he is lovely,, my sister has german shepherds,,, blacks ,and black and tans,

I know your pup is too young yet, but I see you like doing agility with your older dogs, have you considered competing ? I know as with all dog sports it is dominated by BC's, but I have lots of friends who compete with other breeds and cross breeds successfully. There are also ABC (anything but Collies) classes at some shows. It can be a great day out, and the dogs get to do something they enjoy.

look out for the whites and long coat show's they are for fun and to help the rescue dogs
link to part of the site
Site updated 22/01/2007

my friends dogs are on there

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www.carolscaninecare.co.uk

thanks for that website it's great! and to the other reply we are going to look into competing in agility

I'm sure you'll enjoy it, but beware like all hobbies it can turn into an obsession.

There are two equal most important things about GSDs-health & temperament, ergo you should not breed if your dog is not good in both aspects.

The next most important thing is to breed for improvement of the breed, hence the need for a "breed standard"to get nearer to perfection. My next GSD will not be bred for his looks alone, he will be bred for his character & temperament, physical health, his working ability & his physical look. all equally important to me when I look fr a puppy(exactly the same I look for in my Border Collies)

I notice you say a breeder says that your dog is a possible good show dog, in the breed standard there is a list of faults & your dog would be heavily penalised for being a non standard colour, The white & longcoat club holds shows, but these companion dog type shows & the judges are not judging to the breed standard, I'm not sure if they are KC licenced I doubt it as they are solely for white & longcoat GSDs & Companion shows cannot be held for a single breed & the society is not KC registered

There are "white"GSDs working in Obedience & Working Trials & if a dog was outstanding in these fields he could be seen as a possible stud dog for bitch owners

I've had stud dogs in the past(including GSDs)I never had to advertise them as they were sucessful show & working dogs & were used at stud to improve the breed, once their puppies were seen they were obviously dogs who were able to improve the breed. They also producing working police dogs & bitches to several police forces

There is no point in breeding just to produce "pets"all my show dogs have been pets first & live indoors & have working training, even my Cavaliers, who were sucessful show dogs(all now retired-whilst I concentrate on Obedince with my Border Collies). Few dogs are sucessful or suitable to be shown, they live their lives out as pets with good health & characters that mean that they fit in well in family life.

I'm surprised you bought a GSD not knowing about the required health tests, hip & elbow scoring, Haemophillia testing. A lot less than my BC's need they require hip & elbow scroing, eyes clinically tested, DNA screened for CEA, CL, TNS, MDRI.

Being reponsible in dog breeding means equal responsibility between stud dog & breeder for the puppies their dogs produce for the whole of their lives, a stud dog's owner's responsibility does not end once the dog has mated the bitch. You have to have the facility to take in any puppy your dog produces at any time during it's life ? If not then you should nod use your dog at stud

I live in a suburban house with my family, and of course the dogs are part of my family and enjoy the things dogs enjoy, including dog shows, they love being centre stage and meeting all their canine and human Friends.


You have a very strange notion of what a (real)breeder is.

Have a look at my website at the Up Close and Personal page for example.

Showing is my social life and hobby. Breeding is part of this hobby and custodianship of the breed for the next generation. Good breeding practises do not make you any money, if you cover some of your costs your happy.

I would be interested to know of any Elkhounds in rescue near you to pass onto our rescue workers.

Sadly there are people breeding the breed commercially for the Pet market mostly in Ireland. Tragic when the breed is so numerically small.

They don't think it matters that the dogs are health tested and are happy to sell to anyone, and through Pet shops, that is why they end up in rescue, just like all the other casually bred puppies.

There were less than a 100 puppies registered at the Kennel Club by reputable breeders last year, and the year before.

Sadly nearly all the dogs in rescue were bred in the way you think is right?

A reputable breeder takes an awful lot more care when homing their puppies, as if they get it wrong they have to pick up the pieces and deal with the dogs.

You boviously didn't read my post
Quote:

Normally bitch owners will use a dog who is winning well at shows, or is winning at Obedience or Working Trials. They will also want to see how good his offpring are in their chosen field.

I ddin't add the other dogs sports as that was fairly self evident.

Your still trying to justify sub standard breeding practices.

To breed a dog must have all three of the following:

1) Type (means adherence to the breed standard) and/or Working ability.

2) Correct Temperament and character for the breed.

3) Health, both itself and genetic as far as health testing allows us to know.

Without all of these a dog or bitch is not of breeding quality.

Only around 10% of dogs are suitable for breeding, even in quality litters.

Sounds like my dogs when my lift arrives on a show day. Far more excited than when they go for a walk.

As for Ego trips. That is the same for any competitive pastime. Be that Agility, Obedience, football etc. the dog does it for a treat and for the praise., as they do most things.

Some I am sure are vain and know damn well when they have won.

My Jozi hates having another dog in front of her in the ring, and is a real look at me girl.

In 15 years of showing I have only won at top level (CC's etc) since 2001, and was and am just as happy at the shows when we do not do as well, as it was never simply about winning.

Seeing, competing against and with top class animals has been it for me, and then cuddling up with them on the way home and slobbing out on the Sofa on our return.