"Old Bloodlines?'

Emoore · 05-01-2011, 06:45 PM

This is probably a really stupid question.

I see several breeders saying that they breed the "old bloodlines." This is confusing to me. I'm assuming that their puppies' parents or grandparents aren't dogs that were around 40 or 50 years ago, because those dogs are dead and they didn't have the technology to freeze semen or embryos back then. Just because of the reproductive lifespan of GSDs, their dogs have to be many generations removed from the '50s or '40s or whatever else you consider the golden age of GSDs-- just like everybody else's bloodlines are.

If these are bloodlines that have been kept "pure" and free from influx of new blood since back then, I'm not so sure that's a good thing genetically.

So what makes them "old?"

cliffson1 · 05-01-2011, 08:47 PM

Technically, the way you describe it there are no "old bloodlines".

Emoore · 05-01-2011, 10:03 PM

Then what do people mean when they say, "I'm breeding dogs from the old bloodlines?" It confuses me. But I'm easy to confuse.

Fast · 05-02-2011, 01:05 AM

I think it's just a way for breeders to hype their breeding or lines as being different or something rare. Just a bunch of sales hype and a way for people to make their dogs special.

"Come to me. I'm the only one with rare magic beans."

cliffson1 · 05-02-2011, 09:15 AM

This term "old bloodlines" often refers to direct descent back to older lines, and the key being, retaining the type of those lines. Of course if you were not familar with these "type" dogs of the particular era you are referencing, its kinda of deceiving to really advertise this and know you are breeding true to this. But there are some older breeders that are breeding the type dogs consistent with dogs of 40,50 years ago. Not many of these people left, but some. I smile when I see a thirty year old using the terms "old bloodlines" less they are continuing what their family has started years before. JMO

Whiteshepherds · 05-02-2011, 10:21 AM

I think it can be confusing too and agree with whoever said it's sometimes used as advertising hype.

The only site I've seen that tries to explain what they mean when they use the term, is Rin Tin Tin kennels. They say they're one of the oldest continuous bloodlines. (107 years)

Whether you agree with the type of dogs they produce structurally, or question if the temperament has remained true to type, (and how would any of us really know unless we knew the original dogs from the line?) it's an interesting read and gives a better understanding of why at least one breeder uses the term.

RIN TIN TIN Story

Fast · 05-02-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffson1

This term "old bloodlines" often refers to direct descent back to older lines, and the key being, retaining the type of those lines.

So why use the term Old Bloodlines? It's no the blood that's old it's the type. Why not "Old Fashioned" or "Old type"?

gagsd · 05-02-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast

So why use the term Old Bloodlines? It's no the blood that's old it's the type. Why not "Old Fashioned" or "Old type"?

Because those are big and hairy

!

Not to mention "old-fashioned" makes me think of my favorite Dunkin Donuts doughnut!

Mrs.K · 05-02-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast

So why use the term Old Bloodlines? It's no the blood that's old it's the type. Why not "Old Fashioned" or "Old type"?

I guess it's because old-fashioned is already "mis-used" by the "bigger is better" type of breeders. If you'd tell me that you have old-fashioned GSD's than I'd already have a picture of a grossly overweight, superbig out of standard German Shepherd.

Doc · 05-02-2011, 11:32 AM

Old bloodline, old fashion, old world, type German shepherd example from Stephanitz's book:

A "Swabian" shepherd dog - part of the foundational bloodline of the German shepherd dog.

And yes, as Cliff said, there are breeders still around breeding dogs like this.

05-01-2011, 06:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,214	"Old Bloodlines?' This is probably a really stupid question. I see several breeders saying that they breed the "old bloodlines." This is confusing to me. I'm assuming that their puppies' parents or grandparents aren't dogs that were around 40 or 50 years ago, because those dogs are dead and they didn't have the technology to freeze semen or embryos back then. Just because of the reproductive lifespan of GSDs, their dogs have to be many generations removed from the '50s or '40s or whatever else you consider the golden age of GSDs-- just like everybody else's bloodlines are. If these are bloodlines that have been kept "pure" and free from influx of new blood since back then, I'm not so sure that's a good thing genetically. So what makes them "old?" __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

05-01-2011, 10:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,214	Then what do people mean when they say, "I'm breeding dogs from the old bloodlines?" It confuses me. But I'm easy to confuse. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

05-02-2011, 01:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
Fast Master Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 820	I think it's just a way for breeders to hype their breeding or lines as being different or something rare. Just a bunch of sales hype and a way for people to make their dogs special. "Come to me. I'm the only one with rare magic beans." __________________ My dog has no magical drives Last edited by Fast; 05-02-2011 at 01:09 AM.

05-02-2011, 10:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
Whiteshepherds Knighted Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northeastern Connecticut Posts: 2,771	I think it can be confusing too and agree with whoever said it's sometimes used as advertising hype. The only site I've seen that tries to explain what they mean when they use the term, is Rin Tin Tin kennels. They say they're one of the oldest continuous bloodlines. (107 years) Whether you agree with the type of dogs they produce structurally, or question if the temperament has remained true to type, (and how would any of us really know unless we knew the original dogs from the line?) it's an interesting read and gives a better understanding of why at least one breeder uses the term. RIN TIN TIN Story __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Harley-WS 4-23-07 Annie-WS 10-18-07 RIP Dakota - WGSD 1995-2007

05-01-2011, 08:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
cliffson1 Knighted Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,929	Technically, the way you describe it there are no "old bloodlines".

05-02-2011, 09:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
cliffson1 Knighted Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,929	This term "old bloodlines" often refers to direct descent back to older lines, and the key being, retaining the type of those lines. Of course if you were not familar with these "type" dogs of the particular era you are referencing, its kinda of deceiving to really advertise this and know you are breeding true to this. But there are some older breeders that are breeding the type dogs consistent with dogs of 40,50 years ago. Not many of these people left, but some. I smile when I see a thirty year old using the terms "old bloodlines" less they are continuing what their family has started years before. JMO

05-02-2011, 11:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
Doc Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,605	Old bloodline, old fashion, old world, type German shepherd example from Stephanitz's book: A "Swabian" shepherd dog - part of the foundational bloodline of the German shepherd dog. And yes, as Cliff said, there are breeders still around breeding dogs like this.

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