Line Breeding how far effective? - Page 2

Blitzen, thanks so much for the references. Julia

"Are there any Am bred dogs used that often?" I hope not! LOL Sorry Blitzen :)

Shame on you, Makosh. Actually I have to agree and don't think any dog should produce that many puppies in the US, not sure how they handle their excess pet population in German. Too many GSD's in this county end up in rescue, even well bred ones. A few years back a local rescue had a bitch with a CDX looking for a home, beautiful dog. I've seen photos of others that are very definitely German and Czech lines and some looked very well bred. I guess people get rid of dogs for any old reason. BTW, my dog is 100% German showlines. I don't descriminate LOL.

That is too sad. I don't understand what is in people's heads when they get rid of a dog! The most loving and trusting animal! Interestingly enough, while being in Germany for a week and sightseeing everyday, I saw many, many dogs in the streets, but NONE of them were German Shepherds! Pardon, I saw one, white in color. Most of the dogs I saw were mutts! (Very fat ones too :) It was so cute though to see a doggy water dish standing near the entrances of many little shops in towns and cities – so that a dog walking by could have a drink! PS: what is it CDX?

Makosh, the thread has changed but I feel I must write something to answer your question. I have GSD bitch that came out of a rescue in Germany that I trained to her BH and her CD (Companion Dog)and has gotten her first leg for her CDX (Companion Dog Excellent). Go to an AKC obedience show and then you will know what these dogs should do. Find out what a UD (Utility Dog) and UDX (Utility Dog Excellent) has to accomplish. As far as Germany is concerned, animal rights are written in the constitution and the shelters are "no kill". Dogs are regularly brought in from Turkey, Spain, Greece, Italy, Romania and put up for adoption in Germany. The many muts you see are rescued animals. German rescue shelters are located throughout Europe. And they bring the animals to Germany in the hopes of finding a home for the dogs and saving their lives. Blitzen, as the tax in Germany on dogs is high and you pay a certain percentage extra for each additional dog, indescriminate breeding is disparaged. For example, I pay for one dog Euro 200 but add another and it costs me Euro 500 each year for both. Yes, each year!!! I pay $5.00 / year per dog here in the US. For my second dog, I pay another $5.00/year. A total of $10.00. Quite a difference, right? In many ways, Germany is very far ahead of the USA in respect of animal rights and the protection of an animal's dignity. Puppy mills would have no chance in Germany. How many pets are put down in shelters each year in the USA? The statistic would probably have us all decide to neuter and spay our pets. With a small tear, Sunshine

Thank you, Sunshine for your reply. Well, yet another thing to learn from Germany… As far as dogs being put down in shelters – spaying our pets, or ALL the dogs in the entire country will never solve the problem! There are that many dogs in shelters not because there are too many dogs born, but because there are too many sick people who will give away their pet as soon as it becomes inconvenient! Do you see what I mean? If there were too many dogs born, no one would buy them, and all the puppy mills would have to go out of business. But the problem is that people want dogs, and then suddenly they don’t! The problem is in people’s heads, and not in the number of dogs born.

I just wished we had some kind of National Legislature here that made people be responsible, or at least prove that they would care for the animal. Training is one of the largest contributors of people giving their pets up. They dont have it trained,or will not,and most dont realize this is the main issue with Animal compounds here. I saw it too often when working in ACO, as a Vet Tech, and Rescue Agencies. Sad but true fact is we need more control here from our own municipal authorities, and yes there are too many pets born that are unwanted and never know what a home is with humans, sad but true! Till you work on the other end of the spectrum you honestly dont know whats going on. God Bless Rescue Societies though! Jerry

ZVZW, I agree with you. I consider the training and the socialization of my dogs, to be their life insurance. If something should ever happen to me. . . they simply will be a joy to their new caretakers and not a burden. Unfortunately, our society consumes pets like they do chips. If it doesn't work, it gets tossed. And breeders who do not breed for soundness and good temperament are aiding this horrible situation that animal welfare people face. Another terrible problem, are the pet stores that are an outlet for the puppy mills in distributing live pups and kittens. You go into a store and in the mood of the moment you walk out with your new commodity. Some of the new owners have never owned a dog or kitten. They are sold lots of equipment, bedding and food. A great business at the cost of another life. It is a crying shame. The problem seems so unsurmountable, but every heart won in the battle to bring about a change, could mean the difference between life and death. Education, Education, Education of the public. The only way to make some kind of inroad. It has been just as rewarding for me to make a companion of my sweet tempered rescue as it has been to raise my show prospect. Perhaps even more so. . . Sunshine