GSDs, a multi functional breed? - Page 4

Hell I still have people ask me what kind of dog my Black GSD is, they've never seen one I guess.

Doesn't help that I've let her get a little fatter than she should be, but hell I'm getting old and none of us are as active these days as we should be.

I could stand to lose a few myself.

" I would love to own a line that possessed a genetic ability to perform in any area. But unfortunately, crossing between camps to obtain the genetic contribution of the best possible dogs is taboo. "

There is no perfect dog, but there are a lot of dogs out there that are able to perform in trials/real work  AND that are able to perform in shows.
It´s our fault that we are looking for the "winner" instead of looking for the well rounded dog.

"Crossing between camps" is NO taboo for a lot of people, but honestly, you don´t even need to "cross the "lines", there are a lot of dogs out there able to work AND fitting into the standard ( I´m talking about BOTH camps...)

Just stop looking at the winners, start looking at the runner ups... and meanwhile start training your own dog, because without knowledge about "real" training and "real" conformation you will not know where to look at all.

Only a sidenote: "A genetic ability to perform in ANY area" simply is impossible - a guard dog for the blind is not allowed to have a lot of defense - a total no- go...
Same problems in different areas of sport and work.

I´m a firm believer that you are able to find almost any kind of character in a litter bred out of well balanced dogs, no real reason to breed for "specialists".

"specialists"

I like that, it pretty well sums up where we are today, it's common place and has created this (line) thinking among breeders and competitors.

If you want the correct GSD then you must adhere to the original standards of the breed.

Apperance is the least important factor, structure is a whole other concept and must conform to the (original) functional standard.

And how can you perfect a herding breed without herding, this part has always amazed me.

We travel away from the center instead of trying to reach it, it is not the gait, nor the bite that defines a GSD.

Instead of correct GSD's what we have are multi-functional specialists that are anything but multi-functional.

And we did it on purpose.

In my opinion it is a rare thing to find a correct GSD today and crossing lines is not the answer.

Individual selection is the key, reguardless of where you go to find it.

A breed either conforms to it's standard or it does not.

YES, SUSIE,   you explained it perfectly..I stand by my post in another thread:

Well balanced, well rounded  and able to attain the TOTO... copied

" Reinhard Lindner:

When you trained or were simply in the presence of Reinhard, you felt better for being there. He was the consummate dog trainer, friend, Schutzhund Judge and teacher.

As a trainer for the German Customs he taught many of Germany's best trainers how to make dogs do the unimaginable. He had a touch with dogs that is still talked about today.

HARD DOGS - Germany's toughest - were his "specialty". He had a way to get the job done with the strongest dogs in Germany...and then he would breed to them to his females. The pride he showed in his breeding program (vom Höllbachgrund Kennel) was unique. He bred incredibly strong dogs that were very seldom able to trained to a high level. But, Reinhard and his friends KNEW that he bred the strongest dogs in Germany - scores be-damned."

  Too many people today put that podium and score ability first , but like susie stated, maybe we ought to be looking at second and on down .

YR

Oops. Hit wrong button.

"Too many people today put that podium and score ability first , but like susie stated, maybe we ought to be looking at second and on down ."

I agree with this TR for various reasons in all lines. I do notice often that it is the breeder that has not sat and studied pedigrees and dogs that just makes the "easy" decision to go with the popular stud or top rated dog or Grand Victor. It takes many years to learn about individual dogs, their pedigrees and their breeders to have a clear view to develop an eye and go with a dog or bitch that you see value in that many may not. I like breeders that do this, that cause you to question "why him?" That easy and/or popular choice doesn't just have an effect on your own lines or your own little world but goes on to effect many other dogs in the future and the popular sire issue has been an issue for a long time. Me? I am not terribly experienced as a breeder, I did not get to go where I wanted to and explore what my line would have become but I read a lot, I paid attention and I like a good dog no matter where it comes from. I do know mostly AKC Sls though as that is where I started, trying to expland my German line knowledge now.

For me, a GSD that is competitive in the show ring will probably also be a dog that is structurally sound. I prefer both in my own dogs. One is not exclusive of the other in my world.

Tending would be the ultimate test of a GSD IMO, but there is no longer an opportunity to test a GSD in the same way it was tested back in the day. An HGH title is as close as we can get today. Still it's not the same challenge. We play the hand we are dealt.

Again I ask the question - what can't a GSD do that other dogs can? Or should I ask what can't other dogs do that GSD's can? Maybe we miss the boat with our dogs by buttonholing them into one or 2 venues. When I see a GSD with titles on both ends I don't necessarily think it's the best thing since sliced bread, but I do respect what it took for that dog to get that far, I take a second look and will generally find a dedicated breeder/owner/trainer/handler. Dogs like that aren't born in the cabbage patch. I don't expect a single GSD to excel in every venue, but I don't think it's asking too much to expect a GSD to at least put forth the effort to please their master no matter what is asked of them. My first 2 GSD's couldn't have cared less what I wanted; one was a great pet, the other a great PIA. The first bred by a well known showline breeder who was more concerned about ribbons than performance in any venue. My last 2 have had the will to serve, will try to do anything I ask of them, are related (great grandam and great grand daughter) and from the same breeder. May not be good enough to title in every venue, but at least they try. That's all I've ever asked of any dog. 

Blitzen: Your dogs may be structured correctly and yours may have the desire working traits and titles and show proudly but I have seen for the last 19 years FAR TOO MANY in V positions and SG and watched tons of dogs that are roached and walk on hocks and have bad pigmentations walk away with big trophies and BIG TITLES>>\\

YOU and many others are not the aim of that statement I make ..

With every statement comes discernment.\

YR

That's sad, Jan, and doesn't speak well of the quality of the judging. The good ones are out there, they're not generally among the top winners.

Well, said Blitzen and we older gals know that..

Yr