Speaking of DDR dogs.. - Page 1

I know all dogs are individuals, and have their own personality but I'm curious about things I have heard about DDR dogs. Especially in light of what DR posted about the general dilution of the DDR lines because of the unification I have these questions:

I have heard that they are a harder dog. Is this mostly in reference to their ability to rebound or is this more a matter of being less sensitive to the handlers wishes?

Are they more aloof, even to their owners? I have read that they are not as outwardly affectionate, is this just an impression with no fact or just a trait of this line?

If you have a not drivey DDR dog (do these exist?) are they more difficult to manage in a family environment than non DDR?

Overall, is it your your impression that these dogs are more physically active?

Is it generally true that a DDR dog would not be a good choice for a first time owner or is it a matter of matching?

I guess my whole reason for this post is to get to the bottom of the mystique of the DDR dog and have an understanding of the actual nature of these dogs.

Thanks in advance,

Dawgs

Disclaimer-these questions are not a commentary on any dog, lines, breeders, 

owners or posters; real or imagined.

Well, my first GSD that I currently own, he is about one and a half years old and unaltered. His mom is DDR, and his father heavy working lines. I have never owned a GSD before him, but I had owned cattle dogs which gave me a insight to drive. I was told he would have high drive, and he sure does! He is extramly affectionate, craves attention, and has no problems with guest.. Although...he is always aware of people and his surroundings and extreamly intuative.  He is always alert, and has extream prey drive (yes, mentioned again) which leaves me on my toes all the time!!! I have to pay attention to him all the time!!!

As far as a good choice for a 1st time owner, well I have put in VERY long hours, hard work and commitment into this dog. If I hadnt, I would be LOST! I found a great facility that I trian with sometimes even three times a week. We started obediance at 5 months and stuck with it, a strong foundation with these dogs is so imoportant, along with TONS of socializing and teaching them patiance. These dogs are thinkers, and they are amazing if you show them how to use their smarts.

As far as my dog being hard, sometimes he gets bull headed, but I know how to work him to avoid situations.  And physically active? Never ending!  They need lots of  interaction and  excercise,  he wares me out  when I'm trying to wear him out. He is a toy nut, sometimes also dog aggresive, so again, I have to be on my toes all the time.

You are right, every dog has its own personality, and by far am I no pro, it just depends how dedicated you are going to be and think about truley WHY  you want a DDR. Will it be just a pet, or do you plan to give it a job? Good luck! Hope this helped.

PS this site is the best place to learn, they have taught me amazing things. And no question is stupid, so keep asking! And do it right with a GSD the first time.

I have two GSD's from pure DDR lines as well as  two from German show lines. My two DDR's are just as affectionate if not more so then my W.German's.  Both of  the DDR's seem a little harder and definately are more active with a higher prey drive. 

                                                                                                                                   Koto

My 10 month old 50% DDR, 50% Czech bitch is very aloof. She shows no respect to anyone besides myself. She can be very affectionate, when its on her terms. She has off the wall play and prey drive. She is very thick boned, but extremly fast and athletic. She is very handler sensitive, but learns from the corrections I give her. She is loyal beyond words to me, as I have never seen before in a dog. I quite love this combination, and hope to get another like her someday.

Having owned WGR working, DDR, WGR show, Czech/Slovak, American and a mixture of all of them, I offer the following:

In GENERAL,  DDR dogs are not as high-drive as WGR working, but drivier than WGR showlines.  They are GENERALLY more handler-sensitive, wih more defense and less prey-play thah their WGR counterparts.  DDR dogs usually blend into the family well, not as hihg-maintenance time-wise as a very high-drive dog.

That being said, these are strictly generalizations, as I have had, and DO have some very drivey dogs from pure DDR lines, but then I have worked hard to find the lines going back to the DDR dogs that competed in the LGA and BSP (fairly rare for DDR dogs).  I'm finding these pups to be drivier in general than the pups from some of my other bloodlines, past and present.

www.altostland.com

Thanks for the information. If anyone else would care to add to it, please do. I am not looking to get a DDR dog. I just don't like the fact that I don't know much about them and wanted information. 

Regards,

Dawgs

I personally have a 50% DDR/50% West working and he has perfect drives in all phases of schutzhund. He also can be a bit bull headed as well. He is very friendly and has the natural on/off switch. I also have 3 pups that are 87.5% DDR and  West, and 2 of them are very high in energy, but can be aloof to strangers at times. I think it just depends on how their approached(My pups in particular). I also have a pure DDR female that is almost 5 months old, and is drivey when it comes to food and prey. My personal pick which I like is the East German DDR lines. You also have to realize that some of these DDR lines do need up to 36 months to mature(not all of them but some of them). Putting that into consideration, you have to be patient for them to mature, and once you accomplish that goal you will absolutely love what you get in the end result. I do want to mention that I have had American(not full)and West show(not full)that didn't have any drive and just wanted to be loved on. Nothing wrong with that, it just depends on what your looking for, and willing to work with.