German Shepherd Dog Forums - View Single Post

Dainerra · 03-21-2010, 10:20 AM

I think the main complaint is breeder's who say that they are breeding "what the public wants" Sorry, but John Q Public doesn't KNOW what he wants.

"I want a giant GSD like I remember from childhood" umm you do realize that you were 3 feet tall so EVERYTHING looked big to you, right?? My daughter is very petite; a 5 years old she and Rayden could look eye to eye (her standing, him sitting) So should people breed a dog big enough to look her in the eye because that's what she remembers?? At 9, she isn't a lot taller! So when she finally hits a growth spurt, should we breed 5 foot tall GSDs?

"Bigger is better" SUVs, houses, dogs, meals, french fries, soda.. if a little is good, bigger is better, right??

"My dog at home weighs 130lbs" I doubt it. Rayden weighs 83 lbs. Sure he's got a lot of hair so looks bigger, but not that much! Then they tell me "oh he's the same size as my dog at home and HE weighs at least 140" Then people look at Freya and say "OH, she's just a baby, what's she weigh 30-40lbs?" umm wrong again, she weighs 70. Sure she looks delicate and petite beside Rayden, but she's a GIRL. Not to mention that people are used to seeing dogs that look like beer kegs with legs anyway...

"Oh he's beautiful! I want a dog just like him" minus the exercise, training, protectiveness, of course. I want him to love all people and all dogs. I want a dog that acts like a lab, but looks like a GSD. of course, minus the people that act afraid - I don't want anyone afraid of my dog.

"I like smart dogs" no, John Q. Public likes OBEDIENT dogs. smart dogs can be a pain in the rump for the average owner. They need a job or they WILL make their own. and most likely you won't like it.

About schutzhund not testing for the qualities that you want, what is it that you are looking for? (I'm too lazy to go back and read) I want a GSD that is protective. Loyal. Smart. Obedient. Works well with me. Has an off-switch. All of those are easily tested for with schutzhund. Though it's not the titles themselves, but the knowledge of the person working the dog that I want to hear.
I see ads in the paper all the time for GSDs. "Great pets. beautiful colors" "old fashioned" "giant" "quiet and gentle" All they want is a dollar. I've seen some of the dogs that they are selling. They barely look like shepherds! but, people buy them by the dozens because thats "what the public wants"

The public wants a cheap, no training/housebreaking/work required dog. One who's hair will match the furniture. That magically knows if the person about to knock on the door is Aunt Betty that hasn't visited in 20 years or an annoying vacuum salesman. That loves everyone and every animal. But is scary and will eat bad people. But that everyone else would NEVER be afraid of.
and then, of course, you don't want the dog to herd the cat. or the running screaming kids.

I don't mind people who breed over-sized GSDs that ARE GSDs. People like Doc who are breeding what THEY believe that a GSD should be.

I DO mind people who are breeding huge dogs that mostly look like GSDs. but don't act like them. And the only reason they are doing it is because they sell.

03-21-2010, 10:20 AM	#413 (permalink)
Dainerra Crowned Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: N. Central Arkansas Posts: 4,306	I think the main complaint is breeder's who say that they are breeding "what the public wants" Sorry, but John Q Public doesn't KNOW what he wants. "I want a giant GSD like I remember from childhood" umm you do realize that you were 3 feet tall so EVERYTHING looked big to you, right?? My daughter is very petite; a 5 years old she and Rayden could look eye to eye (her standing, him sitting) So should people breed a dog big enough to look her in the eye because that's what she remembers?? At 9, she isn't a lot taller! So when she finally hits a growth spurt, should we breed 5 foot tall GSDs? "Bigger is better" SUVs, houses, dogs, meals, french fries, soda.. if a little is good, bigger is better, right?? "My dog at home weighs 130lbs" I doubt it. Rayden weighs 83 lbs. Sure he's got a lot of hair so looks bigger, but not that much! Then they tell me "oh he's the same size as my dog at home and HE weighs at least 140" Then people look at Freya and say "OH, she's just a baby, what's she weigh 30-40lbs?" umm wrong again, she weighs 70. Sure she looks delicate and petite beside Rayden, but she's a GIRL. Not to mention that people are used to seeing dogs that look like beer kegs with legs anyway... "Oh he's beautiful! I want a dog just like him" minus the exercise, training, protectiveness, of course. I want him to love all people and all dogs. I want a dog that acts like a lab, but looks like a GSD. of course, minus the people that act afraid - I don't want anyone afraid of my dog. "I like smart dogs" no, John Q. Public likes OBEDIENT dogs. smart dogs can be a pain in the rump for the average owner. They need a job or they WILL make their own. and most likely you won't like it. About schutzhund not testing for the qualities that you want, what is it that you are looking for? (I'm too lazy to go back and read) I want a GSD that is protective. Loyal. Smart. Obedient. Works well with me. Has an off-switch. All of those are easily tested for with schutzhund. Though it's not the titles themselves, but the knowledge of the person working the dog that I want to hear. I see ads in the paper all the time for GSDs. "Great pets. beautiful colors" "old fashioned" "giant" "quiet and gentle" All they want is a dollar. I've seen some of the dogs that they are selling. They barely look like shepherds! but, people buy them by the dozens because thats "what the public wants" The public wants a cheap, no training/housebreaking/work required dog. One who's hair will match the furniture. That magically knows if the person about to knock on the door is Aunt Betty that hasn't visited in 20 years or an annoying vacuum salesman. That loves everyone and every animal. But is scary and will eat bad people. But that everyone else would NEVER be afraid of. and then, of course, you don't want the dog to herd the cat. or the running screaming kids. I don't mind people who breed over-sized GSDs that ARE GSDs. People like Doc who are breeding what THEY believe that a GSD should be. I DO mind people who are breeding huge dogs that mostly look like GSDs. but don't act like them. And the only reason they are doing it is because they sell.