mentored by more experienced breeders, because there is so much more to breeding than just wiring tens of thousands of dollars via Western Union, across the ocean and bringing dogs home and letting them have puppies. I am truly grateful for my mentors for sure. This is just an idea, not a recommended requirement. To say that should be mandatory would be no different, than the policia here pointing fingers and saying, are you breeding to, “improve the breed”? This term, “improving the breed” thrown around so capriciously these days was used just one more time, that I could resist not responding to it. Sorry. Stephen

You said it all, and well. Only thing I take issue with 'elimination of the long coat phenomenon', I had one and loved her. "returning to the medium size" I understand the size and working. But I have an issue with the evolution and good food. I am having a hard time coming to terms with this. My Daughter is looking into SAR work, and from what I understand she will have to carry her dog, I better come to terms with this and fast......

Stephen has it right.

Stephen, Many a disaster has been the result of "improvements". To me a breeders success is best measured in terms of the percentage of their pups that are free of health problems, and are good citizens who find a permanent home to mutual satisfaction. I believe that the best way to produce a high percentage of such pups is to adhere to stringent selection criteria such as ZW, structure/breed ring performance, working/sport performance, as well as objective personal assessment of each animal. I am not so arrogant as to suppose that my own small contribution constitutes a measurable "improvement" to the breed, but I do hold myself to a high standard as I consider breeding to be a considerable priveledge that comes with definite responsibility to the dogs produced. Best Wishes, Jonah

There are good arguments that can be made on all sides, no matter how you view "improving the breed". We all have different ideas about the breed and how it should progress. I have stated my feelings previously on other postings and will re-state them here again. I believe that the breed is exactly as it should be. Of course there are failings in the health that we should attempt to lessen, and of course there are failings in temperment and such, that we should strive to eliminate, but all in all, the breed is darn near perfect for "our" purposes. If you want a family protector, there is nothing better around. If you want a working dog, still nothing better around. If you want a dog that has the classic looks of Rin Tin Tin or Bullet, you've got it. What dog looks better than a nice looking German Shepherd Dog. I know that many think only the working ability counts as long as the dog "looks" like a GSD, and I can not argue with their "idea" of what is desired. It is what they desire. Maybe not what I desire, but hey, I am not King of the World (at least not yet) and neither are they. Boils down to what I have previous posted on other threads about this subject. CONSISTENCY is the key, IMO. When you can take just about any pup from any GSD litter and get a courageous, loyal, healthy, capable family companion and protector and sometimes train some of these dogs to accomplish a "job", then we will have something better than we have now. We already have the best companion possible, we just do not have the consistency. The best dogs are, well, the best dogs. Who would ask for more than them. We just need to work towards increasing the percentages of the "best dogs", by breeding for consistency. Not for super dogs that can fight off three attackers at once, or who will die for their owner. Just give me a dog that can hold his own against one attacker and is willing to "get into the fray with me" and I am completely satisfied. When you can pick any GSD pup from any registered litter and have a 90% chance of it being healthy, sound and willing, then we will be at the top.

The elimination of health issues should be our biggest priority.

And the best way of doing that is to be selective to your male or female.To do your homework in the search for a healthy proven mate for your upcoming litter. I search for new mates from well known kennel owners here or abroad.I am somewhat lucky I drive or fly to see the stud and owners,looking through the facility also see the offsprings picture gallery and there comments.As it has been said the health and proof of it from who ever you select to be the mate to your female or male has to be more importen then the goal of anything else.

Stephen, Very good posts and observations. At the end of the day the quality of the dogs are what counts, and the ability to continue to produce them regardless of the forum.

Everybody has a different opinion of improving the breed. Which is ok because we live in a free country, well most of us thought. I think IMO that the last thing that anybody should be concern of is the elimination of the longcoats. Longcoats can work as hard as the standard coats. The only issue that they have is that they cant be shown. Should longcoats be bred? Sure why not? Whats the reason why they cant? because they cant be showed? What about the dog, Kalle vom Welzbachtal who has an incredible working record? I think we should focus on health improvements before trying to improve anything else.

i have a long coat, from 2 standard coat parents w/wonderful lineage. his health is good, his hips are good and his temperment is fabulous. when he is older i will have him neutered because i am not a breeder of any kind (pro or amateur), not because of his coat. i've met other long coat gsds who have been really really good dogs. health is the first and foremost issue for breeding and then temperment. anything else is just personal preference or prejudice. i enjoy other breeds, but i have a preference/prejudice for gsds, they have it all and more.