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by GSDVINCE on 17 September 2009 - 17:09
We purchased a puppy at 8 weeks of age intending to join a local Schutzhund club and work towards a Schutzhund title. My little pup had a terrible case of pyoderma,has food allergies,cowhocked and really doesn't have the drives needed for Schutzhund. After a lot of Vet expenses ,diet remedy and monitored exercise he is really pretty healthy and strong. I still have a very strong interest in Sch but am not willing to get a second dog or rehome my little guy. Over the last year and a half we have LEARNED so much and found many activities both him and I enjoy together.Please share your experiences !
by Pridhams on 18 September 2009 - 12:09
This must've been so disappointing for you, but I'm glad you didn't give up on your pup, and he's now a strong and healthy lad. I think some people are really driven by competition work, and would have been quite hard hearted with a youngster that didn't make the grade either health wise or attitude. But it sounds like you have a great companion in your life with your lad, and it sounds like you're glad you kept the faith with him.
I got my latest youngster with the idea of doing something with him on a local level, but at 5 months he was diagnosed with dysplasia in both hips. He wasn't a candidate for TPO as a femoral head was already showing wear, and the other side had 'mice' in the joint capsule, so at 11 months of age he had a hip replaced.
A few days after surgery he dislocated the prosthesis, so went back in for revision. He dislocated again. More revision. Dislocated again. Then he was strapped up in a hip spica until enough healing had taken place not to dislocate.
Because of the complications post -op, he couldn't get quite right, plaiting with the operated leg, intermittent muscle spasm from pelvis though shoulder, and profound muscle atrophy on the operated side, there was nothing there at all, could palpate the femur in its entirety.
Acupuncture, physiotherapy and water treadmill have completely turned this youngster around. He's 20 months now, and you'd never think there had been anything wrong. He's amazingly strong, healthy, happy and vigorous, loves life.
During his rehab his true nature shone through, a sunny, happy, lad with a fabulously tolerant temperament and an absolutely bombproof attitude.
He'll obviously be no good for Sch or Agility, but he is making a wonderful Therapy dog.
Not what I had in mind, but blessings are often sent in different ways, and the elderly sick that he has 'worked' with so far have been amazed that this great bear of a shep is such a kind and honest dog. They tell tales of how intimidating they generally found sheps, but this lad has their complete trust and affection, and he brings a lot of comfort into their lives.
He's taught me a great deal too, because he's still 'all shep,' not a labrador in a shep suit, and for all that he's been through, he's quite an extraordinary dog.
Haven't given up on the Sch though... maybe in a year or two when I'm ready for my next pup!
I got my latest youngster with the idea of doing something with him on a local level, but at 5 months he was diagnosed with dysplasia in both hips. He wasn't a candidate for TPO as a femoral head was already showing wear, and the other side had 'mice' in the joint capsule, so at 11 months of age he had a hip replaced.
A few days after surgery he dislocated the prosthesis, so went back in for revision. He dislocated again. More revision. Dislocated again. Then he was strapped up in a hip spica until enough healing had taken place not to dislocate.
Because of the complications post -op, he couldn't get quite right, plaiting with the operated leg, intermittent muscle spasm from pelvis though shoulder, and profound muscle atrophy on the operated side, there was nothing there at all, could palpate the femur in its entirety.
Acupuncture, physiotherapy and water treadmill have completely turned this youngster around. He's 20 months now, and you'd never think there had been anything wrong. He's amazingly strong, healthy, happy and vigorous, loves life.
During his rehab his true nature shone through, a sunny, happy, lad with a fabulously tolerant temperament and an absolutely bombproof attitude.
He'll obviously be no good for Sch or Agility, but he is making a wonderful Therapy dog.
Not what I had in mind, but blessings are often sent in different ways, and the elderly sick that he has 'worked' with so far have been amazed that this great bear of a shep is such a kind and honest dog. They tell tales of how intimidating they generally found sheps, but this lad has their complete trust and affection, and he brings a lot of comfort into their lives.
He's taught me a great deal too, because he's still 'all shep,' not a labrador in a shep suit, and for all that he's been through, he's quite an extraordinary dog.
Haven't given up on the Sch though... maybe in a year or two when I'm ready for my next pup!
by GSDtravels on 18 September 2009 - 13:09
Too many times we see people who give up on a dog because it doesn't "measure up". When a dog is found to be other than what was planned, out they go and soon a replacement is found. I don't believe the dog's best interest is ever taken into consideration when human egos are involved. Sad really, until I read these types of threads. Good for both of you for keeping a dog that maybe wasn't what you expected, but finding out what is best for the dog and moving in that direction for his sake, and having a good time with it, to boot. Kudos to you both.
by Sunsilver on 18 September 2009 - 14:09
I had a similar experience with my female.
