german_shep_fan

Best "wary" in the whole post!!

I had lengthy chat with a GSD breeder of 30 years experience about aggression in the breed which she maintains is in the dogs genetics, either they have an aggression tendency or they don't, and where it surfaces is when the owners of the potentially aggressive individuals haven't dealt with the problem adequately in training and management. She told us that she had aggression in her lines years ago that came in from one dog effecting a couple of generations mainly in males that were stranger aggressive and would instinctively bite people they didn't know, she said they were not safe dogs for anyone outside the family and she corrected the situation by breeding the trait out of her bloodlines? Others can correct me if i am wrong but as far a GSDs are concerned (to my knowledge) the working bloodline (used in police and corrective services work ect) do have a higher prey and aggression drive then other bloodlines of shep. They have been bred for this specifically in order to do the work required of them and have experienced handlers who know how to deal with them training and taking care of them. Actually, the GSD breeder I spoke of which I thought the stranger aggressive dogs would be used for police dogs, she said the police won't use dogs like that, they have to be high in prey drive but very stable in temperament apparantly? She said they train aggression into the dogs as an extension of prey drive and the type of dog they use is a courageous dog when challenged that doesn't back down or run away, but she said they teach the dog to win fights with obviously lengthy and specialised training. She told us that young GSD's the police pick for training are pups that mad on chasing balls, playing tug with heaps of energy, not one's that are snappy, fearful or show aggressive tendencies? No they wouldn't take ones that show aggressive tendencies as these are not good traits to have, they need to be able to control the aggression and have the dog turn it on and off so to speak i suppose lol Someone who is more versed in the working lines might be able to answer you correctly. sorry :D

Yes, please move it. I found 7 skinned Alsation puppies on a bush track near my house when I was a kid. My parents reported it to the RSPCA and the offenders were caught and charged. It was a horrifying experience and I don't feel like re-living it. I bet they got off with a slap on the wrist too if the fines are anything like they are today How awful! Im so sorry you had to see something like that. I think they took it pretty seriously. The RSPCA Inspector and the police came to our house to interview me. They even came back another time to tell us that the people responsible had been charged. The Inspector said they had been watching these people and suspected it had been going on for a while but they had no proof. I god thats so awful! Im SO glad they found them, esp if they suspected they were repeat offenders! Im so glad you and your family dobed them in! Makes me sick to think ppl do this to dogs (esp my heart breed) right here in oz. I know in the other thread you said you were wary of GSDs in general but im so thankful you and your fam brought these animals to justice, as you said, no creature deserves this!

I had lengthy chat with a GSD breeder of 30 years experience about aggression in the breed which she maintains is in the dogs genetics, either they have an aggression tendency or they don't, and where it surfaces is when the owners of the potentially aggressive individuals haven't dealt with the problem adequately in training and management. She told us that she had aggression in her lines years ago that came in from one dog effecting a couple of generations mainly in males that were stranger aggressive and would instinctively bite people they didn't know, she said they were not safe dogs for anyone outside the family and she corrected the situation by breeding the trait out of her bloodlines? Others can correct me if i am wrong but as far a GSDs are concerned (to my knowledge) the working bloodline (used in police and corrective services work ect) do have a higher prey and aggression drive then other bloodlines of shep. They have been bred for this specifically in order to do the work required of them and have experienced handlers who know how to deal with them training and taking care of them.

Yes, please move it. I found 7 skinned Alsation puppies on a bush track near my house when I was a kid. My parents reported it to the RSPCA and the offenders were caught and charged. It was a horrifying experience and I don't feel like re-living it. I bet they got off with a slap on the wrist too if the fines are anything like they are today How awful! Im so sorry you had to see something like that.

Well said Flaves! I feel that at a time when dog laws are becoming downright insane we all should be sticking together rather then singling out breeds as a result of only a few misbehaving (and in resuce cases its often due to abuse or neglect). This mindset only feeds into BSL and gives it more support i feel. I will give any dog a chance, regardless of what my experiences are with that breed in the past, i have met lovely goldens, labs and swf's and i have met aweful dogs of all these breeds too, one of which had the council visit the house numerous times as it was so dog and ppl aggressive Each dog is an individual and should not be judged as a preconception of the whole breed.

Thank you for the info Snook. Yes i have seen the pics of the sheps but will never watch the vids, i do srsly think my mental health would suffer, i would never get those screams out of my head I have a section of my myspace site dedicated to sheps in the chinese fur trade though, just so ppl can see what is happening there.

If you are answering me then i was only stating what i believe to define a puppy farm. I haven't said anything abt protesting against whoever is opening a facility, all i did was say what my definition of a puppy farm is!

I've known for yrs abt GSDs being skinned alive in China for their fur but was unaware it is being sold here! Did you catch what they sell here? This is the reason i avoid anything to do with China. I even refused to watch the 08 olympics cos i knew that just up the road from the main arena this horric cruelty was happening

Yay! Good for them! It's so inspiring to see people not just speaking out against puppy farms, but actually getting off their arses and doing something about it. I would go too if I didn't dislike camping so much Define Puppy Farm. My definition of 'what is a puppy farm?' is changing. It used to be something like "a large-scale commercial breeding facility where the emphasis is on profit over welfare". However, after thinking more about it, my definition is now more like "a substandard breeding operation". I would be interested to hear other people's definitions of 'what is a puppy farm?'.. To me personally a "puppy farm" is a place where the dogs are not cared for humanely (no human contact, kept in filth, abused ect- i could go on for hrs abt many things including how many times a bitch should be bred from ect but thats just a personal opinion) And also that profit is at the forefront of the breeders mind, not the betterment of the breed or concern for the dogs (stud, bitch) in their care.

I think ppl should be wary of dogs based on their behaviour and not their breed :/ Makes me sad that so many ppl are wary of GSD's esp with all the crap going on Vic, sad to see dog owners who also own large or "scary" looking breeds could also be fearful of GSD's. The only two dogs i really have a problem with here are a small black poodle that is constantly out of its yard and tries to bite my boy. My mother was walking with us one day and went to take it back to its yard and it tried to bite my mother! I rang the council cause this went on for wks on end at one point only to have good ol Brisbane city council not give two hoots cos "oh its only a small dog" ugh The other is a black lab who rushes out of its constantly open gate barking snarling and baring its teeth at me and my boy, it really gets the wind up me cos its bigger then mr poodle a few doors down from us. It follows us carrying on like this for at least twenty metres as well The owners don't give a stuff, one time it happened the bloke came out and was like "oh she must be scared of your GSD, it is a GSD you know" i was like Of course this doesn't mean all poodles and labs are aggressive, these poor dogs have never been taught any better

Thank you very much for posting I still can't get my head around the horror that is going on in Vic and whilst the Pres of the staffy club has every right to stand up and speak out for his breed (and good on him!) i can't help but find it a little distasteful the way he talks about the Pit Bull I understand he is trying to protect staffys and that is more then fair enough but when he talks down abt pitties like that it just makes me mad! I have no idea abt the genetics of staffies or pits or how closely related they are ect, thats not my point, its just that the way he talks he demonises all pits when of course they are not all like that.

Agreed! Both the dogs in your pic are beautiful! I worry for my breed too. All of these big "aggressive" breeds are starting to be seriously targeted by media and public for the actions of a very slim few!

Hi TLC so sorry that happened to you! Must of been so frightening! Glad she is ok I agree with Shell. I would take her to the chiro just incase. She may have thrown her neck or back out which will make her very sore if not fixed.

ugh to the second comment on the actual site. I thought that was just an hysteria thing and it was proven to be false hence why the GSD ban was lifted? I knew farmers were afraid they would breed with dingoes or wild dogs ect but thought it was just a fear? Wonder if it really happened or if this woman is just repeating garbage that has been recycled for "34 yrs"

Happy Birthday Handsome!

Hope all works out for you and the vet is able to give you some advice or meds that might calm her down Let us know how she gets on.

Thanks very much for the link Great looking Sheps!

Hi Yeah it sounds like she is definately anxious when you go to leave her. Unsure why she has started doing this though. Do you think it is possible something frightened her when you were out one day and since then she has become anxious when she knows you are going to leave her on her own? How does she get on with your other dog?

Im so so sorry gsdog2 How painful it is to lose them My i ask a general question abt bloat? Are they more likely to bloat if they eat a meal straight after excerise or if they are overheated? I have been told this but was wondering if other circumstances can also cause this or if it can sometimes just happen? Our first gsd bloated when i was a young child and dad told me he just got her there in time, vet said if he had been another 5 mins.... Yes!!!! You shouldn't feed your dog 2hrs before and after exercise. If possible elevate their food bowl and if feeding dry food do not allow them to drink large amounts of water immediately after eating. Thank you Yes his food bowl is elevated and i always wait till he is properly cooled off before his has his dinner. Even if he does crack a case of the poopies cause he has to wait lol

Im so so sorry gsdog2 How painful it is to lose them My i ask a general question abt bloat? Are they more likely to bloat if they eat a meal straight after excerise or if they are overheated? I have been told this but was wondering if other circumstances can also cause this or if it can sometimes just happen? Our first gsd bloated when i was a young child and dad told me he just got her there in time, vet said if he had been another 5 mins....

I am having the same problem with my 6yr old GSD, I lost my old girl 2 mnths ago and he has now gone off his food Im not sure what to do either other than lots of love and attention. My boy has been going out 3 times a day to keep him busy and active. Im so sorry for your loss, its so hard on the remaining dogs, and us!

I had a look at the letter, its just bloody disgusting!! Do you think your friend would mind if i cross posted that on fb?? So basically Am Staff's and SBT's will become restricted in Vic and there is nothing anyone can do abt it?? F*&k!

Haha yep if they don't cross the road you just get the standard death glare. If i had a dollar for everytime i got given the mummy with her darlings deathglare i would srsly be a millionaire!

This is a nice idea, but totally impractical the inner city where I live. We pass so many people on our walks that we would never get anywhere if we had to stop everytime. Not to mention the fact that there is no place that is off the pavement. Theoretically if your dog is heeling on your left hand side, you should be between your dog and any passersby anyway. As long as people are walking on the correct side of the pavement that is. ( But that's another grumble. ) I agree that it is impractical (not having a go) but i also just think that dog owners shouldn't have to do that unless the dog is jumping around and misbehaving. When you are walking in a public area it is a PUBLIC area and dog owners have just as much right to walk on the paths as non dog owners. My dog usually moves off the path to avoid walking closely to ppl anyway. If ppl don't like my breed of dog then as far as i am concerned that is their own problem as he walks well and never causes any trouble. As long as he is well behaved and does what i tell him i think it is unreasonable to expect us to have to wait till the public go by.