I don't want the GSD people to think I'm trying to exploit weaknesses in their breed to down the GSD. I don't have experience with the GSD except for the helping with training of some. I have been considering getting a czech line GSD in the future, but I am terrified as hell to get a GSD period. Since I have been on this web forum, I have seen constant illness after the other. With people talking about medications like their talking about an 80yr old AIDS patient. The breeds I have owned and been involved with are not known for multiple health problems, and aside from Pano, I haven't experienced the vast array of health problems that it seems the GSD people are dealing with. Whats really scary is the text in which they talk about the various problems and how their dog was on this medication and that medication like it's absolutely normal <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> My question is, is this a misconception I have drawn up? and if the rampantness does exist, if it's like this in the working world, how much worse is the showline GSD? Again, I'm not attempting to down the GSD, as I myself am contemplating getting a male Czech line in the future, but needless to say I am being scared away, I don't know if my money is long enough to handle a GSD.
~CHRIS DUHON

Chris,
Remember this is a GSD oriented board, and people post here ranging from National lvl SchH handlers to pet owners. You're going to see a wide range of discussion regarding dogs that vary from nicely bred competitive dogs with great pedigree's to dogs that came from a puppy mill, and every thing in between.
And take into account the number of GSD's vs. the number of Mals. When Mal numbers equal GSD numbers, I think you'll see a lot more discussion about health problems.

Just my opinion...... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hi Chris,
What happened to my GSD may have happened to my maltese also, the use of Flea & Tick spray by Sargeants was a "man made mistake". My maltese also suffered the seizures which started around the same time my GSD's started... Now, since this board is for GSD I didn't mention the Maltese in the article. (She did not last long before we had to put her down due to the complications.) It is heart breaking but we lost both dogs.

We have acquired another GSD from working lines and will continue with this breed and the sport. We feel it is a superior breed and one that can be enjoyed, not just owned to become a couch potatoe.

So, don't be afraid to own a GSD they are no more costly than any other breed. Medical things can happen in all breeds.

The Working GSD is a dog you can have fun with and truely enjoy your companionship/relationship. Plus you get to meet nice people along the way with which you instantly have a common bond.

"SCHUTZHUND IS THE FAST GROWING SPORT FOR WOMEN OF ALL AGES"... LUV IT!!!

---

CATCH YA LATER,

MARSHA MAE A

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QXnrzOQLDp0jhgxO3Fqs1w?feat=directlink

Sure, we are all aware I think of the health problems with GSD's. The same problem you see with any popular breed thanks to lousy breeders. But that doesn't mean you can't feel comfortable getting one from a reputable breeder, like Ed, or Triple Crown, etc.

There's also probably some perception to it also. As Will said, this is a board for discussing problems, and most of the people here own GSD's, so logically...

Another thing is that a GSD, as opposed to a Mal, is more likely to be owned by an amateur like me, and that can lead to a lot of over anxious health questions being asked. Add to that the problem with amateurs feeding lousy foods, dousing their GSD's in pesticide every month, and believing their vet when they diagnose everything as a food allergy, and you end up with a lot of permanently medicated pups. My point being that someone like you, who would research the breeder, who feeds and cares for his pups right and who knows when and when not to question his vet, would probably not see a lot of the problems you see here.

Sorry Marsha - I didn't see your post before I replied, so please don't take my pesticide comment as a reference to your situation. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I appreciate the responses. My next question is are there GSD bloodlines out there, that have thrown consistancy as far as great or above average health is concerned? I can tell you inside and out the mal lines, but havent' a clue about GSD lines.

PS: Ed, with all your breeding and decades of experience I'd be happy to hear what you have to say maybe you could weigh in. THANKS GUYS!

Hey Jeff, It is ok and understandably so, we learn from our mistakes. I do all the treatments on the dogs now. Our mistakes can be a high, heartfelt price to pay. And one can not mention pesticides or proper feeding enough in conjunction with any pets health. I was just hoping others would learn from our mistakes.... I take no offense at all.
NICE POST JEFF... WELL PUT & HUGGGGGGGGGGS <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have seen a fair amount of GSD. I have worked a solid amount from young young dogs to older dogs. I'm sure there are a lot of experienced breeders out there that can give thoughts on nice dog's. A few weekends ago I had the chance to learn some trial work from James Laney, I asked him about the dogs he see's in this country and what lines he liked. He mentioned a kennel an germany I have never really herd of but, it is worth checking out. The kennel is "Abfur", he mentioned they produce real strong dog's. They might not be top scoreing schutzhund dog's, but he liked what he has seen. I have a super female,(truely being un biased) that is line breed 3-3 on deika von der wannaer hohen, 4-4 fax bernhaus mader, 3-3 on blacky neun land. She is allmost 2. she has awesome drive and is very healthy. I have not yet gotten her hips checked (a few more months). I'm on the raw food diet, and I feel that if you feed that your going to avoid a lot of issues, and down the road 20-30 years, creating a gene pool of raw feed dog's will improve the health. I would go for any real nice working line dog. I like the west german working line dogs. There seems to be more information about them , and you can easily track influential healthy dog's. Some of the pendelback dogs and mohnweise dogs are a few dogs today that I like. From what I see in the malinois it is tuff to get the nerves of a shepherd. getting any puppy is a crap shoot, as even the great dogs can produce a bad one. Good Luck, Chet

 Quote:

I appreciate the responses. My next question is are there GSD bloodlines out there, that have thrown consistancy as far as great or above average health is concerned? I can tell you inside and out the mal lines, but havent' a clue about GSD lines.

An intressting question. Sure there are healthproblems in the GSD, but there are also people who have owned several GSDs which are for the most part healthy. I had the same doubt as you regarding health in this breed, due to the fact that my previous GSD did have quite many problems. Some things you can check up yourself, HD/ED-statistic from the kennel, if a large amount of the dogs produced by the kennel works as servicedogs or havde done well in various dogsports thats too a sign of a robust and healthy GSDs I guess.

When I started to look for a new pup I looked for breeders who had very good statistic regarding HD/ED, 85-90% free, and many dogs produced for highlevel work. I noticed they used similar lines and that was a good sign I guess. But I also heard rumors that other problems than HD/ED was quite normal in these lines, at least as common as the average workinglines. I questioned the breeders of these lines what
they said about that, and that was a problem they didn´t was familiar with, they also could get me in contact with a lot of previous puppybuyers to ask them if they had any problems with itching, immunesyste and such.
Overall, they seemed very open with potential healthproblems and I had no reasson to belive the rumours I heard, so I guess I have a pretty good chance to get a healthy pup.

Chris, I have had a few over the years and no health issues whatsoever. Maybe I am lucky, but I as you would, pay attention to who I am getting a dog from. My Mal got kennel cough a few months back, and the shepherds were fine. Drinking out of the same water bucket and everything. I truly believe that most shepherds are very hardy animals in general. Hips can be x-rayed before purchase even at 8 weeks. Won't rule out everything but will be a good marker. The breeder that is reputable will take back the dog if it is unhealthy for whatever reason, and give you some sort of compensation, depending on contracts and such. Plus shepherds can do ringsport! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />