Are you happy with your GSD? Tell us plz - Page 1

I want to make an announcement, yesterday I was very happy, no no I was extremely happy, now I know I have at least one good real GSD. I love both the show and the work GSDs and own both, I wish the work had better conformation and I wish the show had better protection ability. Yesterday a dog trainer visited to see my dogs and I asked him to test Orwell's courage, he asked me to tigh up the dog to a post and I did giving him freedom of movement of about 2 meters, the trainer agitated Orwell and the dog stood his ground and tried to attack the trainer, the trainer increased the pressure and the dog retaliated fiercely without any sort of backing down or cowardness, in the process Orwell cut the chain and jumped on the trainer just like videos I see here, but he made a real bite aiming at the trainer's neck who caught him from the cheeks and the bite was made on the trainer's shoulder, but we caught Orwell before damage was done. I know I have a real GSD, maybe if I had to choose I would choose the work, but I wish I will never be forced to choose between my dogs, I'm happy and proud.

Orwell
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=631653

Ibrahim

Yes, I'm extremely happy since 1990 when I was lucky to bring my first GSD till now with my 5 GSD.

Awesome Ibrahim. :-) what a good feeling! Best to you, Theresa

Gooooood boy Orwell. 

Not to rain on your parade Ibraham;  BUT my showline boy did something similar on two different occasions and I knew at that time that YES, he would protect and I keep saying this, but there is nothing like a NATURAL protector;  the best of the best.  Nan

Nans,

I don't think I understood 
What the trainer did and the reaction of Orwell does not show natural protection from Orwell?
Can you give example of natural protection 
I will then make a point to that trainer:)

Congrats Ibrahim!  I have always loved Orwell.  What is it about his conformation you don't like, in which you prefer a SL conformation?  Just curious.  Also, is Orwell neutral until he is threatened?

As for my dog,  she indeed has fight drive and courage, however, she is a little too aggressive.  I'd like to see her wait for someone to be a threat. She bites first and doesn't even bother with the questions later.  Also, she is a stubborn hard headed dog, and not calm, which I'd like to see more of in a GSD.
I love her looks, but I prefer a straighter spine and front.  She is slightly easty westy.

But am I happy with her?  Yes, most days!

 P. S. I don't think Nan was taking anything away from what Orwell did (he definitely showed natural protection) but was saying her SL is the same. 
A good GSD is a good GSD regardless of the lines Nan  



 

Red Sable,

I was talking in general, I wish work GSD has better conformation, from my point of view, I like some slope in the topline but not extreme and I like more hind angulation than most work GSDs have.
Orwell is beautifully built, I like his build and construction, I believe you forgot but it was you and dear Debi who pointed his "faults"
Splayed feet
Flat feet
Easty westy
Long toes
He has slightly short croup
Needs better stop in the head

Orwell is not agressive, he's always been neutral, that is the first time he was confronted by anyone, he showed courage. If you remember Erri the gorgeous sable one, he was rather a coward, he would run from threat, he's not with me anymore, but he's living a very good life with good people now. He was spayed, they didn't tell me they would spay him, but he is happy and still outgoing, si I think it didn't affect him negatively.

Ibrahim

Ah, yes I now remember.  I hope I was tactful, sort of?  
His superb temperament made me forget his structural  faults.

I'm sure Erri is fine and if that is his temperament, they are better to neuter him than breed him, yes?

Yes correct you are.
I don't like to be in the blind and you are always diplomatic in telling me the faults of my dogs , lol.