After years of just having rescues, which couldn't be shown due either not being show quality, or lacking papers, I finally bought a registered pup with a wonderful pedigree. Drove 11 hours down to Ohio to pick her up. I chose her mainly because I liked the pedigree, and liked her topline. She wasn't stretched in the back, and her topline was nice and level, with gentle curves from neck to croup, just like the standard says, and no trace of a roach. She looked to have nice movement, too, excellent bone, good level bite, nice feet and legs, and a super attitude. At the time I bough her, her ears were already erect, and looked just perfect, if a little large. (But hey, most dogs go through that phase where they need to grow into their ears....)
Well, it took nine months to get the paperwork sorted out, as her dad was a German import, and didn't have his AKC registration yet. When I finally took her in her first show, a pro handler told me there was no way she'd win in the AKC/CKC show ring. She just wasn't what they were looking for. She suggested I do performance events with her, get some titles on her, then breed her to a nice male, one that would compensate for her faults. Most of her faults are minor. She has faded pigment, and her front feet turn in just a little, which causes her gait to not be 100% straight. She's a little slab-sided (too deep a chest, too much tuck-up in the rear) and her ears could be firmer. Other than that, her overall body outline and proportions are EXACTLY what I was looking for.
Yes, I could have tried to do schutzhund with her. She's got great ball and prey drive and tons of confidence. But the nearest club is around 3 hours away, and I'm not THAT gung ho on trying it. If there were a club closer, I'd give it a go.
So, we started. working on tracking, obedience and agility. I had my eye on a REALLY gorgeous male I was thinking of breeding her to.
Then the OFA results came back. Mild dysplasia (subluxation) in one hip.
What do I do? Well, this town has a 2 dog limit per household. I cry some tears, get her spayed and suck it up.
I now have TWO dogs I'm planning to title in performance events, the other one being my resuce, who now has his PEN number, so he can compete.
And I"m seriously looking for property where I CAN have more dogs...
Yes, I did buy a property, but the deal fell through because the house had too many defects, and the timber on the land was worth only a fraction of what the owner said it was worth.
After years of just having rescues, which couldn't be shown due either not being show quality, or lacking papers, I finally bought a registered pup with a wonderful pedigree. Drove 11 hours down to Ohio to pick her up. I chose her mainly because I liked the pedigree, and liked her topline. She wasn't stretched in the back, and her topline was nice and level, with gentle curves from neck to croup, just like the standard says, and no trace of a roach. She looked to have nice movement, too, excellent bone, good level bite, nice feet and legs, and a super attitude. At the time I bough her, her ears were already erect, and looked just perfect, if a little large. (But hey, most dogs go through that phase where they need to grow into their ears....)
Well, it took nine months to get the paperwork sorted out, as her dad was a German import, and didn't have his AKC registration yet. When I finally took her in her first show, a pro handler told me there was no way she'd win in the AKC/CKC show ring. She just wasn't what they were looking for. She suggested I do performance events with her, get some titles on her, then breed her to a nice male, one that would compensate for her faults. Most of her faults are minor. She has faded pigment, and her front feet turn in just a little, which causes her gait to not be 100% straight. She's a little slab-sided (too deep a chest, too much tuck-up in the rear) and her ears could be firmer. Other than that, her overall body outline and proportions are EXACTLY what I was looking for.
Yes, I could have tried to do schutzhund with her. She's got great ball and prey drive and tons of confidence. But the nearest club is around 3 hours away, and I'm not THAT gung ho on trying it. If there were a club closer, I'd give it a go.
So, we started. working on tracking, obedience and agility. I had my eye on a REALLY gorgeous male I was thinking of breeding her to.
Then the OFA results came back. Mild dysplasia (subluxation) in one hip.
What do I do? Well, this town has a 2 dog limit per household. I cry some tears, get her spayed and suck it up.
I now have TWO dogs I'm planning to title in performance events, the other one being my resuce, who now has his PEN number, so he can compete.
And I"m seriously looking for property where I CAN have more dogs...
Yes, I did buy a property, but the deal fell through because the house had too many defects, and the timber on the land was worth only a fraction of what the owner said it was worth.
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