As far as working GSD bloodlines, a DDR dog is a good choice for a pet.




(That isn't really a compliment BTW. There is a pretty good reason that there aren't many pure DDR dogs left out there. There is a pretty good reason why working breeders aren't breeding pure DDR dogs.)




This comment I'm about to make could be argued, for sure, but. . .

Although there are some really excellent DDR dogs, who have had a really positive influence on other working bloodlines, the DDR bloodline as a whole is a perfect example of what could happen to any of the working bloodlines if we were to take a keen interest in producing nice conformation in our working dogs.








<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Don't worry VC- I don't think anyone would expect a compliment from you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. I have a question; Do you mean confirmation or conformation? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

What are you talking about?

Anja handles new situation beautifully,noise,weird sights,sounds,feelings underfoot-nothing like that fazes her. A good illustration is that when we got her at the airport,she popped out of her crate,tail going,looked around,and then wanted to head to the place where the cargo handler had torn open a small bag of kibble that had been taped there! Forklifts were honking and zooming all around us in that huge cargo hanger,but she was only curious,alert and happy.

...listening to all here has been giving me a lot of good input,and I think I have a somewhat better understanding of our situation: Anja was gotten for me as a replacement for my Psych SD,(in part-*very* long,weird story to this),who is outstanding at that work,but doesn't like doing mobility work. (this is the dog that my son has now).I was supposed to have had a GSD pup from a program to take his place,but that is the ugly story, the result of which caused me to have a serious mental breakdown,and this was the state I was just beginning to recover from when Anja came-with me in a dissociative state a good quarter of the time,at least,or coming out of one. As great as she is at mobility,and even in alerting to low blood sugar,she has zero aptitude for psych tasks,and very likely it was a bad match that no one around me recognised,and no one was crediting what I said at the time because of my mental state. But that is past,and now is what I have to work with. The better I understand her and myself,the better I can solve problems,and smooth out problems...which is gradually happening. She would be farther along,if we could have gotten out and about more often in town,I think,because she does well around here,except when we run into people who are afraid of her. But perhaps even that is that she is reflecting my worry about her doing well....hmmm

VanCamp-Nevermind. You changed your spelling. I was wondering if it was a typo or if you meant "confirmation" but you fixed it. I thought conFORmation was what you meant, but wasn't sure. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Man, must be nice to REALLY be able to edit posts! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> It's just a mean joke for the rest of us... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have my "Erika" from Czech/DDR lines and she is absolutly wonderful with me and the family. I wouldn't recommend a puppy like her to Joe Average but I would to someone willing to commit to training.

Robert - I had a question, what do you mean about the last part of your post "Although there are some really excellent DDR dogs, who have had a really positive influence on other working bloodlines, the DDR bloodline as a whole is a perfect example of what could happen to any of the working bloodlines if we were to take a keen interest in producing nice conformation in our working dogs ." I've just started learning the different lines and wanted a better understanding of the "what could happen" part.
This link is an example of the beginning of your post for those not familiar with DDR working dogs: http://www.vomdomburgerland.nl/eng_boban.html

A good portion of the DDR "working" bloodlines were actually showlines. They were breeding the dogs to win in the shows, thus the big heads and great pigment. There was a split between those still breeding for work and those more interested in show. Same thing happened in West Germany, only in a more extreme way, so extreme that today we call them two different bloodlines. In East Germany working ability took a backseat to physical appearance for a lot of breeders.


I don't have a lot of respect for the DDR bloodline's working ability, and I'm not the only one.

Hi you've written couple of times that you are not very pleased with DDR lines.. Could not find from previous post why exactly. I am just curious. I have a czech dog myself.. but I see more and more crosses with DDR's in czech rep.
If you could point direction (thread) or maybe just write the reason, I would be grateful. I am just learning some new things and opinions and that is something that interests me a lot.
Thank you
Sorry if I directed this thread someplace else...
DDR versus Czech, Slovak line... I know the czech very well but I dont have much experience with DDR
Thank you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Robert, which working lines do you prefer? and/or do you like the DDR/Czech cross, or do prefer to stay away from dogs with any DDR lineage? I know it also depends on the breeding, it can't be a guaranteed "cookie cutter" approach to gsd puppies either.