Breeding Compromises??? - Page 1

I was having a conversation with some friends about working line GSD's.

Would you sacrafice Structure for Termperment and Working Ability.  I am not talking about throwing the standard out the window.  But how much do you compromise for a fabulous temperment and good solid working ability?  Would it you breed good hips, elbows, nerves, structure, and clear headed with a some structure issues...say ears not being perfect, up just not set perfectly correct.  Or the feet slightly cow hocked, not bad but a little,  or some minor issues like that.  I have my own opinion but would like to hear from others too.

Shawn

I personally would sacrifice a couple minor things in exchange for a. good hips/elbows healthy dogs, b. exceptional temperment- a dog that can function in a home with other animals, babies, children ect. and c. it's working ability.  And yes I'd say it'd be in that particular order.  I personally know what I like, what I want and what is important to me with my dogs.  I can live with a dog a little cow hocked not that big of a deal to me if it happend to work out that way but the dog had everything else going.  I don't like to see soft ears but again if you showed me a dog that possessed all the other characteristics I'd say I would still own it- just probably not breed it or breed to it for fear that something else dysfunctional might pop up. 

I think we all have to sacrifice something in the end as no litter turns out 100% perfect the way you wanted it.  In a perfect world it would but realistically I don't think that happens.  I guess it would also depend on what one's goals would be for the dogs.  A police k9 officer or SAR person is not gonna give a rats ass if the dog has a soft ear or is cow hocked or looks pretty when he goes to work.  So in that respect those folks would probably sacrifice those things for a healthy strong dog, clear head, solid nerves who can work work work.  Pet folks may not care either especially if they have no desire to ever breed.  Show folks probably would never breed a dog with structure faults and may give up a little more on the workability in order to gain the structure and temperment.  Depends on who you ask I guess.

I remember the great conformation judge, Ernie Loeb was judging the nationals one year and he put up Anton's Jesse for Grand Victrix or Select 2(But I think GV). Now Jesse had super conformation and gait, but did have ears that inclined in somewhat. Well, one of the purist made the comment, "How could he put a dog up that high with an earset like that" Supposedly, Mr. Loeb replied, "She doesn't run on her ears!!!"  I thought that was very insightful and it never left me.

Loeb was one of the first judges I ever showed under - another working breed. Boy, was he ever intimidating, but he always ended up with a good dog in front of the BOB sign.  I liked to watch him in the GSD ring, he got plenty of respect from those PHA handlers. When he gave his intructions, you had better have been paying attention .

No dog is perfect.  I dont care what lines you breed or who you are.... EVERYONE sacrificies SOMETHING when they breed a dog.  Every single dog has faults, some smaller then others, some dogs have more faults then others... and every breeder has their preferences and opinions on what they can deal with and what they cant.

I do not mind some things that others may hate.  I hate weak ears... drives me nuts.  I want ears up on their own at a young age.  But there are many more important things and I wouldnt pass up an overwise excellent dog for my bitch just because his ears were not as strong as I would prefer. 

If someone would pass up an otherwise perfect dog who could work well, looked well, healthy, sound, everything you want as far as pedigree, looks, working, etc... JUST BECAUSE he is slightly cow hocked... well that is silly to me lol  If you had another dog who is equally as perfect in all ways but isnt cow hocked then fine... but only if we lived in a perfect world :)  Whats sad TO ME is there are breeders who would overlook the slightly cow hocked dog... and instead go with a dog who might not be cow hocked but might have a sire who died of bloat at age 5 or might have a poor production record for hips/elbows or might lack power in the bitework or might lack biddability for obedience.  Again, comes down to what you prefer and what you can and cannot live with.  JMO of course

I would not sacrifice anything that is in the standard for the breed.  Correct temperament, good enough drives to be able to work (at least), correct structure (G KKL-2 at least), erect ears, correct pigment (at least, I prefer dark, rich pigment but would possibly sacrifice that preference for a grey dog that was excellent in every other way, but still not outside the standard) - correct size (though I prefer medium-large, I would possibly breed to a smaller or slightly over-size - emphasis on SLIGHTLY, still breed-surveyable, if everything else was excellent). - in other words, if the dog is titled, has at least an acceptable conformation rating and breed survey, has enough drive to work and be trained without force, has a correct enough temperament to also be able to work and not have any major screws loose - and no faults that would eliminate it from being breed surveyed, then I would consider it for my program.  Of course if more than one or maybe two things were "not quite what I like personally for my program" then I would not use it, even if everything was within the standard.   I'm picky, and IMO breeders should be picky - the correct dog isn't a rare find.

molly