Where did the US GSD go wrong? - Page 13

Well Maxi, thank you do you really mean that? Did you look at his pedigree?

Max, I think the bottom line is that we need to disagree where long coats are concerned. Some of my fellow Malamute breeders and best friends defend their woolies and use them for breeding. I don't and I don't like them, but that's what makes each of us different and unique LOL. I can't imagine an Eskimo or a shepherd ever trimming the feet of their dogs, they'd kill them first, don't you think? White is not a detriment to a sleddog, Mals and Sibes are found in solid white as are Samoyeds and mixed arctic breeds. As far as an all white arctic breed herding reindeer, I'll have to check on that before I answer as the primary job of the Samoyed is to be a sleddog. Might be as Jo-Ann has pointed out, it would be desirable in certain circumstances where wolves were the predators and the color white would help distinguish the dog from the grey wolf. Not sure if Eskimos shot the wolves though, the malamutes have an innate killer instinct and could take care of that all on their own. The average malamute can easily bring down a caribou. A friend's 75 lb malamute recently killed a large buck with the help of a smooth collie; the collie drove the buck into a corner of the fenced yard and the Malamute made the kill. Teamwork at its most primitive LOL. As far as looks go, in my eyes a longcoated GSD wins over a stock coat any day of the week. I'm just not at all convinced it is what the Captain had in mind when he wrote the standard. I am a confessed purist in both of my chosen breeds; if it's not according to the standard, I just can't defend it.

I'll email you a few photos of my mals, newbie. None of the cowhocked one though, just the good ones LOL.

Max, you forgot to mention the FCI's newest white sheepdog. http://www.berger-blanc-suisse.nl/index.php?page=breed

Isn't a berger blanc suisse a white GSD? Anyone interested in what a herding judge, trainer, exhibitor has to say about her requirements for a good herding dog can log on to http://members.cox.net/gsdherd/requirements.htm I did some research on the Samoyed breed, the dog I believe you were referring to when when you asked about a white breed that herds reindeer. Their original purpose was to guard the reindeer, herding came later. If you're interested in knowing more http://www.samoyed.org/samoyede-people.html

Charlie, That is one awesome looking boy you have there. I love how big his head is.

Thanks Brian

Good points Blitz. Charlie yes I peaked at his pedigree... it looks like he and my dog have a common ancestor, brothers way back. I do wonder though if you go back 5 generations if most GSD's are related in some way of another.

Maxi, I suspect if you go back far enough it would come back to Two dogs.....lol.I not saying my dog is anywhere near perfect but even with him slightly stacked if you look between his legs.......(back of the front and the front of the backs) it is a pretty square shape no? you understand what I'm asking?

are you saying he has square balls? that is impressive...