Conbhairean Offspring - Page 1

Hi, I'm not passing any judgement on any breeder just looking to see if anyone has any similar experiences with their GSD whose grandparents trace back to Conbhairean or Foxfold? I've a 3yr old GSD who is dog and people reactive and generally very anxious despite years of training. In the house she is a sweet, gentle loving dog who lives with 2 other dogs but outside the home she is incredibly anxious and nervous. She has been very well socialised with people but has been dog reactive since 4 mths old. A friend knows of a littermate who shows exactly the same behaviours as her, despite growing up in a solid, loving home. Her prey drive is ridiculously high. She explodes and has immense focus and a piercing look when she feels uncomfortable. It's been suggested to me (by professionals) that there could be something genetic. Can anyone help?

Used to have a Foxfold male who was like that,
years ago now. Only knew him as an adult, and
that was after he'd been 'manwork' trained for
guard dog purposes and subsequently allowed
to go 'stir crazy' by being left 24/7 in a fenced-off
run next to a gate. So not sure if the behaviour
was born in him, or taught to him ! (He was never
used for breeding as far as I'm aware).

The Conbhairean line is a Showline kennel - (Foxfold
isn't) - and a good one at that; the dogs can work,
Heather enters some in the German Sieger. Its unlikely
there would be much to complain about in a companion
home.

But you refer to the two affixes as being of the grandparents
generation; IMO its more likely any problems have occurred
through some not well planned mixing of the two lines.

Also some outrageous puppy behaviour is caused unwittingly
by poor management at home. Do you take her to Obedience
classes ?

Since puppy classes she has only ever been able to go to private lessons for general training. Her obedience is great and we do some nose work as well. She hasn't been able to go to any classes because of the closeness of other dogs. Her threshold to reacting used to be very big. She would become fixated and reactive at the smell of another dog or just a speck in the distance. She's flipped herself over on her back before in one of her 'rages'.
She got diagnosed with Lumbosa ral Disease last year and since going on medication we've seen some improvements but there is a fixation and drive in her that I have not seen in any other dog except her brother. It's like a switch goes but so much more intense than any other working dog I've seen.

i had a foxfold (inca if i remember right) granddaughtger which was combined with gefni lines - i have to say she was a very trainable dog and could take her anywhere - unfortunately lost her early at 9 years to DM.

Lambie, it's very difficult to offer training or behavioural
advice unless you meet the dog. You mentioned 'the
professionals' - did they just cop out by saying "Its genetic"
or do you have ongoing and experienced help ?
Can you get to a local Club (IPO or Ringcraft will do) to
talk with other Shepherd people ? (Leave madam at home
first time you go !)
Have you considered whether you are actually giving her
enough to do ?

Sorry for the confusion. I'm not looking for any behavioural or training advice. We have a lot of ongoing support and help from a fantastic behaviourist, trainer and vet as we'll as from owners of her litter mates and are making good progress. She is unbelievably obedient and in a lot of ways a dream dog but there seems to be something more that myself and other people working with her and her brother just haven't seem before. Her intensity goes beyond a high prey drive. I just wanted to see if anything had been flagged up by other people with dogs of the same lines.

Lambie I sent you a PM, located in the right hand menu under tools...inbox.