Why DDR Dogs??? - Page 1

Lately there has been numerous post of people inquiring about DDR dogs. One even asking about DDR vs Showline. Not to make fun of the poster but that is like asking me what's the difference between a toy gun and a real gun...lol. Why is it that in the USA is there such fasincation with this type of dog? I started to notice this trend in the last few years. I had some interesting conversation with friends across the pond and they all seem to say the same thing....because they look cool. Is that really why you Americans buys them. You realize what these dogs were bred for right? They weren't bred to be pets but rather tools for the state to be used against it's own people. Now I see American breeders breeding them for pet quality.

I can only say why I prefer DDR dogs.  I LOVE the look of them.  I got my first one in 1993 and since then I have been hooked.  I love the blocky heads,  The heavy bone and the sable color.  (Especially the dark sables)

I love their temperaments, drives and attitude.  The ones I have had are goofey, almost puppy acting for a long time.   They do tend to mature slowly,  so most dont make Top Sport dogs, but for the average Joe that wants a nice all around dog,  they seem to fit the bill. 

Some people like them, some people dont, so to each his own.

I also love these strong dog.

I guess it's just like anything else, some people won't drive anything but Fords, some are Chevy lovers. Personally, I love them for their exceptional bone/huge bear heads/rich pigment.  They are the perfect "all around dog" for me. Just personal preference!

Behind the wall these dogs weren't bred for top sport. They were bred to hunt down people trying to escape pretty much a man hunter. Top sport today as everyone knows it requires over the top prey drive and no defense to show for. Most of these prey monsters are not suitable for family environment but rather sadly kennel life. DDR dogs in my father's time worked for the state. These dogs were very hard and possed very strong civil aggression. Most of them could work independent of their handlers. Most of them were certified on the work fields of E.Deutschland and not on some football or as you American say soccer fields. Sadly I see todays DDR lineage dogs are a shadow of their past ancetors.The only thing perhaps they have in common are looks, type and mystic of what they were known for.

Djon~~Well written post.  This is so true, but not only of these dogs, but of life.  I was fortunate enough to have lived in the 50's and know what life was at that time.  We have come a long way from that.  Same with the dogs.  I would love to go back in time and have time as I did in my childhood, but isn't going to happen.  Same with these DDR dogs.  Their purpose will never be the same.  But, that doesn't mean that they don't have purpose, they do.  How fortunate for those of us are that own these wonderful dogs and appreciate everything they are today as well as in past.

Constance Krebs, RN

Spartanville Shepherds

www.spartanville.com

spartsheps, (Connie)

Well said.  These big furry beasts make my life what it is..  I couldnt imagine life without them.   As I sure everyone feels about their "type" of dog.

Kim

www.justk9s.com

JustK9's, I just have to say that your dog ROOKIE is absolutely gorgeous,with a head to die for. Had a look at your web site and the picture of Rookie looking out of the car is stunning. You also have two puppies from a previous litter, UMI/ROOKIE, which are super. Now i am a show dog person,but your dogs are some of the best looking working line dogs i have seen. liz 

My first shepherd, Sadow was my first dog from a backyard breeder and he just happened to be part DDR.  He was a grandson of David v Nebelholz who came from East Germany before the wall came down.  Like David, he was huge, about 28 inches with a very deep and broad chest. Shadow's mother was tall blocky headed, and large boned as well. a female version of David.  Shadow looked almost exactly like his mother and grandfather.  He had all the traits that are ascribed to the DDR shepherds.  He was awesome and a very serious, civil dog that was also totally socialized.  I took him everywhere.  He had the perfect full mouth grip but a litle low on the prey drive.  The first Schutzhund trainer really did not know how to motivate him. Ivan Balabanov knew just how to get him in the game and fire up his fight drive.  When Shadow locked on to the sleeve, he made full eye contact and made kind of a low humming noise.  Ivan said it was good, not growling or chewing.  Something different and interesting.  It is a shame that I am a mediocre handler because I had a very good dog.

  David v Nebelholz

Don v Rolandseich, David's father

After Shadow died, I searched for these bloodlines and found Julie Marlow.  I am so happy to  have Pharaoh. Both of his parents have bloodlines from Don Rolandsteich.

Yeah, Don was one gorgeous dog! You're lucky that Pharaoh has it top and bottom of his pedigree.