Large GSD Breeders in New England.

[Kevlar55]

Are there any Large GSD breeders in the New England area.
I'm looking for a straight backed German shepard, not the show type.

Thanks, Kevin.

[Lucy Dog]

What do you mean large GSD breeders? Do you mean like a big commercial breeder or a breeder that breeds x-large dogs?

If you're talking about the size of the dog, personally, I'd never ever buy from a breeder who breeds specifically for a large size. Purposely breeding outside of the standard is a big no no.

So, you don't want a show line, that leaves the working lines. Any specific lines? DDR? West German? Czech?

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

What do you mean large GSD breeders? Do you mean like a big commercial breeder or a breeder that breeds x-large dogs?

Or a breeder who is a very large person?

[Lucy Dog]

Or a large breeder with a large breeding facility that breeds giant dogs. Does anyone know anyone like that?!?

[Freestep]

Kevin, modern German working lines generally have straight backs. Stay away from breeders who use terms like "old-fashioned large straight backed German Shepherds." These people are breeding dogs outside the standard. The upper end of the standard is about 90 lb. (for males).

The old GSD from the beginnings of the breed were NOT large dogs. Anyone who says differently is either ignorant, or a liar. Niether of which you should buy a puppy from.

Health and temperament should be the most important thing, not size! Hopefully some folks here can direct you toward a reputable breeder in your area.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Freestep

Kevin, modern German working lines generally have straight backs. Stay away from breeders who use terms like "old-fashioned large straight backed German Shepherds." These people are breeding dogs outside the standard. The upper end of the standard is about 90 lb. (for males).

The old GSD from the beginnings of the breed were NOT large dogs. Anyone who says differently is either ignorant, or a liar. Niether of which you should buy a puppy from.

Health and temperament should be the most important thing, not size! Hopefully some folks here can direct you toward a reputable breeder in your area.

You really need to trace back the history of all the dogs that make upthe foundation of this breed. You might be surprised to find large dogs in the genetics - particularly in the Swabian/Wurtemberger dogs.

Even today in some litters you will get get pups that grow up and are larger than the Standard. Gentics and how they combine has a great deal to do with size, weight, and structure.

[Lucy Dog]

Doc... breeding extra large dogs for the sole purpose to produce extra large puppies and using that as your marketing scheme vs. a larger than the standard dog popping in litters due to it's genetics are two completely different things. I have zero doubt you already knew that.

We've all had this discussion plenty of times before and I'm sure you've been part of them. Do we really need to do this again?

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

Doc... breeding extra large dogs for the sole purpose to produce extra large puppies and using that as your marketing scheme vs. a larger than the standard dog popping in litters due to it's genetics are two completely different things. I have zero doubt you already knew that.

We've all had this discussion plenty of times before and I'm sure you've been part of them. Do we really need to do this again?

I only answered because of the editorial comment given in the post I quoted. I am sure that people who stick to the standard have produced over the Standard pups in their litters. It's genetics - not a marketing scheme any morre than someone making statements about the nerve, structure, color, etc. when they are trying to sell pups.

I submit if you keep restricting breeding to dogs that are within the Standard, you are contributing to the genetic bottle and health issues found in this breed. The same goes for eliminating certain dogs based on color, i.e. blue and liver. Afterall, those genes came from some German shepherd years ago.

It's funny that once someone asked for a larger than the standard German shepherd, the almighty German shepherd standard is the first thing thrown at the op. And heaven forbid if someone asked for a blue, white, or liver color.

[Lucy Dog]

Why even stick to GSD's if that's the case? Forget the almighty standard... forget color, size, temperament, and even breed. Let's start mixing breeds and calling them hybrids (which for some, already do).

Where do you think we should draw the line since we are all stuck in this genetic bottle?

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by Doc

It's funny that once someone asked for a larger than the standard German shepherd, the almighty German shepherd standard is the first thing thrown at the op.

Um, well... yeah?

Did you make that comment seriously, or tongue in cheek?

If we didn't have a breed standard, we wouldn't have German Shepherds.

Of course certain individuals will be larger than others. That doesn't mean we ought to take the biggest ones and breed them to each other, in order to create a line of oversized GSD. What is the point of that?

When a breeder chooses size over health and temperament, that's exactly what they get. There are plenty of larger dog breeds out there if someone wants a giant dog. I think Shiloh and King Shepherds are breeds that were founded with oversize GSDs (along with other breeds) and those breeders will be proud to tell you how heavy their dogs are!