Non-GS, but please give opinions of this.... - Page 4

I have seen one at a schutzhund trial and I really liked the dog.

Looks like what can happen when people leave intact dogs run loose together to me. the shelters are full of them.

SS

I think we are being harsh.  This guy has politely described his plan, and it does include breeding out each generation, which makes it healthy, if he is truly avoiding inbreeding.  People who buy these dogs are probably buying them in lieu of buying other big dogs, such as purebred danes and saints, not instead of rescuing, so he is not doing more harm than breeders of purebred dogs in that sense, unless he really is displacing rescues, which I doubt.  His claims to superiority are so far untested -- but who knows, maybe they will be tested soon.  He doesn't say what medical clearances he's getting, but honestly that's something a lot of purebred people neglect (not excusable, just not blamed on the cross-breeding). 

I think the main problem is that he has to enlist a handful of really committed people with some money, time and passion for this -- to broaden the gene pool and hasten the fixing of type.  And he has to make sure that in the fixing of type he does not narrow down the gene pool too much inadvertently.  If he does, he may create a breed healthier than danes or saints, so what is so bad about that?

I must admit that I think mal x gsd is a sensible cross, especially if the gsd is a great at A and C as the mal might pump up B.  Sometimes it could be good...

Bigger is not better when it comes to dogs.

If I were to design a breed it would be German Shepherd, Border collie, Pit bull and Coon Hound.

You would have a very intelligent athletic and fast dog with a great nose. Maybe...

One word:

HIPS!

Danes and St. Bernards are classic breeds prone to hip dysplasia. I am aware of theories of hybrid vigor, so I don't need to be made aware of the, but if it is a same locus genetic predisposition, wouldn't the breeding of two unrelated parents with the same risk of a problem also prompt the risk developing in the offspring? 

Looking at this as I would examine any breeder, there is no indication of hips/elbows, CERF, or any other health screening done on the parents. "Designer-dog" aspect aside, evaluating this as if it were a kennel of reputable establishment, the foundation stock should be cleared as sound specimens before breeding occures. Not doing that is a classic case of a BYB.

Sounds like the breeder just fell in love with the mix, and decided to find reasons to justify the propagation of more. Nowadays creating a "new" breed properly takes decades of research, and thorough evaluation of both parent lines (specific lines, not just breed traits) to ensure the mix would be compatable. Look at the sires, dams, grands... it's like in-breed breeding, only much more complex. I don't support it.

And visually, he's on his way to recreating the Tibetan Mastiff