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Hi - I'm brand new here. Here is my story. I've had GSDs over the years, and they have all either died of old age or cancer. They were each wonderful, intelligent, beautiful, loyal, protectors of the family. The breed has always been my favorite. Anyway, its been about 20 yrs. since I bought my last GSD and about eight since I lost the last one. One of my last ones was from the Rittergut, Wienerau bloodlines. The other was from Schlulenhaus/Desert Shepherds and mainly German ScHh lines. I like the old fashioned, big boned, big headed, flat backed dogs. I've been looking on the internet, as I feel I'm now finally ready for another Shepherd (didn't think I ever would be - it hurts so much to lose one!) but my problem is I can't seem to find the kind of dog I had before. I guess its the 40s style Shepherd that I like. Also, most of the large old fashioned types I find online are long coats, and I don't want the extra grooming (short Shepherd coats are bad enough, lol!)

So anyway, what my question is: What bloodlines should I be looking for in a modern day Shepherd that fits my above criteria? I keep hearing the American lines run toward shyness and those extremely angulated hocks and roach back, and I definitely don't want that. I hear German and Czech lines are "harder" dogs, have a lot of drive, intelligence and have more of the stocky body type that I'm looking for. German working lines that is, NOT show lines. We need a family pet who will be good with our grandson (who is 5 and is very gentle, being taught how to treat animals), and will protect us, yet not be overly hyper and aggressive. I'm worried that a dog with a lot of drive would be pretty hyper??? An outgoing dog who can hold up to playing with our active, young Great Dane and not be timid, shy, or a potential fear-biter. Also, we love blacks and bi-colors. Is it possible to find a dog such as this without paying over $1,000, since it would probably have to be shipped too? I'd like to find a balance between extremes - not shy and not overly dominant. A female is what we are after, and our Dane is a fairly dominant male. I want her to be able to stand up to him and keep him in line when need be. I'd love to hear any and all opinions on the pros and cons of GSD bloodlines as a family pet. Thank you. By the way, we have a fully fenced (chain link) 2 1/3 acres for the pup/dog to run on!

Randi

I'd look to the GSD breeders that breed for white. Yes, you can believe what you want about white sheperds, but their lines seem to be what you are describing. Not the split off GSDs that are regestered as White German Shepherds, but the white factor ones. Here one link of a club that I know that might be able to help you out:

www.ugsda.org/ourdogs.asp
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

HI!

I know what look you are going for and I like it also. Have you check out our breeder register? Might find one there or might be able to get some questions answered.

http://www.doghobbyist.com/breederregistry/search.php

Cheryl/PHKeeper
Site Coordinator, Rescue & Adoption
Site Coordinator, Dogs, Pethobbyist.com
phkeeper@pethobbyist.com

>>Hi - I'm brand new here. Here is my story. I've had GSDs over the years, and they have all either died of old age or cancer. They were each wonderful, intelligent, beautiful, loyal, protectors of the family. The breed has always been my favorite. Anyway, its been about 20 yrs. since I bought my last GSD and about eight since I lost the last one. One of my last ones was from the Rittergut, Wienerau bloodlines. The other was from Schlulenhaus/Desert Shepherds and mainly German ScHh lines. I like the old fashioned, big boned, big headed, flat backed dogs. I've been looking on the internet, as I feel I'm now finally ready for another Shepherd (didn't think I ever would be - it hurts so much to lose one!) but my problem is I can't seem to find the kind of dog I had before. I guess its the 40s style Shepherd that I like. Also, most of the large old fashioned types I find online are long coats, and I don't want the extra grooming (short Shepherd coats are bad enough, lol!)
>>
>>So anyway, what my question is: What bloodlines should I be looking for in a modern day Shepherd that fits my above criteria? I keep hearing the American lines run toward shyness and those extremely angulated hocks and roach back, and I definitely don't want that. I hear German and Czech lines are "harder" dogs, have a lot of drive, intelligence and have more of the stocky body type that I'm looking for. German working lines that is, NOT show lines. We need a family pet who will be good with our grandson (who is 5 and is very gentle, being taught how to treat animals), and will protect us, yet not be overly hyper and aggressive. I'm worried that a dog with a lot of drive would be pretty hyper??? An outgoing dog who can hold up to playing with our active, young Great Dane and not be timid, shy, or a potential fear-biter. Also, we love blacks and bi-colors. Is it possible to find a dog such as this without paying over $1,000, since it would probably have to be shipped too? I'd like to find a balance between extremes - not shy and not overly dominant. A female is what we are after, and our Dane is a fairly dominant male. I want her to be able to stand up to him and keep him in line when need be. I'd love to hear any and all opinions on the pros and cons of GSD bloodlines as a family pet. Thank you. By the way, we have a fully fenced (chain link) 2 1/3 acres for the pup/dog to run on!
>>
>>Randi

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I would look for a dog from breeding for assistance dog work, also possibly search and rescue. Assistance dogs cannot be aggressive in public, or else even though they otherwise qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act, they are to be required to leave public places such as restaurants, etc. In other words, they basically have to retire. So GSDs bred for this work would be my choice with kids, too. They have to be very stable. Search and rescue dogs are often required to be non-aggressive in order for the SAR group to be able to get insurance, so they also would be some of the better GSDs to be around kids.

