Is a healthy bred to standard red and black shepherd as elusive as a unicorn? - Page 2

gsdstudent it is rather presumpious of you to assume I have NOT gone to trials, training clubs, dog shows and been in contact with breeders. I have participated in trials, training clubs, shows, and I have watched, learned and observed breeders in my area. Which led me to the original question in the first place.

No insult intended. You mentioned in your first post web sites and emails. I did not realize you were networking in person. So keep up your good work.

gsdstudent I have been a huge German Shepherd fan all my life along with being a GSD owner and it is precisely what I have seen and experienced with the breed in all aspects that has left me very concerned about the health and well being of the bred as a whole. Puppies are a product and many breeders look for that return on their efforts first and foremost. Often it is the flashy product that gets the attention much like the flashy sports car but if under the hood is compromised or if the standards have not been met then for the car owner or potential buyer it is a very questionable and likely unwise purchase. I am concerned about GSDs who do not meet the standards, I am concerned about breeders who don't weed out, look for, or even acknowledge genetic issues in the breed, and I am concerned that the viable lifespan of the breed has decreased tremendously. My question is valid and my quest continues hoping the healthy well bred GSD and bred to meet the standard is not extinct.

Lckw - you say that you have been involved with the breed for a long time, but what kind of involvement and what types of GSD's? If you've been around a lot then you must know there is a distinct difference between AKC/CKC, WGWL, WGSL - types. Yet unless I have misread you have not mentioned the type of GSD you have been involved with. Trials, training clubs and shows can mean many different types. More info would be helpful.

so , is your post a question or an opinion? If it is your opinion I opologize for posting. If it is a question go visit more kennels and trainers.

Koots I have had GSD all my life I have been involved in all the sports and shows and understand the differences in the types. But regardless of the Amercian Showline, German Showline, European lines or working lines the GSD standard remains the same. And regardless of the lines and difference with the shows whether AKC or SV, there should be an attempt by breeders to breed genetically healthy dogs and breed them so they closely match the GSD standard. So it should not matter what 'type' of GSD one is referring to. All should be a refection of the standard and breed and all should be bred to be healthy genetically.

gsdstudent my post is both a question and opinion. It is an opinion based on visiting an over abundance in number of kennels and trainers and it is a question because all that visiting has left me wondering is a healthy bred to standard red and black shepherd as elusive as a unicorn.

I think when you put an opinion out as a question you are just starting poop. I am done with your post

Where are you located? I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction.

Obviously, as you have discovered, not all breeders are adhering to the SV standard in type/temperament. Therefore, it would follow that those breeders also are not as concerned with health & longevity as they should be. I have already pointed out one breeder who, in my experience and knowledge, both breeds (black/red WGSL GSD) to the SV standard and for health/longevity. Tracy Bullinger is the only breeder that I know personally who does this. I am sure there are others but I do not know them or have trained with them in person. I do not think the healthy, long-lived, black/red WGSL bred-to-standard GSD is a unicorn.

i have an old dog going to be 13 soon , but sadly i never bred her much, i would think most breeders try to breed to the standard, and for health, there is no way to know how a pup will turn out, but i do understand about guarantees, what test are you looking for outside of hips/elbows? i think we all know good black/red breeders.