Not about labradors, but still important I feel Jemima's report on GSDs I am saddened and shocked to see that GSD show breeders are still breeding dogs with deformed hindquarters. This upsetting video filmed it would seem just last week, shows three young dogs whose hips droop and whose back legs are clearly wobbly and weak. I find it extraordinary that the KC are still allowing this to carry on. Comments have been disabled for this youtube video but if you would like to express your dismay, you can at least click the dislike button. You can find the video on Jemima's blog in the link above Pippa
Re: Please Dislike: German Shepherd Dogs STILL being bred with deformed hindquarters Hi Pippa, Yes it is abseloutely shocking that these well known breeders along with many others in the Breed side still continue to produce puppies for the "changing fads". If you look at the shoulder/upper arm angulation of a Breed dog compared with one from a working line one you will also notice a big difference, EG working line dogs compared to the show dog tend to have what the show people call "short, steep upper arms" But it dosent stop them working. Many years ago my partner and I started going to breed shows and quickly learnt that they (majority) were two faced and only interested in one thing "MAKING MONEY" Whenever there is an opportunity for easy money to be made, (breeding) people will jump on the bandwagon! Dont get me wrong there are some responsible breeders out there as no doubt this also goes on with the working side too. In my humble opinion there are too many puppies being bred, take a look at the hundreds of un wanted dogs in the rescue shelters around the country!! Sorry getting upset now as this makes my blood boil. Paul.
Re: Please Dislike: German Shepherd Dogs STILL being bred with deformed hindquarters I think one of the saddest things Paul, is that the show breeders genuinely don't seem to be able to see the state that the dogs are in. I do hope this changes soon.
Re: Please Dislike: German Shepherd Dogs STILL being bred with deformed hindquarters I read all the comments on the blog and was shocked not only at the at the state of the dogs but at the attempts at justification for the purposeful breeding of dogs like this. I feel most sorry for the dogs who with an enthusiasm for life have basically been bred with a limited physical ability to enjoy it. It just shows how important it is to do your homework on the type of dog you want and then find the right kind of breeder with the right kind of principles. I feel fortunate to have found the people who bred Riley. Barbara
Re: Please Dislike: German Shepherd Dogs STILL being bred with deformed hindquarters I think it's sad that the respondents that defend the look and gait of the show pups, are completely unable to look at evidence objectively
Re: Please Dislike: German Shepherd Dogs STILL being bred with deformed hindquarters I am not sure that we teach children to evaluate evidence any more do we? It was one of the first things on the curriculum in 'general science' when I moved up from primary school at eleven. I may be wrong, but I don't think thats the case any more.
Re: Please Dislike: German Shepherd Dogs STILL being bred with deformed hindquarters Interestingly this has now been returned to the GCSE exam syllabus, however teachers don't seem (in my experience as a science tutor) to actually be teaching these skills - it is a really common place for students to fall down in the exams. Sam.
