GSDs, a multi functional breed? - Page 3

What did I say you didn't  like, Donna?

While I personally haven't been able to title a dog ( messed up life that got too demanding and took up all my time) I did take my Ambred AKC SL bitch and breed her to a V rated SV male who's lines were a combo of WG SL and a mother line that had many HGHs rather than schH titles. The litter was wonderful save one male that was weak nerved. One was herding with Ulf Kinzel and he really liked the youngster. 

IMO there is anything and everything a dog fancier could want in a dog in our breed. I think expecting each and every dog within the breed to be able to do everything is a bit unrealistic but no other breed, as a whole, has the versitality that our breed does. We have dogs from border patrol/LE dogs to herding dogs gentle with lambs, then to agility champions and even, as seen above, fly ball and those dock jumping dogs. We have it all and often the dog's limitations more so reside with the owner, as with me, rather than with the dogs themselves. 

Our breed still has and shall always maintain it's versitality. 

What can't a GSD do that other dogs can? Can't think of much - finish the Iditarod? What else?

I apologize for the ill placed photo and if my post was confusing. My dog which I am speaking of has these attributes and titles in her pedigree. She stems from dogs that work, not always in front of judges. Her dam is simply a beautiful herding dog on a cattle farm.  

Thank you all  for contributing to this topic, I am learning much from all your posts. On the topic of show dogs and conformation; how can someone say they love their dogs, but sacrifice stability and proper movement for fashion? The dogs suffer for their Ch. title. Years ago, I worked with racing greyhounds. There was no consideration for how a dog was built, or any genetic conditions that existed. If the dog had speed, he/she was bred. Money was the driving force.

Blitzen, what made you think that? Your posts are very insightful and I am enjoying them very much. Even the idea on the Iditarod! :)

It's wrong to assume all show dogs are cripples. How do you think my AKC CH earned her AD? Could a crippled dog have run 12 miles? What about my V rated UD?  Do you really believe that a crippled dog could earn a Sch 3 or a UD? What about VKGSD's dog that has many performance titles and is also a UKC CH? Nino v Tronje was the US Sieger just last week. A beautiful dog , Sch 3 titled. Ditto for many other GSD's shown at that show and many others. You are very much misinformed.

Because you disliked that post and I was wondering why.

It's fine to not like show lines, but don't dislike them for all the wrong reasons.

Hi Blitzen,

yeah long time, define an ugly dog....LOL

You know what I mean about standards, they vary, and that's the true problem.

Define an ugly GSD? That's difficult, Moons. Generally that would be a dog that I could not identify as a GSD at a distance - is that a Shepherd, a Mali or a mix? Actually I haven't seen too many GSD's I didn't like and when I think about it that was because of their personalities, not the way they looked. My first 2 GSD's were unsound and had trouble with the simplest exercises. One could barely make it through a tire jump. After that I thought I should pay more attention to conformation. That's worked out for me. Demanding good conformation isn't broken in my world,   so I'll not try to fix it. I want it all!!