well I have to admit , as I have done so before , that I just do not know enough about Czech bred lines , nor with all my tenacious attempts to get facts , fail to any . When Czech pedigrees come up for discussion the discussion tends to end . Cliff provides information via PM's which is a shame as the information is never brought out to the light to be examined , accepted, challenged , corrected.
Personally having owned a few Czech imports , and blends including Cherokee v d Wolfen . I did not see anything super special . Definitely not the genetic obedience part being so willing and available to work / anticipate in co operation . More commando type - give an order and they will do it . The keen thinking required of a herding dog was just not there . Historically and genetically they were not chosen for herding genetics , so selection determined results , much as selection for show determines results. In the case of the Czech dogs the selection was still for a positive work dog , no compromises there .
What chocked me was the accelerated aging . Side by side with one of mine , a 12 year old "mine" looked and acted (s) (still with us) younger and brighter than a 6 or 7 year old "Czech" dog .
Same diet , same environment . Like looking at time lapse photography. Got me puzzled to the point where I had deep discussions with a research scientist friend specializing in genetics , epi-genetics (the external forces which create a gene response which can be passed on through generations)contributor to genomic studies, and working on telomeres which determine longevity. He came up with an interesting speculation. He wondered if Chernobyl and the wide casting radiation could have damaged genetic material .
Experiences , rambling , lot to cover.
People would look at a pedigree , example my Case , mother of Gus and others (PSDs)
Carmspack Case . They see Xero Pohranicni Straze and then say she , Case , is a nice Czech dog. NO. Even the sire of Case, Iwo , has little Czech as Xero himself has linebreeding on great DDR lines - which bring in Bernd Lierberg through the Himpel breeding , and Bushecke and Stephanstal (tracking!)
Gomo vom Schieferschloß more DDR on the Grim , Xero sire side.
When I bought Iwo I was particularly interested in his dam and her genetics , having followed that litter combination . Blenda's "brother" (repeat litter) Tarek was KNPV met lof ---- at a young age - with a large point margin over the second place ... consistently , and he was a working police dog of note in New Jersey , and a stunningly good looking dog. The Blenda pedigree brought in some tough , rugged , dogs . Exactly what I am interested in .
so Iwo , genetic obedience - nah -- new category -- butt head . Even so his first generation progeny had it and second generation represented by NICHOLAS had it in spades -- glaringly obvious - Nick and his brother and again all 3 in a repeat of Nicholas . high thresholds , not an ounce of handler aggression or nerviness -- body and attitude like a brick outhouse . Nothing would shake this dog . Prey drive -- oh brother -- no ball / play whatsoever - no rag , no tug . Had power-decoy address him - high threshold , and then bango- who woke you up dog. Full , hard , from the core . On , then off . Never had any health issues whatsoever (which I expect) , not one soft stool , even after digging up chicken carcasses we had to bury after a power failure , extended time in record breaking heat wave --(city garbage would not take it) . Not so much as a burp!
Always looked polished and buff . remember this for later -- Tested him on a female , my breeding so very familiar with the pedigree in many dimensions - hoo - good results !!! and the combination has never failed even as we depart from this combination .
LSatovs female Journey shares this pedigree
Carmspack Sumo where you can see Iwo layered in twice , and new Czech lines through Colin Malemi who also goes back to some olde ddr faves.
So having used Iwo strategically and having sons and daughters to carry on with I placed him with good friend and long time GSD person , Sheena of FraserGlen GSD . There he became more of a house-dog enjoying the company of the two resident GSD's . Perfect health, sired a good litter
Fraserglens Moto . Then I get a call - dog is suddenly unwell -- days later deceased , inspite of all efforts , hemangiosarcoma -- no warning , no intervention would have had a different outcome. That was a heart breaker.
The Cherokee Wolfen dog ---
Shepherd Glen K9 - German Shepherd Breeder - Cherokee x
Shepherd Glen K9 - German Shepherd Breeder - Fani --- came to me with a BH , Brevet and SchH ready --- lot of problems - which I put to training and too early SPORT conditioning --- handler aggressive - you had to watch yourself , low thresholds, easily stimulated , not so clear , took aggression far to much into play , but it wasn't play ! had hard time settling . Very dog aggressive . Small dogs were quarry , and even male GSD were attacked . I did not expose my dogs to her after that . Very vigilant management . Although I paid well for this female I never bred her -
Blitz , the one thing that I would recommend to you is to take a break from sport development with your dog and let him/her age out a bit first .