Why should only titled German Shepherd's be bred?

[Germanshepherdlova]

Why is it that every time a person comes on this forum and says that they want to breed their dog they are asked the same question.....What titles does your dog have? German Shepherds don't have to be titled to make great companions and pets. As long as the dog is healthy, has good hips, and a great temperament why is the title so important? Not every one is looking for a dog to send into competitions or shows. As a matter of fact the average GSD owner is just looking for an awesome new friend.

I have always wandered about the mentality of only titled dogs breeding on this forum, but today I dare to ask...why is this mandatory according to many people on this forum?

[crisp]

Because titles are a way to prove and measure the termperament and other factors of the dog. Otherwise its just someones word.

[Jax08]

Titling is a way of determining if the dog has the temperament, drives, intelligence to be breeding stock worthy. There are a couple of breeders on here that do NOT title their dogs but their dogs ARE working dogs that go into such lines as police work. Those dogs are tested by their working ability.

It's not that only dogs that are titled are breed worthy. It's that not all pets are! Everyone loves their dog. I adore mine. No way is she breed worthy. She's fear aggressive towards other dogs. A bit of a prey monster. Scared to death of a freaking fly swatter! Can you imagine her herding sheep in a thunderstorm?! Then these traits get passed down and multiply by breeding to other wonderful, beloved pets with similar traits and then you have a dog that will bite anything that comes across it's path.

Is titling required? No. Maybe the question should be "How have you worked your dog to determine if their qualities should be passed on?"

And to be quite honest...most of the people asking those questions are NOT breeders. They are people who have seen others ask the question and just keep passing it on because that's what they think should be asked. It's how internet experts are created.

[Liesje]

For one, it is mandatory in Germany under the breed's parent club. Whether that should be so is up for debate, but, just sayin'.....

For me personally, I can't just take someone's word for it that because a dog is a great pet and has a good temperament means it is a sound, working dog. Now there are some people that I do trust to make such an assessment, but all those people are out there training and working (and generally titling) their dogs.

[doggiedad]

this isn't exclusive to GSD's (Germansherdlova).

[QUOTE=crisp;2217522]Because titles are a way to prove and measure the termperament and other factors of the dog. Otherwise its just someones word.[/QUOTE]

[I_LOVE_MY_MIKKO]

First, I agree with the reasons everyone has stated so far.
Second, while it's true that most people are looking for a pet when getting a GSD, a GSD is a working dog. Without the good breeders breeding proven working dogs, the working aspect of a GSD could disappear, which IMO would be very sad.

[Greydusk]

I don't have a titled dog, I adopted him, don't know if his parents were titled or not. What I do know is he's not something that should be bred. There are certain traits that are synonymous with a GSD. Titles or working the dog in some way show that the dog has those traits.

If you don't want those traits, don't get a GSD. I got my dog because he had the personality to fit in with my lifestyle, not because he was a German Shepherd.

If I want a working dog to do a task, I'm going to go to a breeder who's dogs do those things. If I just want a pet, I'm going to the shelter.

[brembo]

Titled dogs have a history, a proven track record. It's offers a resource with which a dog's potential can be somewhat foretold. It helps in giving that "leg up" on avoiding genetic issues. In short, it's a way to stack the deck with desired traits.

There are already too many dogs, so so many get euthed in the US. Why go and breed unknowns in hopes that the offspring is something that people will want? Best to take known entities and increase chances that the pups will be a viable "product" and will all get good homes and not end up in the pound.

Breeding NEEDS to be done by people with experience. Again it increases the chances that the pups will end up in a permanent home with excellent future prospects.

Leave the breeding to the pros. Need a companion? Breed rescues are everywhere (because people DIDN'T leave it to the pros). It's a rare day you'll find a papered and titled GSD in a shelter, as proper breeders will take their dogs back at any time.

[Scarlettsmom]

If you rescue a GSD because someone before you was unable to care for him/her, you have virtually no way to find out the "title"...so you are left with your own judgement as to whether or not the dog is a good fit for you. Also, they are almost always spayed/neutered, so breeding is no longer a concern, so a title is not an issue either.

If you want a puppy, then I suppose title is more important. I can see how it would be more important to know where your dog came from. I never gave it much thought before.

[Mrs.K]

Honestly, a title says nothing about a dogs temperament. You wouldn't believe how many of the crappiest GSD's are titled and bred and produce yet again, more crappy dogs.

You wouldn't believe how many dogs are absolutely handler and dog aggressive, yet they are titled and get bred.

Dogs that you would NEVER wanted to see in a breeding program.

If you don't know the dog personally, never seen it work, never seen it interacting with other dogs and people, it's just a titled and says absolutely nothing about the dogs personality and/or temperament. All it says is that somebody has taken the time to train that dog.