Sad news from Germany - Page 2

My condolences to his owners, and those who were close to him, but I don't care what anyone says: eight is FAR too young to lose a German Shepherd to 'age-related' problems!

IF this is becoming the norm, the breed is losing its vitality due to FAR too much inbreeding!

The gal in my sig wasn't even THINKING of slowing down at age 8!

Here she is at age 13: "Come on you silly woman, put that camera away, and PLAY with me!"

I have to agree sunsilver,

8 is too young to be old.  

Lol sunsilver!!!Sweet girl.Kiss on her head and a good rub to her ears from me.What a smile she has on her face.Yes 8 is far too young.

Very sad news indeed and eight is to young wonder what was wrong .

Sorry to hear about that.  I agree 8 is too young.  My Princess passed in August at 7 years old, not even a month after I rehomed her because of the fighting that was going on at our house.  Not sure what happened.  They don't know either.  Not even sure if she would have passed at our house at the same time.  You just never know!

Our condolences....  What a great dog!!  My cody is eight and full of spunk!!  My heart goes out to you during your healing.

Shannan Perna

Noble German Shepherds  :)

ERASMUS WAS MY YOUNGSTERS GRANDFATHER AND I WAS JUST LOOKING YESTERDAY AT A PHOTO OF HIM, ADMIRING SUCH A FABULOUS DOG, AND I BELIEVE HE ALSO HAD AN OUTSTANDING NATURE, JUST LIKE HIS DITO.

POOR BOY...............................

I also have a 5 month old grandson from him and would be intersted in the age issue. My heart goes out  to the family of this beautiful sire.

Super sad at age 8 and a half!!!

Should have gone VA1 in Karlsruhe when I was there.  Big controversy.  Eric Oschler of von Batu had Erasmus up front for quite some time then had Hill and Larus von Batu pass him up end result he made Larus VA1 since Oschler didnt care as that was his last year of judging at age 70 and wanted to go out with a bang, no doubt.  Well, Larus didnt win deservingly as his progeny group was not sufficient.   The crowd was extremely aggitated by Oschlers move.      No wonder  Larus was sold so quickly (to Asia) after his two VA1's...  

Also, Erasmus' great grand sire, Hobby Gletschertopf died in Sweden at age 12 and a half.   Don't know if Ursus is still alive, because he is 13, but Yasko.  his sire, is still alive.   

So Erasmus' passing was not age related, is what I am trying to point out.   Nor was it inbreeding.  As you can see below.

• 5,4,5 - 5......................................... in V3 Cello von der Römerau
• 4 - 4............................................. in VA1 Zamb von der Wienerau
• 5 - 5............................................. in V Anett vom Noricum
• 5 - 5............................................. in VA10 Ica von der Wienerau
• 4 - 4.............................................

I lost my first shepherd to colon cancer at the age of 8 -- it had spread like wildfire before we even knew he had it, the surgeon who put him down during surgery (a desperate effort but we had to try) said it was a really virulent cancer.  My husband had several shepherds before I met him, starting in the mid 60s, and although he did have a dog with bad hips, he is mystified by all of the conditions to which shepherds seem prone these days.