You will also need to build in your dog a lot of ability to behave with composure, such as Stay exercises, Settle, conditioning to touch (daily grooming helps with that), and of course with any GSD plenty of training.

$1000 is low for a well bred GSD, and you certainly don't want a poorly bred one. Not only is the rate of hip dysplasia extremely high (probably higher now among casually bred GSDs than it was when you got yours before), but there are a lot of other health and temperament issues that pop up unless the breeder is working diligently to breed away from them

What I would suggest is that you find a good breeder and ask the breeder to work with you on the right young adult dog to meet your needs and be good with children. As a young adult, health and temperament can both be evaluated better, and the price (if any) will be less.

Do keep in mind, though, the high cost of veterinary care, and that providing this care for the dog is part of an owner's duty. Depending on where you live, any illness often winds up costing $200 or so, something moderately serious often $500, and big things easily $1000. Hip dysplasia is very common in GSDs, and means medication as well as possibly surgery. That can run into the thousands. So a poorly bred GSD is not a bargain financially.

Dogs who are not well can be unsafe around kids because they may understandably protect themselves from being bothered. And it's just not humane to let a dog suffer. So make sure there is money for the care.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thanks for the replies! Well, I found a possibility. Let me tell you this dog's bloodlines and you can let me know what you think. Almost EVERY dog in the pedigree is SchH, 1, 2, but mostly 3. I can find just about every dog online, but I'll just mention a few so you have an idea. V Jago von der Lindenhalle, SG Mink vom Haus Wittfeld, Unicum von Terra Fuego, Anschi von der Lindenhalle. . .you get the picture. Would a dog from these lines be too "sharp?" Am I playing with fire? The seller tells me the dog is bred for a stable temperament, and the hips, elbows, health and genetic defects guarantee is for two years. The pup is 11 weeks old, a solid black female. Thanks for any comments.

Randi

Hi Randi,

Consider asking for explicit details about the pup's personality. Has the breeder used any puppy evaluation process? If so, can you see the notes from this specific pup's evaluation? Do you know enough to test the pup yourself if you can go see her at her home? As I understand it, serious performance breeders use evaluations to decide what each pup's strongest temperament traits are: some are strong on chasing, on behaviors that relate to more (or less) dominance, more (or less) general confidence in unfamiliar places or with unfamiliar people, more (or less) willingness to follow and take direction vs. striking off as the lead explorer itself. There's also general sensitivity to touch and pain, to sound, to being startled. I imagine you would want a puppy that was relatively moderate in terms of dominance and sensitivity, and moderate to high in confidence (either cautious or eager about unfamiliar things, but not shy toward them). You get the idea. If the breeder volunteers this kind of information without you feeding too much of this language to him/her, then you can probably feel more comfortable about whether this is the right pup for you.

Best of luck,
Monica

Try looking into GSD breeders associated with United Kennel Club as well. I have seen dogs like you described at UKC conformation shows. Solid black, bi-colors and whites. Most do not look like the typical AKC show dogs; heavier, fuller bodied. A sturdy 'old world' look.

UKC is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan - not the United Kingdom as many people think.

Good luck.

what area are you from?

First and foremost you should look for a breeder you like, trust and breeds responsibly.

Even tho alot of working line breeders are breeding maybe higher enerigized dogs than you are looking for, not ALL in one litter are going to be "little maniacs" )

IF you can find a good breeder, they should be able to match or refer you, with a puppy/dog you can live with. I would also want a breeder who Temperament tests their litters..

I have a DDR/American show lined male, who is the "perfect" dog, however he ain't for sale )
He will go all day long if you ask, or lounge around all day , he can go anywhere into any situation and be "fine" with it, totally sound,

When you get a puppy it's a real crap shoot, what you put into a dog is what you'll get out of them is my motto. BUT it also pays to find a really good breeder.

Here's Dodge: His father is out of this kennel and I love her dogs www.vonhena-c.com

Jakoda, thank you (and everyone else!) for your suggestion! I did end up buying a nearly 6 month old black female pup from a breeder and who's parents are both imported. The dam's side is 100% West German, SchH titles on every dog. The sire's side is DDR/Czech, almost 100%. Just a couple of West German dogs in there. Robby vom Glockeneck is in here, as well as Held vom Ritterberg, Harro aus der Lechrainstadt, (several times) several Karthago dogs, to name a few well knowns. I am very happy with the breeder's attitude, and putting a good home for the dog first. She dropped the price by $200 when I told her we were on-the-fence, and very nervous about spending so much on a dog. By this time we'd been conversing for over two weeks. We couldn't refuse her offer. The pup is 58 pounds, and will be 6 months old in two days. Any guesses as to her mature weight? The breeder says somewhere between 85-100 lbs.

Would love to see pics if you can post them!

As to size, 85-100# for female is way oversized and not really recommended.. Her weight right now sounds about right for her age, and she'll probably level off (or should anyhow) in the 70's to very low 80's.

Keep in mind, the DDR dogs tend to be shorter(altho not out of standard) and stockier (big blocky heads that type of thing),

My czech girl is 26" at the shoulders and long in body and leg,
At her heaviest (and I had her drop a few) she was around 78#. Right now she's around 72 which suits her.

My male DDR, floats around 85" and he is also 26" at the shoulders altho he looks much heavier, he really isn't.

Good luck with her
Diane