What are YOUR experiences on how Dogs have changed??

[BlackBrookPoultry]

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I hate to hear things like that, actually. GSDs aren't SUPPOSED to be large dogs. Even by the German Standard, they are a medium-size dogs. Those "small AKC dogs" that people complain about are actually BIGGER than the GSD used to be and are bigger than the GSDs in Germany. The standard that the AKC uses is the same ( almost word for word) that the standard has always been, since first written by Max.

That said, I'm not a fan of the showline dogs. I've seen some that I really really like, but they aren't "just" showdogs. The breeders do herding or Schutzhund or some other type of job for their dogs.

Not saying that is what you think, but way too many people think that the German Shepherd they remember from childhood was 100+ lbs. Actually, he was probably in the 60-70 lb range.

We had a German Shepherd growing up. He was 28" to the shoulder and 110 lbs. But that was in the 80's. Never had hip problems or any other health issues.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

I have a bull terrier, in my opinion the most changed breed in the last 50 and even 100 years. I like that this breed is not only being bred for a standard, but it also still developing as a breed. I think it's neat and as long as the selective breeding doesn't cause health problems I am excited to see how they will look in another 50 years.

What I do NOT like is these new "hybrid" dogs. Not bred for any specific purpose other than to make a stupid amount of money off of something that cannot be shown or recognized.

I don't know if it's always been this way either because I am still young, but I also get frustrated when people just breed dogs for the sake of breeding two dogs of the same breed. They don't care if it is an exceptional example of the breed or a poor one, they just think "hey, we have two -enter breed here- let's breed them!" especially when the dogs are young and the people know nothing about the genetic issues their dog may pass on.
I have had so many people come up to me and my NEUTERED dog and say "can you stud your dog with my pitbul/ lab/ bulldog whatever. No!
Also people ask me all the time why I fixed him instead of at least breeding him once and "making my money back".
They do not understand when I tell them that even though he is a gorgeous DOG, he is a poor example of how the breed should be or how they should be progressing.

 

[redhen]

I LOVE some of the new designer dogs!
I have a Goldendoodle... Shes the smartest, sweetest dog ever. I swear that dog could balance my check book... (but i wont let her, cause she'd get into my acct and go shopping for some new squeaky toys and pigs ears....)
My NEXT "mutt" that i am stalking.(

), is a Sheepadoodle. And i'll pay big bucks for it too, if need be. Yep...

Only problem is, i already have the 2 dogs. And dont need another one right now.

But maybe i'll give in come fall when she has another litter...

 

[coreybee]

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I'm actually getting a GSD this fall. I opted to spend the money on an old fashioned german shepherd. They are bred for large size, good temperament and most of all straight backs! There are still a few breeders out there who don't breed to the crappy AKC standard on these dogs.

Many do not know where the AKC Standard comes from..... the National Breed Club. So it's not the AKC who writes the standard, it's the club. As far as the standard creating sloping backlines... according to the AKC Standard for the GSD:

"Topline-- The withers are higher than and sloping into the level back. The back is straight, very strongly developed without sag or roach, and relatively short."

I would say the judges and breeders are the ones NOT adhering to the breed standard, as it clearly states the back should be level and straight. They are breeding to WIN, not to conform to the standard... sad sad. The withers are higher granted, but a sloping shoulder into a level backline is much different than a sloping backline.

I wish the German Shepherd was not such a mess. Before I moved North, I used to herd my dogs with a working German Shepherd. He was a magnificent animal. He was drivey enough for herding but also had enough brains for competition obedience. He did not have the horrible loose joints of the Shepherds I see in shows nearly every weekend. Sometimes I want to shake those judges and ask them why they are putting those dogs up.

 

[verity]

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most everybody 'needs' another dog!

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

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most everybody 'needs' another dog!

I wish you could convince my husband of that!

 

[redhen]

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most everybody 'needs' another dog!

Tis true!!

 

[welsummerchicks]

In some ways veterinary care is better, in some ways worse. In my own situation, I had one vet for about 30 years. he joined a large clinic, and I found I was seeing a different vet each time. There seemed to be a lot of expensive and off-the-mark diagnoses. I was not happy. So I changed to a small country practice with 2 vets. I prefer having one person who is more familiar with the dog and has more time to think about what's going on and what should be done. The vet care has wound up cheaper and better.

There is a trend toward large clinics in the past few years, it doesn't suit me.

As far as dogs changing, no. I've always tried like mad to avoid 'trendy' breeds that go through 'fads' and are not bred for temperament and function, but rather, coat, color or head. I think that has helped me avoid breeds with lots of health problems and poor structure.

structure is extremely important to me. I never want to have another 3 year old dog who can't go hiking or do performance competitions because it has hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia and be told that 50% of the dogs in the breed have those things.

 

[Going Quackers]

My entire life.. Had 'em all, mixed, purebred, small, medium, big ... found, rescued and bought from breeders.. etc.. Breeds? that has changed, only once has the breed doubled.. i find it's easier to have different breeds.. less comparisons..

Vet costs are astronomical, yes care has advanced i mean the lab had laser done for her spaying earlier this year but omg.. it's almost to the point where vet care is for the wealthy and that's not right... I've looked back over what doing basics cost and even in the last 10yrs prices have more than doubled.

I also feel in the purebred world while i get a certain standard of look is desirable it's almost as if personality is taking a back seat, a great looking and proper conformation dog is fabulous but if it's nasty there is a problem

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

I absolutely believe and know dogs have changed. Changed for the better or for worse is a matter of who you are. Dog breeds have conintued to "evolve" and quite quickly. Working dogs such as the GSD, Border Collie, Aussie, ACD, Rotties, Doberman, for examples, are not the dogs today that they should be or were supposed to be. When you take a dog bred to do a real job and take it out of it's element and make it purely a pet you are going to eventually get a dog that cannot do it's normal intended job. It takes only a few generations of puppies to take the work out of a working dog, and to ruin good temperament traits associated with the working functions.