What will look like the GSD in the coming future!! - Page 1

Although the GSD have change through all years, the SV ends up with this shape of dog but still did not find a way to solve displastic problem. Most of top dogs are now around and over 66cm, and the sv is now planning to reduce the size of the GSD's to max 65cm and females to 60.5cm from now till 2010. Big dogs are a kind of source for HD &ED.Moreover, the SV is now admiring URSUS free lines, and moving toward YAK, Bax, DUX, Baru lines to reduce Ursus line though will give a new look for the GSD in the coming future. But where is the sable line?? "Champ dakota, Timo berrekasten..."

The German Shepherd Dog association (SV)needs to redirect the goals, taking care of the health and workability of this magnific and loved breed. Since the beguining this dog is well known for the job it can get done, and now some care just about "bloodline", or apearance. The structure is important to give the condition to perform the work required, yet, what we can see is that breeders all around the world are focused only in the apearance, some dont even care about temperament. I really believe that genetic diversity plays an important part in bringuing health to the breed and that we shouldnt concentrate too much of any dog's blood. There are good dogs in ever bloodline, as well as bad weak animals. Lets use the good ones, not making too much inbreeding and select for healthfull hips and sound temperament. THAT WILL HELP TO BUILD A FUTURE FOR THE BREED!

Interesting thread. We know that our dog has gone through an evolution of sorts since the founding of the breed more than one-hundred (100) years ago. There has obviously been some recent unrest inside the S.V. as critical officers of the organization have watched the dog evolve into something other than the dog described in the F.C.I. standard and have given their silent (in most cases) approval to the dogs who did not conform to this standard. Probably the obvious sign about the existence of different and strong opinions inside the S.V. was demonstrated by the recent departure (subject to interpretation!) of Dr. Helmut Raiser. I am not saying that I agree with all of Dr. Raiser's ideas! I venture to say that the most significant part of this evolution occurred over the past three (3) decades. The breed standard was changed to allow the taller, heavier, and longer dog to fit inside the standard rather than forcing breeders to breed for medium size. I don't think that we need to bring up the Ambred GSD, for that is the subject of a completely different thread. During December 2006 I posted a link to an article that specifically addressed some of the problems caused by the continual re-interpretation of the breed standard as some judges have seen fit. This is parallel to the seemingly silent approval by he S.V.'s officers to the selection of dogs for the highest award levels. This link to my earlier post concerns a document that was written a few years ago, but is still quite correct in its assessment of the situation: http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/71239.html Now, from where do we go? Do we wait for the very slow wheels of the S.V. to turn, or does the market force breeders to produce the dog described in the F.C.I. standard and maintain a body norm that is in the middle, not near the top of the standard? Not long from now there will be many new faces in the hierarchy of the S.V. due to the retirement of long-time members and officers. And which way will the S.V. go then? That will only be proven by time Bob-O

This article contains a speech by the Netherlands Breed Warden on various issues. Hit the "Modern Dogs" link: http://www.germanshepherdforum.com/indexbrartic.htm I believe I posted this before, but it's worth reading. The speech discusses a lot more than the size issue, but there's a lot of food for thought here.

the size issue has to be addressed,along with the working ability,i own black-red show line,but i would like to see the breed move back to its roots

My concern based on the highline GSD's I've seen myself and in photos is that more attention needs to be paid to atleticism, it is a suvival charactersitic for a herding dog. GSD's that are too heavy in body and head and too short in leg do not have the endurance that is needed to herd sheep 24/7. I myself do not like the overdone bodies, roachy backs, and bullish heads seen on so many of the current male winners here and in Germany. They can do enough to earn their Schutzhund degrees and pass bitework, but I'd be shocked if they have the endurance required to tend sheep. They look awkward and ponderous. If this trend continues even the drivey dogs will not be able to work, their overdone bodies will not allow it. A good working dog must be athletic. We don't ask weight lifters to run sprint races; how can we expect heavy bodied dogs to herd sheep?

I think the GSD (SV standard) of the future will not have a severely roached back, be a bit smaller, have sounder structure, better nerves over all, but not be as hard as I like. If the courage test is abolished from Schutzhund the breed is in BIG trouble! SS

Why in the world would the courage test be abolished???? That is intergal to the breed, it must show courage. Even our softest little princess shows courage if somebody strange comes to our house or is snooping in the next door property.

Bob-O, I was unaware that the height limit was raised, though judges have long used euphemism and outright lies to describe the height of otherwise excellent dogs. J Issa, There is not a departure from the Ursus lines, rather they form the base of the current breed. Consequently, we are seeking studs of other lines that will produce well with our Ursus line bitches, many of whom are bred rather close. While the Dux lines are producing some very impressive dogs, temperament and hips are of concern. I am rather surprised that SV has not been more agressive at denying top placements to dogs with poor ZW and lackluster TSB. A major strength of the SV system of breed shows is the ability to use production and outside performance data in making judgements. This could most certainly include ZW and temperament of progeny. There has certainly been some attempt made at weeding out the weak dogs at the HZS, but this can certainly be stepped up. Best Wishes, Jonah

I don't know about you guys but I think we should breed for a mouth at both ends that way the dog can do the work still and at the same time bite some the idiot breeders.