Fidelco Protectiveness?

[Dainerra]

I've seen many people commenting that Fidelco uses GSDs because they will "protect" their owners. I've even heard that it says that on their website.
I did find comments about "keeping them safe"

I know that there are some Fidelco people around here, so anyone care to sit the record straight?

[JakodaCD OA]

protect? as in aggressively protect? Fidelco is about 30 minutes from me, we have puppy raisers in town here, they aren't brought up to "protect" their owners, but as with any gsd you wouldn't know till it happens I suppose.

They "protect" their owners from the everyday things they are supposed to protect them from (walking into traffic for example) but have never heard of one aggressively protecting their owners from say, an attack.

[Rerun]

I could only find this quote:
The Fidelco German shepherd was created from Bavarian stock. It is an outstanding and exclusive product of selective breeding from strong working lines and has evolved to be truly a breed within a breed. Our dogs possess the characteristics of the ideal working guide; intelligence, temperament, stamina and stability.
They are responsible for our clients’ safety at all times. This formidable task requires us to have an uncompromising focus on the quality of the breed, which is a hallmark of the Fidelco shepherd.

Personally, I don't take that to mean protective. I take it to mean exactly what it says - safety. Not to allow their handler to walk in front of a car, or in an open hole on the ground, or into a low hanging sign, etc.

I think you are reading too much into this.

[Dainerra]

No, I afree with you Rerun. That it means to protect them from the things a guide dog always protecvts from.
I just had someone arguing on another forum that they (fidelco) uses GSDs because they are more protective and that other breeds would allow their owner to be robbed or harmed by "bad guys"

[Andaka]

I had heard that one of the reasons that many guide dog schools have gone back to GSDs is that the labs and Goldens let muggers get the handlers. Even if they don't "attack", just the sight of a GSD is usually enough to prevent a mugger.

[JakodaCD OA]

Actually Fidelco just got two Crooked Creek puppies into their program

[elisabeth_00117]

I noticed that Jess had picked two CC pups up.

Wish Jess would post here again so we could get her opinion on this topic.

[JakodaCD OA]

I'm kinda not "with" the quote rerun posted they are from 'bavarian' stock. I haven't kept up with their website so couldn't say.

Back in the day, Fidelco used to breed outside their own dogs. My first gsd was out of a fidelco stud dog, as was Dodge who's father was a retired stud dog used in the Fidelco program.

Not sure what they are breeding now, I have seen a couple of their dogs here in town, (puppy raisers) and they are nice well balanced dogs. Have met a few 'rejects' and again, nothing I'd 'reject' out of my household)

I also know of someone who has a male out of hena-c that Fidelco has shown an interest in breeding to (or so the owner has told me)

Unfortunately Robbie Kaman(sp) who started the program has passed away but her work lives on.

[jocoyn]

I knew some very nice Fidelco dogs that were SAR dogs. I think Marcia Koenig had one, I know Tricia Heldman had one. Very nice dogs. The SAR folks quit getting the "rejcts" because the state police started taking the rejects of both sexes (at the beginning they did not want the females but I think they use them for detection work...not sure....have not chatted with Tricia on it for a few years.

I really gathered that any dog that had working drives suitalbe for police work or detection work were too drivey for their program and it was just part of the breeding that you knew not every puppy was going to be what the program needed.

[Liesje]

Sounds like they have a good thing going if the rejects are doing police work!