OLD DDR Bloodlines in The USA - Page 1

What happened to all the old ddr dogs that came to the usa? I would think when the wall came down most were sold here. SDG

Many were sold here in the 80's. We had quite a few in CA. The black dog Natan Blauen Engle springs to mind. Gento Haus Larwin blood was used heavily, crossed on our West German females. The results were not good for the most part, particularly regarding temperament, but we also got a high incidence of bad hips. The best description of the temperament problems I can come up with is "inappropriate response to stimulus." Ex: Close the door on the pickup = young dog/pup goes ballistic. Ex: Throw the tennis ball = go get it yourself. WE had a heck of a time training these dogs. They were 'way over the top in defence, had little or no prey drive. Also, although the early DDR dogs had very good structure overall, and big heads, they had slightly slanted eyes and intimidating expressions. The females did not possess strong secondary sex characteristics. They looked like slightly smaller males. The old DDR dogs were hard, hard, HARD, and not very compliant. We found it very difficult to bond with them, even as puppies. Also, many of the early DDR imports came over with debilitating parasite infections (hookworms were awful) and a host of health issues. Many died young despite our best efforts and the finest veterinary care. Remember, people in the DDR were very poor. They didn't generally have access to the veterinary/health care we have always enjoyed in this country. Another issue: Until the wall came down the primary market for GSD's was as sentry dogs. To put it simply: they were bred to kill people, not sleep in the kiddies bedrooms or visit kindergartens for police PR. Everyone I knew in N. California (the "birthplace" of SChH sport in this country) washed out their 1/2 or full DDR puppies & dogs from training, sold them as guard dogs, and gave up on DDR lines within 2-3 years. Shelley Strohl

I would like to ammend my comments above. The way I put it, it sounds like I am against all DDR dogs. This is not the case, although there are few I would have in my own program. I particlularly liked Lord and continue to be impressed with his progeny several generations down. I saw Baldur Kranz and his wife working several really wonderful Lord progeny in Germany (was it O.G. Kriftel?) I remember being impressed with their structure, their high-yet-balanced drives and their overall hardness in the protection phase. They were friendly, outgoing, and clearly joyful in obedience. A lot of fine W.German breeders in the northern Germany have incorporated some of the better DDR lines into their breeding programs. Most notably Kartago kennels. I've liked some of the dogs from from Harro Lechrainstadt crossed on DDR dogs. The DDR blood seemed to ameliorate (sp?) some of the, uh, "wackiness" (is that a word?) that Harro was famous for, and also help to balance the drivesw when bred to W. German "prey-monster" lines. I also want to correct my impression that GEnto Haus Larwin was a 100% DDR dog, when he was actually half W. German through Sagus Busecker Schloss, and half DDR through Robby Glockeneck. Both Robby and Lord went to Ingo Rudingen, as did Nathan Blauen Engel. Nasthan only produced one dog of note in the US despite numerous breedings: Baron of Buttrick (sp?). Coincidentally, Baron was out of a female by a dog I owned in the 80's, Brix vom Laimbachtal, a Boris Trogenbach son I purchased from Jo Kuhn at a late age in the 80's. Brix produced very well in the US. I am surprised more of his progeny are not listed on this database, but that was the 80's and the whole game has changed a lot in the US since then. shelley Just my oppinion... SS

How about Bob Neptunegrotte, who was a son of Zorro Laager Wall? And also Quindt Baruther-Land? Anyone have any information on them? CM

I believe that Al Gill out of Ohio still has some nice DDR lines. www.gillsgermanshepherds.com

I owned Bob vd Neptungrotte from age 6 till he died at age 12.. He was a fantastic dog.. Jody