- Jun 4, 2011
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I think it really depends with the GSD. I think part of it is the HUGE split between the bloodlines. The showlines and the working lines have gone their separate ways years ago. I have seen several examples of showline breeders who are moving toward a more structurally sound dog, but the specialty ring is still dominated by the extreme dogs. Temperament wise, there is more of a mixed bag. Sure, the dogs are confident in their showring environment, but outside their comfort zone they are basket cases. I stewarded at our clubs last show and some of the dogs were just a hot mess- skittish, pacing, bug-eyed. They also lack the drive that a GSD should have. Then you have some working line breeders who have gone over the top in the opposite direction and have dogs that are just hyperactive and can NOT calm down.
Then, of course, there is the dark side of the GSD world - the pet line dog. Sadly, this is the dog that most of America today knows as the GSD. Some of them have good nerves and are sound dogs. Others are the product of years of "hey, I've got a dog, you've got a dog, lets sell puppies!!" They are skittish; they have aggression issues; they have no drive. You have people actually breeding ON PURPOSE a couch potato GSD. That is their whole marketing gimmick - a GSD without the need for all that exercise. Then there are the over-sized breeders who are breeding 120+ lb dogs that, when you look at them, are just FAT!!
I hear so many times that my dogs are so small. so skinny. "are you sure they are German Shepherds?" Rayden is 95 lbs, way over standard. Singe is already 60lbs at 7 months, so he is a big boy too. But, arrgh, people think I'm starving him to death because he has a nice tuck and if you run your hand over him you can feel the slightest indication of his ribs.
I think that the dogs are victims of the same obesity epidemic that has fallen on the kids today. They don't exercise; their owners give them yummy treats to make up for being gone all day.
I think it really depends with the GSD. I think part of it is the HUGE split between the bloodlines. The showlines and the working lines have gone their separate ways years ago. I have seen several examples of showline breeders who are moving toward a more structurally sound dog, but the specialty ring is still dominated by the extreme dogs. Temperament wise, there is more of a mixed bag. Sure, the dogs are confident in their showring environment, but outside their comfort zone they are basket cases. I stewarded at our clubs last show and some of the dogs were just a hot mess- skittish, pacing, bug-eyed. They also lack the drive that a GSD should have. Then you have some working line breeders who have gone over the top in the opposite direction and have dogs that are just hyperactive and can NOT calm down.
Then, of course, there is the dark side of the GSD world - the pet line dog. Sadly, this is the dog that most of America today knows as the GSD. Some of them have good nerves and are sound dogs. Others are the product of years of "hey, I've got a dog, you've got a dog, lets sell puppies!!" They are skittish; they have aggression issues; they have no drive. You have people actually breeding ON PURPOSE a couch potato GSD. That is their whole marketing gimmick - a GSD without the need for all that exercise. Then there are the over-sized breeders who are breeding 120+ lb dogs that, when you look at them, are just FAT!!
I hear so many times that my dogs are so small. so skinny. "are you sure they are German Shepherds?" Rayden is 95 lbs, way over standard. Singe is already 60lbs at 7 months, so he is a big boy too. But, arrgh, people think I'm starving him to death because he has a nice tuck and if you run your hand over him you can feel the slightest indication of his ribs.
I think that the dogs are victims of the same obesity epidemic that has fallen on the kids today. They don't exercise; their owners give them yummy treats to make up for being gone all day.
