Not busy, read this, Am. vs German dogs - Page 2

I go to local AKC shows from time to time just to watch. The last show had one GSD that I would have even give a second look. When my female was young I trained with a fireman who had a female from a "well-known" AKC kennel. He finally quit training with us because his American bred Show girl fell so far behind that it was embarrassing. Seriously, I felt sorry for him and had to be careful not to make him feel insulted. We were doing agility work. I trained with another gentleman who had a AKC female out of their famous "Dallas". I was not impressed. She had a faded coat, shy, we had to be careful petting her as she might bite, had small pointy bitchy head. COnformation she was ok if you like American line.

I'm with you Do Right, I think Rinty turned most of America on to the GSD. Unfortunately most do not know what it means to be a GSD. Those people actually claimed that "German dogs are overly aggressive" and have " no angulation in the croup and hind legs". At this point I think we can all agree that the German judges have been advanceing dogs with round backs, steep croups, and excessive rear angulation. The round back is the only point on which they were correct although they incorrectly called it a roach. Also of note: Rinty's descendants are likely all pitiful heel walking sway backed nerve bags with ridiculous names. Sorry if I pegged you as a softie. Best Wishes, Jonah

DR, I once had the misfortune of attending an AKC show. It was pitiful. A young male came careening around the ring. I do not think he could have run straight if he wanted to. His hocks were pounding the ground so hard that you could hear them, his front legs were uncontrolably reaching out left and right, and his head was jerked back as if he were having a siezure. He looked and acted panicked as if he feared for his life. When it finally ended he loafed on his hocks quite winded from his 50 yard dash. I have never understood how people make a connection in their minds between that abomination and a strong balanced dog who will serve and protect and who can look at ease trotting 20 miles, then go play ball or do bite work. It is simply NOT the same type of animal. Best Wishes to ALL, JDH

The article referred to above was written by an individual who was suspended by the AKC because the genetic testing on his breedings did not match his claimed litter registrations, if I remeber correctly. This particular AKC champion appeared to move very nicely from the side, albeit technically incorrectly when studied closely (excess length stabilizes the imbalances between the front and rear and gives better appearing movement but at a higher energy/exertion cost). IMO the dog was overly long, lacking bone and depth and produced far too many serious genetic problems in his progeny. I can't comment on his temperament because I don't know. It's obvious that the writer had never really understood the GSD standard (AKC or FCI). Yes, the W. German zuchschau GSDs have too many archbacks (with rump-roll-up off lead). And the W. German profung GSDs have too many long stringy dogs with saggy backs and poor movement. However, there are still many GSDs in profung and zuchschau breeding in W. Germany that are correct (actually numbers wise these number in the hundreds and are often found at secondary kennels or back further in the V classes at zuchtschaus). There are a large number of ugly incorrect GSDs in W. Germany but still a large number of correct ones with great looks, close to the standard (an more numbers wise than anywhere else in the world). And some large kennels like Batu enforce a self-instituted ban on archbacks, so these GSDs do exist if you know where to get them (one American who does is Lenny of Estahaus kennels--his showline imports do not have archbacks and move correctly from the side).

I wasn't clear in pointing out that the writer of this absurd and erroneous article had what he claimed was the best GSD male AKC Champion. His dog was put up a number of times and highly praised by a well known AKC woman judge who ended up buying co-ownership in a W. German showline import.

Preston, As always, you are a fount of knowledge. Thanks for the contributions here and also on the correct temperament (or lack thereof) of a GSD on another thread.