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by Keith Grossman on 30 April 2011 - 23:04
Wow...I can certainly understand why you and I might interpret "stable temperament" differently.
by Gustav on 01 May 2011 - 02:05
by Rik on 01 May 2011 - 08:05
Gustav, in all honesty, it is the GSD I like. Not w/l or s/l. I have made many comments on conformation and showing because it is the experience I have.
I quit the American Show Shepherd because I could not get past the short cuts that must be taken to get to the front of the line, in both character and health. And these shortcuts will be taken anytime competition is involved, whether it is show or sport.
I have no real work for a GSD to do. I do have my own set of requirements for a dog I own. It must be safe in all situations, it must not embaress me by it's character and it must have a conformation that is pleasing to me and how I interpret the standard. If I was LEO or military, my requirements would be different.
I jumped into the German dogs with no understanding of w/l or s/l. The first two I bought were s/l and the last was a Javir daughter. She had bad luck and I lost her, but I felt she was the closet to GSD perfection that I had come too. I'm not going to argue w/l vs. s/l, I'm just going to say that is my experience and anyone can TIFWIW and what it cost.
Sorry for the length and at the expense of offending some, I will say what I have always said. Put the damn dog on a leash and let the dog speak for itself. If it's a GSD, people will recognize.
Rik
by Gustav on 01 May 2011 - 12:05
@ Rik, I was just commenting on your perspective that you have given in the past....I like GS of all kinds also if they represent the breed. I could care less about color and actually the name Gustav is the name of my Narcotic Contraband Dog in the military many years ago. BTW, he was black and red!! Loved that Dog!! I just call them the way I see them....if the average WGSL I see today had his temperament, and would produce it consistently....I would have one today. He was gorgeous!! But it is very hard to get a dog that looks like him and works like him today....even harder to find one of this ilk that produces it consistently....and there is a genetic reason and because of money and greed people won't do what it takes to correct it(Infuse new lines and blood into these dogs), so it is what it is. Furthermore, the dogs I have today have the temperament to do anything, AND the conformation of the Marko vom Cellerlands, Bernd v Lierberg, Mutz v d Peltzerferm....which to me is as good as it get in stucture for a working dog. Take care Rik!
by Rik on 01 May 2011 - 15:05
The reality is that I'm playing at a hobby. Many here are doing the same, only the hobby may be show or sport. As long as I'm just playing, there is quite a bit of leeway for my own preferences.
The people depending on the GSD for their life, do not have this leeway. The dog must first be able to perform the duties required of it. I doubt there is a soldier anywhere who has avoided walking into a bomb, standing there thinking "Damn, that dog could use a little more front".
just call me,
Rambling Rik
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