GSD's what has happened to the breed? Controversial

I have just been looking at the GSD rescue in Scotland and 3 of the dogs appealed to me. All 3 have issues with other dogs, can't be left and are nervous. But, to be honest I read some of the other write up's and they all seem the same.

What has happened to the breed? They all seem to be destructive, dog unfriendly, nervous wrecks.
Is it because they had bad owners or has the breed just been totally ruined?

I really like them and was looking for one when I found my GWP in rescue and kind of got side tracked.

I especially liked Bear.

My last dog was a GSD cross foxhound and she was nothing like this. She was totally laid back. She looked like a full GSD just had floppy ears and a white patch on her chest.

A bit of both - back yard breeders combined with owners without a clue........

They are such stunning dogs too.

One was 4 years old and had never had a walk!!!!!!!!!!!

He is a stunner. One of the ones I liked.

So sad isn't it and I agree with Jet & Cooper there, it's a bit of both, moreso the numpty owners possibly. The only ones I know around here are all rescues, and all have the same problems, because when they've got to the teenage stage 9 months or so, they're too much of a handful, the owners can't be bothered to put in all the hard work to mould them into shape properly, so it's a viscious circle isn't it.

Somebody I know has recently been to stay with her boyfriend who lives in the middle of nowhere, and she said they bought a gsd puppy, and the poor thing is totally neglected and ignored and left to do its own thing She said she had to take control and give it some kind of routine and a bit of training, but she said, it's a hopeless situation, coz as soon as she left, they'll just leave it to find its own amusement, then they'll probably get rid of it when it becomes a handful I suggested she brings it home with her next time she visits, but she said she's scared of them and wouldn't be able to handle it!

So, would you recommend a rescue one then?

I would not want a pup as there are so many weedy, pointy nosed one's out there I want to see the grown dog and get the old fashioned straight backed deep muzzled massive ones. Preferably with a floppy ear just cause it makes em look daft.

I look at the GSD rescue site all the time, my friend used to volunteer for them, and my next dog will very likely be a GSD!

Too many on there aren't good with other dogs though, which would be an issue for me :-(

Numpty owners have a lot to answer for!!!!!

Thats what puts me off. Not good with other dogs.

I know it's maddening, so many gorgeous dogs let down and living in kennels :-(

Hmmm actually I'm not sure I'd even pass a home check, last time I asked about GSD rescue I was a bit put off with their OTT requirements, but that's another story and was before GSDR Scotland was split from the original rescue....

I've owned two GSDs in my time. It's now over 20yrs since I lost the last one. But I considered them to be the best dogs in the world and if I lived where I could have one now and was slightly more sprightly myself I would still want one.

But always believed they were dogs it was essential to obedience train well and exercise well too. I always understood that one of the dangers of not giving them enough exercise and stimulation was that they could become 'grumpy'.

They all mostly looked the same back then too. None of the different colours. Just the occasional longer haired one.

Now, one of the only dogs around my way I don't trust near my little dog is a GSD. Owned by a man who breeds and shows them. He takes the 3 he keeps himself out separately, never together. He walks them about a quarter of the distance I walk my min pin and almost always on the lead (certainly puts them on the lead as soon as he sees another dog - I think this is because he doesn't 100% trust them either.) No fetch games or other training type exercises - they are walked the equivalent of around two or 3 small residential blocks twice a day. I don't think this is anywhere near enough exercise for a GSD. And they go absoloutely ballistic if you walk past the yard of the house where they are kept.

i would definitely recommend getting a rescue. Maddie is one, came from GSD rescue scotland too. I can't praise the organisation and their volunteers highly enough.

With her we knew what we were getting (cat hater), the volunteers even now, are only a phone call away if we need help or advice on anything.

Fortunately there are LOADS of lovely well made, superb temperament GSDs about for those who want one.

they are no different to any other breed, in that you need to go to a reputable breeder and understand what you are looking at.

Oh and GSDs were NEVER supposed to be "massive"

I think its just clueless people, same happens with akitas in rescue, people buy them as cute pups, too easily, then 8 months down the line just throw them away.

Interestingly, we went looking for our first dog as a couple 5 years ago and wanted a GSD, but we found Zeke, i remember saying, well he's GSD coloured?! Heehee, we came away with possibly an even harder breed to own lol but we struck lucky, and stuck at it!

I don't think people realise the responsibility and commitment needed to own a dog till it's too late for the poor dog.

Oh definitely, I wasn't bad mouthing the rescue in any way by the way, just musing at my chances of passing a home check

Indeed, I was hoping for a rescue though, and so was specifically talking about the ones in rescue.......

As others have said, like many of the more popular breeds they are victims of their own popularity. When you breed for nothing but to produce puppies, temperament, health and 'type' are compromised. This is true for not only German Shepherds but Labs, Cocker/Springer Spaniels, Staffies, Goldens and all the most populous breeds.

Irresponsible breeders tend to outnumber the responsible ones who breed for type, so you are more likely to encounter dogs that are not 'typey' than ones that are. I have to say that I rarely see any of the most popular dog breeds that look true to type physically.

Most of the German Shepherds around here are like you say -- nervous, very racy looking, lacking in any substance and usually undersized. Backyard bred in other words

I never took it that way at all
what makes you think you might not pass the homecheck?

we had to rebuild fences in the garden (not tall enough) in order to get the final go ahead. Ruined my nails that did!

oh I can't be ruining my nails!!!

Three main reasons - we have kennels for our dogs, and at that time my friend (the volunteer) had said they will not re-home to anyone who has outside kennels (ours are only in the kennels overnight and if no one is in, which is like once a fortnight).

We also do not have high fencing, only about 4 foot, but we are rural and surrounded by fields and trees

We both work full time.......

Still might be worth having a chat with them. Im not sure about the kennel situation.

We certainly had a positive experience with getting a rescue. The first month is on foster terms just in case something doesn't work out for either party, and you get a follow up home visit.

It's getting to that time of year where many rescues wont rehome.

The reason I was looking for a GSD originally was I wanted a dog that needed a serious amount of exercise. Something that will be knackered after an hour is no good to me. It must travel well in the car. Must get on with other dogs. I would prefer it not to have a prey drive but, I can cope if it has. Cat hater is a plus with me.
I ended up with a dog aggressive, prey driven GWP that can clear 7 foot from standing and has a hatered of cats.
So, technically, I'm not that fussy. LOL
I am guilty of going for looks though.