I made name for myself on this site once. I was an angry young man, Bolshie as all hell, and my target was the purebred dog fancy. I allied myself with all sorts of angry people, and people came here to read my latest tirade.
The truth of the matter is that anger is not strength. It is my weakness. Some bloggers can maintain an angry outraged voice for years and years at a time, but I am not among them.
The topic that used to make me see red was conformation dog shows. I would rail against extreme brachycephaly in bulldogs, pugs, and pekingese, and I would attack German shepherds for having too sloped a back, which I was sure was causing them to have spinal degeneration and hip dysplasia.
Many people came to read this stuff. From my current stats, I see that some of my pug posts are really getting attention even now.
I thought I was part of a movement that was going to reform purebred dogs for good. I now no longer think that this movement, such that it exists, is going to solve much of anything. Yes, some European kennel clubs are trying reforms, but the problem isn’t the going to be solved through shaming people.
The documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed was something I greatly celebrated. I am not so sure that I agree with it now. I initially thought that it would be used to bring about real reform in the purebred dog culture. I thought this because I misunderstood human nature, and I also totally misunderstood the nature of the modern animal rights movement
These errors led me into nearly a decade of folly. Every attack I made on a particular breed’s conformation just meant that the top breeders would ignore me and the lower tier would spend hours making asses of themselves in the comments section of the blog. The latter part was pretty entertaining, and I’m sure I made quite a bit of money off bulldog fanciers coming to this blog to insult me.
But did it change anything? Well, it added fuel to the fire for modern animal rights movement. I had no real understanding of what the animal rights people wanted, but it seems the most extreme elements of that movement want to create a fundamental change in how we relate to animals, even to the point that we destroy the human-animal bond that has existed ever since some Pleistocene wolves hooked up with people.
This movement has a real problem with breeding dogs for a purpose. If you breed German shorthairs for field trials, they are as angry with you as they are with pug breeders who breed for the show ring. They will attack pugs for their extreme brachycephaly with the same venom that they will attack tail-docking and dewclaw removal in GSPs.
If there were no animal rights extremist movement out there, then maybe there would be some merit into having a discussion about dog breeding practices. But because there is one, all this discussion does is create division. Divide and conquer, and soon, you’ll have all sorts of laws passed that make hobby breeding as difficult as possible.
This is not an academic discussion. Every serious pug breeder loves his or her dogs. They don’t really respond well to campaigns that portray them as dog abusers. And all you’re doing is creating drama that will change little.
And the animal rights movement will make things harder for breeders to fix things. I can see legislation passed that outlaws crossbreeding, which would make attempts like the LUA Dalmatians and the Retromops impossible.
Now, that is the theoretical framework of why I have decided to go a different direction, but in my own life, I’ve had experiences that have changed my perspective. In 2017, I attended a dog show in Florida, where I saw the German shepherds being judged. I didn’t see any of the ataxic gaits that I expected from years of feasting on propaganda.
Instead, I saw dogs with sound temperaments that moved a lot like paso fino horses. Every single one of them had intelligent, deep eyes, and one puppy that was being handled by an older gentleman who could not make him move out just right had the perfect look of canine joie de vivre as he tried his best to put on a show.
In the spring of 2018, I found myself sitting on the floor of a breeder’s dog room. Little sable and black-and-tan German shepherds cavorted around me. One of the sable males was to be living with us. My girlfriend had just purchased him, and we were awaiting a well-known judge’s evaluation before we were to know which one we were getting.
These puppies were full of joy and happiness. The sable males often would form the three-point stack on their own volition as they played. But what amazed me was how interactive they were. They wanted to be in communion with humanity. The drive was there at six weeks old, and I knew at that moment that there was something special about these dogs.
Our puppy moved in with us. Quest started out as a floppy creature with massive paws, but over the months hes matured into an amazing dog. His temperament is dead solid. He loves other dogs, and he will play fetch for hours. My girlfriend can train him to do just about anything. His hocks do not touch the ground, but he has that beautiful floating gait that I personally find aesthetically appealing. Experts in the breed think he is special stuff, which tells me that no one in the breed wants to produce dogs that walk on their hocks or have ataxic gaits. They want that sound flowing movement and a gorgeous three-point stack.
