Larger than normal German Shepherds

[Cmac25]

I have read online that there are breeders who specialize in breeding larger german shepherds that are in the weight range of 100-140 lbs. How can I find a breeder like this?

[MaggieRoseLee]

As long as you realize they aren't breeding GSD's the way GSD's are supposed to be (they aren't Great Danes/St Bernards) so know what you are getting into. Kind of like saying 'I love Chihuahua's but they are too small, do you know where there are ones that weigh 50 pounds?

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[Lesley1905]

I agree with Maggie! I think its rediculous what people are making these beautiful dogs turn into. I have a friend who has a GSD that is 135lbs. Even her vet tell her that they shouldn't be that big!

[sagelfn]

Agree with MRL

If you decide to go this route I would contact this breeder http://www.east-coast-gsd.net/

[RogueRed26]

Anything that doesn't fit the breed's standard should be questioned. Shepherds have some health issues as it is, now imagine a dig intentionally bred to be heavier. I am foretelling health issues, especially with those hips and joints.

[Rei]

Originally Posted by RogueRed26

Anything that doesn't fit the breed's standard should be questioned.

That is interesting. My German Shepherd has a steep croup, stands east west, is cow hocked, and also possesses several other faults, which means that he does not conform perfectly to the breed's standard. I guess he should be questioned, too (even though most people seem to define his breeder as quite "reputable", he comes from SCHH1 KKL1 dam and IPO3 VPG3 sire).

[RogueRed26]

Originally Posted by Rei

That is interesting. My German Shepherd has a steep croup, stands east west, is cow hocked, and also possesses several other faults, which means that he does not conform perfectly to the breed's standard. I guess he should be questioned, too (even though most people seem to define his breeder as quite "reputable", he comes from SCHH1 KKL1 dam and IPO3 VPG3 sire).

This is why some dogs are meant to be companions. We breed to perfect the breed, not incorporate unwanted faults. Overweight shepherds should not be counted as the standard. Any breeder that advertises and breeds shepherds for attaining abnormal height and weight standards SHOULD be questioned. If someone wants am extra LARGE German shepherd, they should be looking into another breed that falls into that height and weight scale, like a Saint Bernard or Great Pyrenees.

Just because your dog does not fit the standard, does not make him any less of a companion. I was not attacking your dog, but you seem to have made it personal. Every dog should have an appropriate and loving home, flaws and all, but wouldn't it be great if BYB would just stop for once producing dogs that do not fit the bill for passing on their genes, thus reducing or stopping the surplus of unwanted pets because of behavioral and health issues.

[Konotashi]

German shepherds are supposed to be a medium breed, though, not a large breed.

They're already the poster child for HD, so why try to breed them to be bigger and worsen the problem? :/
Just be wary of 'bigger' GSD breeders.

[Rei]

Originally Posted by RogueRed26

This is why some dogs are meant to be companions. We breed to perfect the breed, not incorporate unwanted faults. Overweight shepherds should not be counted as the standard. Any breeder that advertises and breeds shepherds for attaining abnormal height and weight standards SHOULD be questioned. If someone wants am extra LARGE German shepherd, they should be looking into another breed that falls into that height and weight scale, like a Saint Bernard or Great Pyrenees.

Just because your dog does not fit the standard, does not make him any less of a companion. I was not attacking your dog, but you seem to have made it personal. Every dog should have an appropriate and loving home, flaws and all, but wouldn't it be great if BYB would just stop for once producing dogs that do not fit the bill for passing on their genes, thus reducing or stopping the surplus of unwanted pets because of behavioral and health issues.

Don't worry, I'm not making it personal I have my own beliefs and ideals, and you have yours. That is not a problem with me. But blanket statements such as those without elaboration always spark my curiosity.

My boy's sire does not conform perfectly to standard. He may even be over the standard as far as height, I remember him being a large dog. My boy's dam also does not conform perfectly to standard, she has a steep croup and I do believe she stands slightly east west. My dog got his physical faults from his parents. Neither are the ideal as far as conformation.

Do you believe I got my dog from a "BYB", as you say? Should they not have been bred?

Originally Posted by sagelfn

Agree with MRL

If you decide to go this route I would contact this breeder http://www.east-coast-gsd.net/

I second this recommendation. He is also a member of this message board, with a wealth of knowledge regarding breeding, health, and the history of German Shepherds.

[AbbyK9]

That is interesting. My German Shepherd has a steep croup, stands east west, is cow hocked, and also possesses several other faults, which means that he does not conform perfectly to the breed's standard. I guess he should be questioned, too (even though most people seem to define his breeder as quite "reputable", he comes from SCHH1 KKL1 dam and IPO3 VPG3 sire).

I think what RogueRed meant was that when you see a breeding program that is purposely producing dogs that are outside of the standard - whether that is by size or, for example, by color or conformation - that's something you should take a second look at before you buy from that breeder.

If your dog came from titled parents and just got a genetically flawed deck of cards (so to speak), that's a different matter. Now if you took your dog and said, "He stands east-west and I like this trait, so I am going to see if I can breed a line of dogs that all stand east-west," then that's something that should be questioned. Not the dog itself but the program that is built around the dog(s) and the goals with which they are producing (specific traits - oversized, disqualified colors, for example).