I was reading Ed's profile on the 1989 DDR Sieger Show DVD and he mentioned there that the dogs of the DDR were not the saviour of the GSD? Could it be because of the fact that everybody had this notion that DDR Dogs possessed the classical drives and temperaments closer to the undiluted shepherds of yesteryears just because they were DDR dogs? That in the end the viewer will see that just because they're DDR dogs doesn't mean they've better working abilities and it all boils down to careful and selective breeding after all? I haven't bought/seen the video, so maybe some of you can provide some insight.
Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
Posts: 5983
Loc: Idaho
Offline
Actually, Ed's statement was in regards to the popular mindset of the GSD working dog world at the time.
A lot of people though that the DDR dogs were going to infuse badly needed "new blood" in the GSD lines ( as the DDR dogs were cut off from the breeding pool for 30ish plus years, thanks to the Iron Curtain ) so there was a lot of excitement about them in those days.
A similar mindset happened with the Czech dog craze, although I think that disappointment that occurred with the DDR dogs softened the expectations of people by then.
#1 Alk v Landsberg 100-98-98=296
#2 Alibaba v Berolinahof 100-94-100=294
#3 Ben v Waldberg 99-97-95=291
#4 Assi vd Fichtenhalle 100-97.5-93=290.5
#5 Ali v Möllers Hof 99-96-95=290
I imported some nice animals and handled several during the DDR craze.
I had a dog Alf vom Haus Christian I titled to a SchH I here before he blew out his knee and was retired from sport.
I also worked a dog named Dolf on the street, a son of a DDR Seiger.
We all hoped that by going to some dogs that were separated from the working stock in Germany for the most part we would gain something among the working dogs. It was also hoped here in the US that since some of the first (and the best of just a few really good dogs) dogs came over they had really strong fighting instinct and we all hoped that this was indicative of the DDR dogs. Not so, many were soft, many had poor hips. There were some exceptions and they are still represented in the working dogs we see in Germany today.
The one thing I really liked that we saw was pigment and bone!
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
DDR Dogs: not the saviour of the GSD?
#193733 - 05/07/2008 09:07 AM 
Top
) so there was a lot of excitement about them in those days.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
