Czech lines GSD

    • Gold Top Dog

    Czech lines GSD

    As you all know, i'm on the search for a dobe. I wont get one until i move in about 1.5-2 years. My boyfriend said that he wants to get another GSD after my dobe pup is older. We'll have over 30 acres, so i wouldn't mind having one more dog. I really like the looks of the czech lines GSDs...but i've never been around them. Anyone have any good info for me?
    • Gold Top Dog
    Most of the Czech lines are high drive, powerful, confident dogs.  They are not really the best fit unless you are prepared for that level of drive (think the police k9s)
    • Gold Top Dog
    That's kind of what i figured. I've seen them on the police force, but never as pets. Not a good idea for me, since i already have Kaiser, I don't think he would do very well with that kind of temperment.
    • Gold Top Dog
    They are like every other GSD line in that you better know and trust the importer/breeder. Sometimes you can find one that was imported and didn`t make the cut for a PD or dog sport.
    • Silver
    I wouldn't recommend a Czech dog to anyone that wasn't planning on giving the dog some kind of job. i.e. Schutzhund, Tracking, SAR, Competition Obedience, Agility, etc. because their drive and demand of constant attention has often come off to the non-GSD savvy people as annoying, destructive, etc.
     
    If you like the look of the Czech dogs, I might suggest an East German DDR working line dog or a West German showline dog. The DDR's tend not to be quite so drivey nor do the showline dogs, but they still posess the compact bodies, square heads and dark pigmented colors like Czech dogs.
     
    Especially with these kind of dogs, along with Dobes, a VERY reputable breeder is crucial.
     
    For what it's worth, I will never own another American showline Shepherd. The European working/show lines are a true testament to the versatility, temperament and nerve of the breed.
     
    Good Luck with your search! :)
     
    P.S. Your Kaiser looks alot like my Nala. What breeder did you get him from?
    • Puppy
    Personally I would not recommend any East lines for family pets.  They are extremely high drive, nervous dogs and make better working dogs for Police Depts, etc.
    • Silver
    So exactly what kind of Shepherd would you suggest someone own...?
     
     
    If you don't mind me asking.
    • Gold Top Dog
    They are extremely high drive, nervous dogs and make better working dogs for Police Depts, etc.

     
    Bull pucky they're nervous!  Nervous translates to high strung (which is NOT the same as high drive!) and that's no good for police departments.

    Many departments tried Malinois, and turned back to GSDs, because, even though the GSD has health issues (Which is why they turned to Malinois in the first place), they found the GSD to be LESS nervy, LESS high strung, and MORE reliable!
     
    If one does their research, they can live with a working line dog.  If you have an active lifestyle, but aren't interested in schutzhund, you CAN still get a working line dog.  Two BSP competitor multiple SchH III, IPO3, FH dogs will not produce an entire litter of the same.  There will be at least one pup in that litter that will not be suitable for the work (at least not at national level), and will be lower drive than the rest.
     
    I honestly do NOT consider myself a very active person.  Do I train a lot and go to kennel club?  Heck yes.  Do I hike, and bike, and enjoy the great outdoors?  God no.  But I know what it takes to keep a high drive dog happy, and I could deal with a working line dog.
     
    Just do your research and you'll be fine.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Ok  just cant let it pass [;)] without a comment.  Yes Malinois have reduced in numbers in some police departments.  Folks in the k9 world have favorite breeds.  Mals are different and need different approachs from whoever is on the end of the lead. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    I didn't mean to imply that Malinois don't have their uses.  What I meant was, many departments have found them better suited to detection work, where as the GSD tends to be the better patrol dog.
    • Gold Top Dog
    check the wink,,, I was just attempting a bit a teasing between cyber friends,,,, Also, I think belgians because of their reactive nature they do not do well with handlers that are not extremely dog savy.  I got a kick out of Susan Clothier's description of the differences between the two.  Mals are GSDs on crack  and the other  Mals are GSDs with a switchblade. (especially the working line dogs)