And the people I’ve met in the breed are the best dog people I’ve ever encountered. They are mostly down-to-earth and welcoming. They let you ask questions. They want you to learn. They love the dogs so much that they know the only future is to work together and bring in new people. As a breed, they have a good understanding of how to health test and use those results intelligently so that they don’t bottleneck the breed even more.
And the thing that really shortens the lifespan of GSD is not related to their conformation at all. It is related to a recessive allele that puts the dogs at risk for spinal cord degeneration. This condition, called degnerative myelopathy, is a problem for the breed,b but it exists in “straight-backed” working dogs, backyard-bred dogs, and show dogs. We recently fostered a GSD cross that was three quarters GSD and one quarter “supermutt,” and he was found to be homozygous to be at risk for DM. This dog was as straight-backed as a beagle, but in 7-10 years time, he could be paralyzed, and this is a dog that supposedly has hybrid vigor because of his mixed breeding.
No one has produced a scintilla of evidence that American-bred German shepherds suffer because of their conformation, and because the breeders of these dogs have taken hip dysplasia quite seriously, many dogs from these lines have OFA excellent and OFA good hips. I can’t say that about the non-AKC English shepherd, a type of collie, which is bred solely for work and has a semi-open registry. These dogs have real problems with hip dysplasia, but they have never received much scrutiny from the purebred dog reformists.
They are working dogs, and they get a much more vaunted status in that community. Blame Donald McCaig for creating that illusion that has created this exculpation. He thought that working dogs were just exempt from that scrutiny.
So yes, living with these dogs and becoming part of this community has changed me. And yes, it is profound.
And at the same time, I am as troubled by the hypocrisy of the reformers, who turn a blind eye to extreme behavioral conformation and even health issues in working strains and breeds. It doesn’t matter that real working-bred German shepherds are dogs with so much drive that the average person has no business having one. And yes, I do love working German shepherds. They are great dogs, but if you don’t want a dog that is about as smart as a border collie and about as active that also may engage in protective behavior, you really don’t want one. You’re better off with a more chill show dog.
Every single breed and every single strain of dog has its problems. Breeders can fix those problems, or they can ignore them because they like other traits. Accepting that this is a reality is quite hard for some people, but accepting this reality is the first step towards understanding. Yes, there are problems. And yes, people really do care.
I am now of the mind that I want to support hobby breeders. I want to support a movement that gives them power to produce dogs that are wonderful in their eyes. I want to be able to have a saluki that is half desert-bred and half Kazakh, even if the official kennel clubs will never recognize him as a saluki. I want to be able to breed AKC German shepherds that have sound flowing movement, sound temperament, and high intelligence. And I want other dog lovers to have that freedom. I don’t oppose crossbreeders. I don’t oppose show breeders. I support dogs and dog people.
That’s why I am leaving this older movement that has empowered animal rights fanatics too much. It is bittersweet that I am stepping away. I am sure that I’ve lost a few readers since I’ve changed my mind on German shepherds. I will probably lose more after this post. But this post had to be written. I couldn’t live with myself any longer.
What drove me to this movement was a deep sorrow. I missed a working-type golden retriever that I had known in my youth. This dog haunts my psyche. She haunts my prose.
But in some way, I was being held hostage to the past. I no longer am. Golden retrievers will never be my breed in the same way again. I will love those old dogs. I will still celebrate their history, but I’ve given up the fight to keep them lithe and wiry and smart and dark. That was an uphill battle that was lost long ago. My prose kept that hope alive only in my mournful delusions.
So I’ve gone a new direction. I am different now. Someday, I’ll show you my litter of German shepherds that I’ve bred from titled, tested parents, and they will only exist because I was willing to admit that I wrong.
The dogs changed my narrow mind.
