US bred German Shepherds and bad hips

[Roanoke6370]

My sister who has experience with military working dogs (MWD) says that the imports are the only safe bet for GSDs, the US bread in the slant because "it looks cool" and therefore the Military imports all of their dogs. I myself am looking into a Dutch Shepard for personal protection, the fight of a Malinois with an off switch.

 

[Roanoke6370]

BEAUTIFUL dogs all of you !!!

 

[Malo83]

My shadow

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted by spasm3
Mine.



Looks about like ours.

 

[Ws6]

Originally Posted by BMWTurboDzl
Anyone have experience with this breed? I'd swear that the majority of these dogs are walking around on bad hips because the AKC standard discourages dogs with a "square back" vs "sloped back". I really like the breed, always wanted one, had great experience with one as a really young kid, and it breaks my heart to see these dogs in that kind of shape

Rant over...

I, too, am disgusted for identical reasons.

If you want a GSD, buy from known certified working dogs. NOT the mutilated show lines.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted by Malo83
My shadow

No doubt that the cat in the background runs the show.

 

[grampi]

I thought all large dog breeds were susceptible to having hip problems?

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted by grampi
I thought all large dog breeds were susceptible to having hip problems?


Yes, arthritis. But a lot of Shepard's have hip dysplasia.

 

[riklyn]

I showed GSD for several years, a few AKC Champions and obedience title holders. Got into the German imports and Schutzhund the last few years. Had the Southeastern Siegerin in 2011. She passed away last year and never had any health issues until the end.

HD is a problem. a good breeder should be able to show you several generations of HD and elbow certification. Elbow dysplasia is pretty much as common as HD and just as devastating.

over 40 years, I only had a couple with HD, but I absolutely would not touch anything that wasn't several generations HD/ED free, and it can still crop up.

personally, I will never own another American/Can. show line. there are other issues. I prefer the German/Czech working line, but the old saying is "puppies are a crap shoot" is very true.

a good breeder will also offer a replacement health guarantee , but that doesn't help a lot after the dog has your heart.

 

[Malo83]

Originally Posted by BMWTurboDzl
Originally Posted by Malo83
My shadow

No doubt that the cat in the background runs the show.

When we brought the dog home as a puppy they hit it off right away, on their first meeting he was hesitant but she walked up to him sniffed him and started rubbing against him, the rest is history.