GSDs - Who rode the saddle off 'em? - Page 2

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/512130.html

Dark black pigment - could have a larger mask. Working/show cross with sable in her lineage. Excellent working dog that was used in the Slovak Prison Systems as well as getting an SVV2.

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Ang

First one...Horand von Grafrath...not much of a saddle.

"Horand embodied for the enthusiasts of that time the fulfillment of their fondest dreams.  He was big for that period, between 24" and 24 1/2", even for the present day a good medium size, with powerful frame, beautiful lines, and a nobly formed head.  Clean and sinewy in build, the entire dog was one live wire.  His character was on a par with his exterior qualities; marvelous in his obedient fidelity to his master, and above all else, the straightforward nature of a gentleman with a boundless zest for living.  Although untrained in puppy hood, nevertheless obedient to the slightest nod when at this master's side; but when left to himself, the maddest rascal, the wildest ruffian and incorrigible provoker of strife.  Never idle, always on the go; well disposed to harmless people, but no cringer, mad about children and always in love.  What could not have been the accomplishments of such a dog if we, at that time, had only had military or police service training?  His faults were the failings of his upbringing, never of his stock.  He suffered from a superfluity of unemployed energy, for he was in Heaven when someone was occupied with him and was then the most tractable of dog."

~Captain von Stephanitz
Originator of the breed

"He wanted the GSD bred for intelligence and physical soundness suited for its work.  An excerpt from his written standard reads: "A pleasing appearance is desirable, but it can NOT put the dog's working ability into question."  Von Stephanitz obviously was more interested in the brain, not the beauty of the breed."

As we should be.

Perfect harddawg. So many seem to forget that or have twisted those words to fit todays dog.

Like jletcher18 quoted - "no washed out or weak colors".

harddawg - As far as the von Stephanitz quote - SHEESH! Yeah, I think we can ALL quote that one in our sleep by now!  What is your point? ALL the originators of the different breeds out there started out with something and wanted to better it. I don't think using a Nazi to prove your point would be a good example considering they just wanted to exterminate people for not having the correct German look. I guess he had more mercy for his dog creation.

Did I crack on the working sables that probably 4pack and harddawg adore? NO Did I say I hated bi-colors? NO As a matter of fact, I think they are all beautiful.  My point is if you are a breeder and you are breeding GSDs that are bred to have a saddle and you are selling to people that like and want that look, why can't they breed dogs that are great in temperament and structure without leaving off the color and why are you buying dogs with crappy pigment? 

Bottom line - I bought my GSDs and wanted them to have a black saddle - their parents did - and they do. So many people get disappointed because they buy a dark pup and are told it will look a certain way and at 2 yrs old it's washed out. If I want a dark sable, I am buying DDR....if I want a light sable, I am probably buying West German working, etc, etc, etc.  They are all GSDs and they are going to be GSDs in character. If color doesn't matter why don't we wear the same color every day and have a car and house the same color, too? Come on, you know everybody has their own preference - give me a break. You're gonna slaughter me because I say if you're a breeder and you're saying it's gonna have a black saddle and at 2yrs old >TA DAH!<  you've bred an orange dog and I say you should've been more discriminating with your sire and dam colors? That's ridiculous.

I mean, I know that working GSD owners are always wanting to pick a fight about HARDCORE character, nerves etc etc, but this wasn't about that. It was about color. They too are sitting in their homes with 3 dogs on the floor going "Yeah, #1's my favorite - he's the man, but I love #2's color better and #3 is hideous, but man can he work!" And if you are buying something and wanting something, why can't you expect to get what you want in color ALONG WITH the character and abilities you desire? If you're a Ford man and bought a new doolie and they brought it exactly as you requested in the engine, but when you stepped outside and it was a lovely shade of lavendar, would you drive it?

GSDLVR, Captain von Stephanitz was a Nazi??? Come on now. You sure you're up on your history?

When Hitler rose to power, von Stephanitz had been perfecting the shepherd for over forty years. At a time when he should have waxed poetic, von Stephanitz life’s work came under the scrutiny of Hitler. The Captain considered the Nazis beneath his station in life but the times were against him. In her book, the German Shepherd Today, noted authority,Winifred Strickland tells us, “there were many SV members who were Nazis and they tried to meddle in the affairs of the SV. They persistently used vile means to cut von Stephanitz off from his life’s work and when he resisted they threatened him with a concentration camp.  He gave up, after having managed his SV for thirty-six years.”   Stephanitz died one year after stepping down from the SV.

LOL I definitely DON"T love sables. However I am a fan of "working" dogs.