Controversial Issues
- Thread starter Linds
- Start date
I think re: this breed is SUPER SPESHUL and can only be owned by superhumans: one if the biggest issues I have is people saying "inexperienced" when they mean "unprepared." I think you can own just about any dog as a first time owner IF you've done the research, learned about training, etc and are dedicated to working through any problems that might arise. That doesn't mean I think most people WILL do that, but still, it's definitely possible.
I'd rather a first time owner who has done their research get a "difficult" dog than someone who has owned dogs but still doesn't really know jack.
I'd rather a first time owner who has done their research get a "difficult" dog than someone who has owned dogs but still doesn't really know jack.
I wasn't making a generalization. I'm just pointing out that a lot of the GSD's that I see have awful temperaments and even worse conformation. I think the problem is pretty large when we get a GSD at the dog rescue and a lady comments that there is no way that he is a GSD because 'his back isn't sloped enough'. I don't know much about different lines or a typical GSD temperament, but I do know that it is atypical for a supposedly well-bred dog to get hip dysplasia at two years old and be such a nervous wreck that it can't go anywhere without its Thundershirt. It's just like with many breeds that have become extremely popular in recent years and their temperaments and physical health have taken a turn for the worst because of it. I know there are great and terrible of examples of each breed, but these are just my observations.
Wait, it's a *problem* when people are identifying a breed based on it's conformation? 
No but you were very whole heartedly agreeing with a generalization. And in the case of the rescue lady LOL I think that's just plain ignorance? Is it a problem that people don't recognize my dog as a GSD because he has a gay tail?
Yeah there is good and bad in every breed and generally a lot of bad with the more popular dogs, but if you don't know the breed and lines maybe it'd be a good idea not to hate on an entire group of dogs. Or quote and agree with other posts expressing that opinion Its totally fine to have a preference or dislike a certain look or practice but broad, sweeping generalizations from someone who doesn't know the breed? Ehhh.
(PS: I am just showing extra rage and snark for Linds' sake. I've had this discussion waaaay too often anyway)
Not really, because extremes stand out. That's the very definition of the word extreme, and that's what people find easiest to remember for the most part. Also that statement in itself is a little ridiculous - to say that the extremes are all anyone knows about the GSD. Considering the breed's popularity, that's very hard to believe. If I actually ever heard someone claim a dog cannot be a GSD because it doesn't have a sloped back, I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face. I have a working bred GSD that I take with me everywhere, and I promise you no one fights me when I tell them he's a GSD (except one person who seriously thought he was a wolf).
Oh god no LOL Me neither. Plus, definitely a difference between not finding a dog pretty and claiming all dogs of one type are extreme trainwrecks
Yeah there is good and bad in every breed and generally a lot of bad with the more popular dogs, but if you don't know the breed and lines maybe it'd be a good idea not to hate on an entire group of dogs. Or quote and agree with other posts expressing that opinion
Its totally fine to have a preference or dislike a certain look or practice but broad, sweeping generalizations from someone who doesn't know the breed? Ehhh.(PS: I am just showing extra rage and snark for Linds' sake. I've had this discussion waaaay too often anyway)
Not really, because extremes stand out. That's the very definition of the word extreme, and that's what people find easiest to remember for the most part. Also that statement in itself is a little ridiculous - to say that the extremes are all anyone knows about the GSD. Considering the breed's popularity, that's very hard to believe. If I actually ever heard someone claim a dog cannot be a GSD because it doesn't have a sloped back, I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face. I have a working bred GSD that I take with me everywhere, and I promise you no one fights me when I tell them he's a GSD (except one person who seriously thought he was a wolf).
Oh god no LOL Me neither. Plus, definitely a difference between not finding a dog pretty and claiming all dogs of one type are extreme trainwrecks
If I actually ever heard someone claim a dog cannot be a GSD because it doesn't have a sloped back, I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face
Oh god no LOL Me neither. Plus, definitely a difference between not finding a dog pretty and claiming all dogs of one type are extreme trainwrecks
Oh god no LOL Me neither. Plus, definitely a difference between not finding a dog pretty and claiming all dogs of one type are extreme trainwrecks
All English bulldogs bred to standard are extreme trainwrecks. So there.
I do not like that look, either, personally.
personally? I loooveee Trent and Patton here on chaz. Both examples of my "ideal" GSD.
This? Not so much.
or this
It just looks so... awkward and uncomfortable. I don't like the way a lot of the GSDs you see in the AKC showrings move, like at all.
personally? I loooveee Trent and Patton here on chaz. Both examples of my "ideal" GSD.
This? Not so much.
or this
It just looks so... awkward and uncomfortable. I don't like the way a lot of the GSDs you see in the AKC showrings move, like at all.
I remember seeing a series of pictures of Equinox's Trent in different positions (this forum or another? I don't remember) and that's what I was thinking of just now. How different a dog can look. And in this stack, the posture brings to mind an image of people doing exercise lunges. Angulation and how extended the leg really is.