IMPROVING THE GSD - Page 1

What are your thoughts on improving the breed and how should this be accomplished. We all have our opinions about this subject, so lets hear some. Keep in mind we're talking about the breed as a whole not working or showline seperately.

 looks should be second and workability prime goal. If the dog cannot work he cannot be qualified as GSD period

cheers

"The GSD was and is meant to be a working dog. But it is like anything else in order to get the best all things must be equally balanced. Looks, structure, intelligence, workability, health etc etc. "

exactly!

WRONG.  Temperament comes first and foremost.  Always. Always.  Then of course structure;  without either of these, you do not have a german shepherd as a working dog.  The rest will fall into place.  With this in mind and good care;  health should follow also. 

Improving the breed,
First you must all come together on what this means, whats in need of repair, where is the breed lacking.
Then you must realize this breed has become specialized and what your asking is to bring these different specialties together in one new line.
Thats right, a new line would be created.   No longer the home companion, pet, the show champion, the working K-9, the rare herding dog. 
A brand new line with all the qualities combined in a dog that has no health problems at all, a solid, trustworthy, dependable, predictable, stable animal thats not only prolific but maintenance free.    Well low maintenance at best.
It would take a great deal of vision and organization with rules and standards.
Cooperation among breeders, and financing.
Then be prepared for the years it would take to bring this new line to consistency, organize mass breeding programs to ensure the spread of the new line into the global population, follow up for generations, a new registry.
Just understand those who do breed for their particular specialty would not be interested in a new line of mixed types.
Its a nice dream this Golden GSD, a dog that can do it all, and still be without defects.
The first step would be to come together for one common goal,  I do not believe humans are capable of this.
Lets just see if we can breed what we have with a little more care.
I don't think the breed needs much more than that.

Moons.

I do not believe in the golden middle.  It is like saying, lets all get along in this world.  Will not happen.  All will not come together.  Show people will always have a bias towards structure.  Sport will always want high drive dogs.  Working dogs such as military will always want civil.  We all have our preferences and it is fine to keep them at that IMO.  I appreciate show, just not for me, I appreciate SAR, blind, pet etc. but I have my personal preference for specifically what I want a dog for for my uses. 

Any that take on the overwhelming challenge of reaching a golden middle, I take my hat off to you and wish you well.  Just keep in mind the overwhelming odds, the extensive time, culling, massive money (unless you can get some of this stimulas money) and many many broken hearts.  Because about the time you start thinking you have reached this "golden middle" you will find that some of the litters that looked so promising have developed some serious health problems, only 2 years too late. 

Max had no restricitons, endless time, healthy dogs to start with and no  AR groups to stick their nose in his business. Much different world today requiring specific needs for specific jobs.  And they must be prioritized in the breeding program.
JMO

Moons, good post with thought and consideration given to the question at hand. Most surely you are right, it will never happen, everyone has their own ideas of what the gsd should be and goes about making it better accordingly. There really is no common ground shared by all, no visions of the total dog bred for perfection in all things.The brand new line you speak of I disagree with, given thought I'm sure you'll agree this would not be a new line but a very old line brought back to life, in fact the orignal line as it was intended to be, but in todays world could never be to the satisfaction of all. I also agree with your view of just being more carefull with breeding what we have, no the breed doesn't need much more then that. The gsd of today satisfies the needs of a variety of owners whether it be pet,working,or show. The problem lies with those that believe it should only be bred for their particular needs or desires. As stated above by a couple of folks the health and temperament should  take priority above all else.