I quit following you years ago, weary of the vitrol aimed at what I considered ethical, responsible breeders. My breed, the Lhasa Apso, is now officially considered a “low entry” breed at AKC shows. Indeed, it is rare to find them at a show nowadays. Already having gone through at least two genetic bottlenecks many decades ago, there is great concern about the sustainability of the breed. Further regulation via misinformed legislation will only hasten its demise.
An ancient landrace, the Apso has been an integral part of Tibetan history, culture and religion … I believe that history is worth preserving and honoring. Long involved with rescue, I have seen first hand what a genetic train wreck looks like, much to the detriment of the dog. Yes, I am rescue … but I prefer my dogs to have the qualities and characteristics that make an Apso “an Apso.”
Welcome to the fold.
Thank you for opening up to differing views and recognizing the love of dogs that responsible breeders have. We are not breeders but we currently have 6 pure bred dogs- 4 GSDs and 2 Finnish lapphunds. We have had “rescue” mixed breed dogs/ mutts previously and may again but we have found that these dogs require more training and accommodations for behavioral and medical problems because they have not been bred and socialized with the care of responsible breeders. And so many people are not prepared when they adopt a rescue.
WOW!! Great post. So happy for you. Welcome to our “world” we are glad you are here. I am elated that you have come to appreciate what so many of us working hard to achieve.
Welcome to the wonderful world of gsd’s!
I’d never heard of you prior to this post being shared on a dog trainer’s FB page. After reading your newest blog, I don’t think you have to worry about the followers you may lose. Congratulations, you have a host of new and returning followers who get it and are invested in fighting for people and pets. BTW, I responsibly breed German Shepherds and loved reading about the great experience you enjoyed selecting an awesome pup.
Awesome! Thanks for supporting fully health tested preservation breeders
Very well said Sir and welcome to the family.
Reader gained. Welcome to purebred dogs where healthy, sound, responsibly bred dogs are the only dogs I’ll ever own. Some of the best people I’ve known I met through purebred dogs. I believe very strongly that regardless of where a person acquires their dog, be it adoption, reduce or a breeder, it should be a thoughtful and researched decision, not to be taken for granted. Thank you Retrieverman for your change of heart, I applaud your candor.
Welcome to the world of carefully-bred and raised dogs. We are not without our problems. We are human, after all, but we adore our dogs and want the best for them and the breeds we love.
Hi. Thank you for recognizing the world of responsible breeders. I admire your willingness to change your views.
Welcome to those who just love dogs. Whether they are oure bred show dogs or well bred pets, or rescued mixed breeds. Show breeders are dedicated to improving their chosen breed or breeds. They out their heart and soul, sweat and tears and money into trying produce better, healthier dogs. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes they fall short but their failures are not due to lack of effort. Glad you understand the way we love our dogs! Hope you share many, many happy years with yours.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We have to speak up and preserve what humans have taken thousands of years to develop : a close human/canine bond. As dog-mom to four Manchester Terriers, a breed whose numbers continue to decline, I am encouraged to see that someone who was once so show-opposed can see the value in a responsibly bred, health tested, physically healthy and mentally sound dog. I love all dogs, but my Manchesters have a job- it is instinct that was bred into them and they love doing it. It hurts my heart to think that AR organizations want to end that- and by doing so, end my breed. Thank you so much for this. Enjoy your pup, and best of luck to you in the ring.
This is amazing. Congratulations on your discovery of the truth. :). Good luck and, above all, no matter what you and your dog do in the dog fancy, conformation or performance, have fun and be sure your dog is having fun and feeling loved! :)
How exciting for you! Congrats on your new puppy. Great breeders put in decades of research about health and pedigrees to make the BEST dogs for pet owners and show homes alike. Looking forward to hearing more!
From a crazy Whippet breeder in the PNW.
Surely if you look for fault, look at the most badly bred, the fad breeders, the extremes it’s easy to criticize, BUT spend time with a preservation breeder that exists like you’ve encountered and you’ll see passion, dedication and preservation are at the core of their motivation all things through responsible breeding practices. Thanks for admitting it takes more bravery to admit wrong and grow
There is nothing more joyful than a healthy litter of purpose-bred pups from health tested and proven sires and dams of any breed. GSD’s are my especial favorites. Welcome to the world of freedom of choice and responsible breeding. I wish you the best of luck with your new puppy and hope for a bright future.
