Just Noticed This - Page 2

<<>>> You probably had him go down an elevator too fast

Not sure if anyone else really noticed, or perhaps it is my old eyes, but the it appears to me that the dog has had very flat/"hare feet" right from arrival. Also, the "break" in the ear at the base has been present from the arrival of the dog. I agree with most, this is why we all say puppies are a "crap shoot". I hope the pup ends up in a home where his owners think he is a "VA" dog...and feel bad for the purchasers for losing out on a prospect.

Um, maybe I'm wrong - but doesn't A4 only mean that the dog is SV registered but the Xrays were done outside Germany and could be any rating - A1 to A3? -Calvin

GSDfan, Just came back online. I went on the owner of Fez's website (should have before I opened my big mouth) and saw the photos you're referring to. Yes, I agree the ears are having some trouble and yes, I would have taped them. I doubt we'll (you and I) will ever be privy to whether or not this was attempted..--we're in the proverbial doghouse. Personally, I would have taped them. He's too beautiful a dog not to have those ears up. Kaykohl Land, Yes, it was completely thoughtless of me to make that crack about a4 after commenting he was on ice. What I was thinking at the time was "anything can happen to make a puppy hurt itself"---didn't mean to infer that you were responsible---but do see how it could be taken that way. That is the only remark you should take exception to--the others are just people commenting on what they see in a dog. That's life. It's objectivity---smart and stupid---good and bad. As to people emailing you privately--So what? I only hope they took the time to email Gwent police as well and do something really important. Still, I do apologize for my blunder and upsetting you. That was never my intention. (I must add, though, the picture marked January'06 certainly looks like ice to me; whereas the photo, March'06 appears to be slush.) Anyway, try and let it go. Again, I am sorry, L.

The picture story makes me sad. Sorry the dog isn't turning out to be show quality. But to say you have no room for Companions and then to picture your son handling him, training him in Agility, etc. So I have to ask is your sons companion for sale simply becuase he hasn't turned out to be conformation show quality? Looks like they were enjoying Agility together in that picture is why I ask and you can see the bond and love in your sons eyes in those pictures. With kids today getting into everything bad they can, to have your sons hobby being an Agility dog would far outweigh the cost. Even 4H has an agility program. Its to bad about the hips but many Agility dogs compete and do well with far less then mild sublaxation of 1 hip joint. Testicles are also not required for performance in Agility. Of course some sort of monetary compensation is due you for the status change from show/pet. But I say you keep him and develop that 1 picture into a memory album of HIS 1st Shepherd, you know that one memory he will have his entire life. (wink)

Kaykohl Land, I wasn't trying to infer you did anything wrong, pups are a crapshoot, you clearly ended up with the short end of the stick. I was just curious if taping was tried. Even if it was determined he was unbreedable I would have taped them just for appearance sake, nothing more, didn't mean to offend. I was also just curious about LMH's observation about him standing on Ice, thought maybe it was easier to slide his leg back to stack him, lol. You cleared that up though.

GSDfan, Just reread this thread. I reacted to the owner's obvious distress and in my efforts to make her feel better, I left you hanging. That was totally wrong of me. The photo is confusing. Simple as that. To say more will only drag this on, and I'm now aware there's a lot more about this situation than I realized. I hit a nerve with my comment. It's quite apparent that this is a sore subject after reading that page on Fedora. And, Kor und Leistungzucht, I, also, hope the dog finds a wonderful home. I'm sure everyone does.

tara82: You asked if soft ears and one testicle were hereditary. Would you take the chance and breed to a dog with soft ears and one testicle? If they weren't genetic than no one would have a problem using the dog, would they? Things happens. There are far worse issues in the breed. But for show and breeding purposes, they totally eliminate the dog. LMH: Federo's ears were glued with foam inserts. Testicle down or not, we did glue them for appearance sake. I mentored under a couple of breeders more than a decade ago who had to glue almost all of their dogs' ears, so used the same technique they did. I was consistent and watched for any irritation. Through it all, he was wonderful about the entire process. Maximus Mom: Federo was taken to Agility for socialization and to get used to different surfaces. We did not do anything with him off of the ground. Yes, he and my son are extremely bonded. He has slept in my son's room since he arrived. My son has a passion for showing and handling. He has handled dogs at numerous regional events from puppy to working classes, including dogs he has trained 100% himself and had no one double. I gave him the option to keep Federo and pursue other avenues, however, he opted to raise another puppy that he could fully compete with. There is nothing wrong with that! We agreed that Federo would only be placed with a family, with a son, and preferably locally were we can visit. Federo is going to be happier in a one dog home versus here sharing his time with his boy and his new dog he is developing. Federo is not my son's first dog, and will not be his last. But he will always have a special place in all of our hearts. To understand my son's passion in the breed, you can get a good idea here: http://www.klgsd.com/jrhandling.htm We love our dogs, and our children are extremely involved in all that we do with them. We also almost exclusively use Jr.s to handle them and are always more than willing to help educate anyway that we can...... On a positive note, Steve Cox has contacted me and we are currently discussing options.

Kaykohl Land: Pleased to hear that you have finally had contact with the breeder, hope it all works out for you.I had a dog once who lost a tooth, and the breeder( not cox)tried to stop me showing her because it spoilt their reputation, so i would imagine you're in the driving seat then.

Kaykohl Land, Dogs come and go, and go and come, and come and go... ....There's always another one just around the corner. I'm sure you'll get just what you want in the end. I'd say good luck in any future endeavors, but see you already have plenty. Silly old me.