Deficiencies in other breeds - Page 3

I had other breeds growing up and as a young adult, and frequently found myself asking gsd owners why their dog was so capable, so versatile, so quick learning, etc. In retrospect I see very clearly that most were fairly average dogs, but compared to most other breeds were SUPERSTARS. I will always have an appreciation for differnt types of dog, but I could never go back.By the way, Hodie, many washouts ( low drive, etc. make fantastic rugs). Jonah

Ulib, I have both the GSD and the Caucasian Ovcharka, my CO just passed in Jan. I want another so bad, my house is not the same without  him. as far as shedding  the co does shed more (lots) but it lets go faster,  the shepherd it seems like it is always coming out one hair at a time

For nearly 40 years as long as I can recall, we have always had breeds that fear silly things that they shouldn't with so much time spent coaxing and training dogs to overcome these fears you get to think that's how dogs are. Walking over a slatted bridge for example where through the slats the creek can be seen, one of our dogs took months for him to walk confidently across. Our GSD at 3 months old at the same bridge put the brakes on too, but had the wisdom to see that he couldn't fall down and trotted confidently straight across. Never once perhaps fortunate with our GSD boy, have we had to coax him into anything through fear, he can work it out himself if something is safe or not.

Instead of noises causing our previous breeds to tremble and hide under the table, our GSD hears a new noise and wants to check it out, where is the noise coming from and what it is to evaluate himself. Another instance our GSD loves to chase sparks off a grinder falling to the ground, I never had a dog who wasn't scared of the noise of a grinder and would run a mile let alone get close enough to see the sparks.

After nearly two years with our first GSD, these are the noticeable things where the GSD's rise to the top, to be able to access situations for themselves instinctively with wisdom and common sense which makes living and working with temperaments like this so easy in  comparison to what we have lived with before. We have had some wonderful dogs in the past that alway's hold a special and memorable place in our hearts, but in general sense, wisdom and trainability the GSD is miles in front, and being not used to such qualities in a dog for so many years, living with such an intelligent creature is still a novelty to us. I could never consider another breed after learning the differences of owning a GSD.

Burger,

CO are very good dogs. Yes they can be stubborn and independent minded but as long as you train them when they are puppies and socialize them with different things and work them they are just fine. Mine was imported from Croatia! He was a very good protection dog too. They are not for novice handlers at all. I am glad that they have not been exploited like some other breeds! They should never fall into the wrong hands that is for A DISASTER TO HAPPEN! People just don't know how strong, powerful these dogs are!

But I guess when I get a GSD it won't be a problem with the shedding :)

If somebody does not know what a CO is, watch this video, very interesting and a lot of information. It was aired on National Geography channel! Compares it to the german shepherd among others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwYxRGV-kBc

Just watched the video and WOW!  That is some handful.  And you can see they would be a shedding nightmare.  Sounds like they blow their coats all at once though so that would be nice.  Thanks for posting that video Uliborzavenje.  Very informative and interesting to say the least.  I liked what I saw but will be sticking with my GSDs.

Deb

Ulib, that program was staged just like everything on tv (did not do them justice at all)  but , you can only hope it scares most people away from these animals,you cannot describe the power or intelligence of them, my 1st came from russia  through rescue, I waited 2yrs after I saw and researched them and can't wait for another (working on it) shepherds they are not!! but if someone was out to do me deadly harm I want one of them watching my back....P.S. I still have and always will have a shepherd or two three.....

I've mostly had shepherds but I have also had and competed in OB with a cocker (1982-1996), a collie (1990-2001), and a golden (1984-1997).  I have lived with a sheltie (1995-2007) and a standard poodle (2001-). 

I am always shocked when std poodle lovers tell me how brilliant their breed is supposed to be.  In comparison to my dumbest shepherd, my poodle is dull-witted and hard headed. . If I liked humiliation I could compete with my standard poodle and probably earn about 180 in novice (equivalent to 80, not 90, in Schutz OB, given the way the judging is conducted.)  And while my cocker was only a 185-190 dog (typically 10th in a class of 50) and a good tracker, she was a horrible retriever.

But I have to admit that my golden was easier to compete with in advanced OB, although he took sometimes ten times as many reps as my competitive shepherd at that time to learn).  Once he learned something, which was never as fast as training a good shepherd, he seemed to know it for life and did not need variety to keep it interesting.  In fact, I think what makes the best goldens easy is that they don't seem to get bored and can practice for three hours a day without a loss in attitude.  He averaged 197.3 in his AKC career through utility and that's pretty darn good.  My best gsd averaged 194, and even adjusting for the fact that AKC judges are prejudiced against dog-handler contact and take off points for crowding, that gsd was still not quite as good in OB as the golden.  (He was much smarter, however, and sired guide dogs; he was also a better tracker, tougher, and a better retriever than the retriever!  He could mark three drops in a pond.)

And my collie was actually a genius in a litter of idiots.  On Volhard tests, she was solid 2's and 3's and her siblings were essentially unscorable.  I had to give her a superpuppy version of the test, while her littermates could not figure out that I was rolling paper balls for them to chase and carry.  She  was temperamentally every bit as good as a decent (not a top) working shepherd.  She averaged 196 in novice ob between nine and eleven months old and she was a natural retriever.  It took me awhile to realize that she preferred a bite for a reward over a ball or food.  She was brave and tough and smart.  She was too small to be much use in protection in real life at 55 lbs with that skinny little collie head, but she tried.  She did hate to swim, admittedly.  But overall, if I didn't know she was a 1 in 100 collie (I tested MANY litters before I found her), I'd have to say a collie could be a good choice even for people spoiled by gsds.  Unfortunately, most collies are barking fools.

I think it's important that we give individuals their due.  It's not all about breed. 

By the way, I have known a few CO's but never had one.  Your gsd will surely be LESS suspicious and much MORE physically active.

Burger,

I know what you are saying and you are correct. But A lot of them especially in russia are like that. They'll jump them huge fences with aggression no wonder why the soviet military use them as guard dog. I hope so too that this video will scare a lot of people away! They are a deadly weapon in the wrong hands. They require a firm handler with A LOT of experience and strength. Like I said mine was from Croatia but his parents were imported from russia! Oh god I miss mine too and I am sure I will get one again some where down the line!

They use these dogs a lot in dog fighting in Russia. I think that is there tradition and they do not fight till the death and they rarely get injured. They just fight to test their work dogs and celebrated their stamina and wolf-fighting skills. I would never ever do it but people have different cultures and different laws. I just hope crazy people here in the united states don't see this and try to get one! But I will say this these dogs are the most loyal, courage, faithful, lovable, protectful dogs in the world along with the german shepherd!

You can read this, pretty interesting!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/09/world/europe/09dogfight.html

MVF,

Yes you are correct and I can't wait to own a GSD! It surely be a blessing and I am sure me and my family will be very happy and joyful! We didn't have a dog since our CO passed away 2 years ago! Now we decided to get a dog again and we're hoping the GSD will fill the void in our house! Thank you :)