Thank you for reevaluating your thoughts on
Breeders.
We must see the bigger picture, and see where the AR movement is taking our society regarding animals. Not just pet ownership is endangered, but all activities we enjoy with animals. Not just activities but the way of life of many people involved in the food industry, including those in eduction in agriculture, vet schools, farmers, ranchers, etc. Won’t preach any further to the choir about the insidiousness of AR supporters….just that we need to look above our own disputes.
While I agree with the spirit of this, and agree that the hobby breeder is the one that is the most ethical responsible breeder, and the show ring fads have absolutely changed most breeds to the negatives, I wish you had gotten into any breed but American GSDs! I think dogs must be preserved to the standard for which they were created and this breed in all segments is being taken far far from the utilitarian and balanced animal it was designed to be. Another discussion, because the European dogs, the working lines, are still the closest to that design, even though they are also severely compromised, but not to the extent that the show ring has caused.
Thank you…for opening your mind and learning.
Throughout the “dog fancy”, in every breed are the people and dogs you’ve come to know in GSDs. We work hard to turn out dogs sound in mind and body.
And we are the people who put our hearts and souls and money into canine health research.
Thank you for making this post. You could have quietly gone your way but chose to be honest. I hope your comments section isn’t filled with hate.
Thank you for changing your mind about purebred dogs. Although Flat Coated Retrievers are my “Dog of Choice”, I don’t think people really understand that there ARE GREAT breeders!!! Not all are backyard breeders that only care about the money & not the love & care of the dogs!! We have our 5th flat coat now, and his breeder checked ME out better than an employer would check out references of an employee!!! They even checked with my vet first!! And I do not show dogs, never have. We are a pet home, but after opening up my heart to flat coats, I can’t see me ever having any other breed. And I suffer somewhat from a form of prejudice in the flat coat world, I own the forbidden YELLOW FLAT COAT!!! And I LOVE my breeders of all 3 of my dogs!!!!
Welcome to the correct side, well done.
I think it can go both ways. One of my favorite breeds is the Papillon and I admire and respect responsible breeders. On the other hand,backyard breeders and uncontrolled in-breeding has dramatically altered the looks and damaged the health of certain breeds like the Pug and English Bulldog. I’m OK with cross-bred designer dogs and there is certainly merit with the idea of infusing new blood from a similar dog breed into that of one with serious health issues. And I love Lurchers,Longdogs,Feists,Curs,Potcake dogs and Laikas who are not purebreds but rather types. And I agree that the more rabid Animal Rights groups(PETA&ALF prime examples) has done a lot of damage. I’m fine with rodeos and circuses providing that they aren’t abusive.
Bravo.
Beautiful post & so glad to see how you’ve opened your mind to new possibilities.
Thank you.
Your post sums up the turning point so many of us have when we decide to have dogs in our lives. The relationship between humans and animals should not be ignored, disparaged, or legislated out of existence. They are us and we are them. Once you feel it, you can’t unfeel it. I am so glad you and others have found those moments when you know your life will not be the same.
Amazing. <3 Happy for you and your family.
While I’m very happy you’ve seen the damage the AR movement has caused— you mention your posts condemning pugs still gets shared and how your Bulldog posts made you money. Have you changed these posts or have you left them to monetize on the AR groups that still refer to them?
I have so many posts that it would take months of work to fix them, but I have deleted the ones that are making the rounds now.
Welcome to becoming a part of the solution.
How nice that you’ve become one of the show people (dripping with sarcasm). I’m sad that I even came back to your blog. I won’t make that mistake again.
What is the source of your data regarding hip dysphasia in English Shepherds?
My source is the OFA. A slightly higher percentage of English shepherds have HD than GSD, but in GSD not all lines are as affected. American show GSD tend to have better hips than the entire breed, and in that breed, lines almost operate as sub-breeds.
Preach!!!