Straight back gsd

Richard tea · 14-09-2016 1:49pm #1

Starting a new thread as the old one is closed. Anybody any reviews from priderock kennels in enfield or alsace royal kennels in donegal? Also any other recommended breeders of straight back gsd? Preferably the Midlands but I'm willing to travel.

Ms Doubtfire1 · 14-09-2016 4:27pm

Plenty of those in rescue....:D

DBB · 14-09-2016 7:08pm

I'm not familiar with Pride Rock, but nothing about the pics on their website fills me with huge confidence. Firstly, there's one pic only of an adult dog standing up in a not quite full side view. I am always suspicious of that, despite assurances of straight backs.
Now, I can see from the one not-quite-side-on view pic that the dog has a straight back... But her hind leg conformation looks awful. Straight back she might have, but I'll bet those hips are a problem.

Alsace Royale dogs I have met. Generally, they're fine big dogs, but again despite their straight backs, their hind legs make me feel all is not right. I have met one of their dogs who was bloody dangerous temperament-wise, he had perhaps not had the most fulfilling socialisation period, but still... This did not shape his underlying questionable temperament. They have a reputation for being nice dogs, but this fella would make me hesitant to buy a pup from them.

What is it you want the GSD for? A pet dog? A specific activity?

Choc Chip · 14-09-2016 8:55pm

I don't have anywhere near the experience of DBB, but I had a quick google of the both websites earlier and found it weird that pride rock don't show any pics of the pups in the house. They're all outside or on straw. At least Alsace Royale say that they'll be socialised to household noises and other animals. I also thought that the pride rock prices were surprisingly low: €250 - €500, or up to €750 depending on colour? Weird.

Richard tea · 14-09-2016 9:17pm

I don't think alsace are even breeding anymore. Well they haven't responded to emails anyway. Haven't tried ringing yet though. Priderock did have a working Facebook page a few months back with alot more pictures but I think it's closed now. In want another gsd as a pet. My current one is 10 years old and fairly blind due to pannus. If no straight back gsd breeders are suggested I will settle for a slope back type. It will be a pup I'm after and I'm not in a hurry. Do good breeders have a certain time of year for litters? Or does the season matter?

deadlybuzzman · 14-09-2016 10:12pm

Contact some people that do IPO they seem to have a good network and hip health is a must for them. I've seen a few working GSD's up here (one was czech line) that were IPO dogs

Dubs1990 · 14-09-2016 10:33pm

Richard tea wrote: »

Starting a new thread as the old one is closed. Anybody any reviews from priderock kennels in enfield or alsace royal kennels in donegal? Also any other recommended breeders of straight back gsd? Preferably the Midlands but I'm willing to travel.

Hi,

I Have a working line german Shepherd Who I am training up for working trials, if you contact a few of the Schutzhund clubs (GSA Ireland) they will be able to point you in the right direction I Got my pup of Tommy Murphy in cork. I have had no health problems with my lad and his temperament is superb and both parents were hip scored.people think been a working line they are nuts, yes they have a lot of drive while working but my lad is so chilled out while in the house. I have herd to stay well clear of alsace royal kennels by a few people.

VonVix · 14-09-2016 10:36pm

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

Contact some people that do IPO they seem to have a good network and hip health is a must for them. I've seen a few working GSD's up here (one was czech line) that were IPO dogs

That's the route I went down, ended up with a joy of a GSD, but he I would not think he would make a good "pet" for a family/person with a regular 9-5 job or a lifestyle that doesn't actively involve their dog.

My boy is high drive, always looking to do something with me the moment I get up off my seat. Hell I could be sitting here and he will be throwing his toy at me, literally, egging me on to go outside and do something with him. He is annoying as hell if you are tired after a long day, but great fun to train with. Even if I'm not feeling the best he will lie on the bed with me, as he gently throws his toy over to me so I can toss it back too him. His background (parents, grandparents, etc.) is mainly tracking and IPO.

It's VERY easy to end up with a GSD that isn't right for your lifestyle or a dog who is with an owner who doesn't have much experience with large breed dogs (by "experienced" I mean someone who has actively socialised/trained their dogs in the past... using up to date methods of course). It's amazing how mentally fragile a lot of GSDs are in this country, specifically the sloped back GSDs, many seem to be predisposed to being high drive and nervous, a dodgy combination. While funnily enough I notice most of the straight back GSDs that I have come across have physical issues of some sort.
Pure anecdote but it's just my personal experience with lots and lots of GSDs of various backgrounds.

Either way OP, I best stop before I keep on rambling, there is so much I could say on the subject... just be careful... don't rush because you happen to fall upon a puppy who looks nice. Meet the parents or the mother at least.
Are you wanting a puppy or adult dog? Great thing about an adult dog, is you can see what the dog's personality is like almost straight away, whether they are nervous or friendly.

Richard tea · 14-09-2016 11:18pm

My current gsd was bought from a breeder with many years experience. He shows his dogs and was or is part of gsa ireland. The dog turned out to have great temperament and is a great family pet. I'm looking at the possibility of putting him to sleep but that depends on the vets opionon. From reading the above I'm guessing a straight back gsd is not that important. Can anyone answer my question regarding seasonal breeding? My current gsd was born in Jan 07. So I'm guessing there can be litters any time of year

DBB · 14-09-2016 11:51pm

Litters can happen any time of year.
Please don't misinterpret my post above. A straight back is far, far preferable to a sloped back... A sloped back should be avoided at all costs. But a straight back is not necessarily any guarantee of good hips... The incidence of bad hips is considerably lower in straight-backed dogs, but you must ensure that a straight back is supported by good legs.

houdinibird · 16-09-2016 9:22pm

I have two Alsace Royale German Shepherds, one eight years old and one four years old. So far absolutely no health problems whatsoever. All Alsace pups are socialised with children from birth, and farm animals, sheep horses etc. My two go mad if they hear a childs voice anywhere, but it is 'come play with me' They can be rough playing tho, so need supervision as any dog does. Wonderful loving family pets, but not to be taken on lightly as by instinct they will guard , and need lots of attention and exercise to keep them happy.

GSDNI · 27-05-2017 3:07am

I am interest to know how you found dealing with Alsace Royale from beginning and after getting pup any follow up from them. We are looking about getting one of their pups but have concerns reading above posts. Are your dogs in the house and do you find them calm or easy to train? Appreciate any help you can give its such a big commitment and I loved their website describing their dogs.

GSDNI · 27-05-2017 3:23am

DBB wrote: »

I'm not familiar with Pride Rock, but nothing about the pics on their website fills me with huge confidence. Firstly, there's one pic only of an adult dog standing up in a not quite full side view. I am always suspicious of that, despite assurances of straight backs.
Now, I can see from the one not-quite-side-on view pic that the dog has a straight back... But her hind leg conformation looks awful. Straight back she might have, but I'll bet those hips are a problem.

Alsace Royale dogs I have met. Generally, they're fine big dogs, but again despite their straight backs, their hind legs make me feel all is not right. I have met one of their dogs who was bloody dangerous temperament-wise, he had perhaps not had the most fulfilling socialisation period, but still... This did not shape his underlying questionable temperament. They have a reputation for being nice dogs, but this fella would make me hesitant to buy a pup from them.

What is it you want the GSD for? A pet dog? A specific activity?

Can I ask when you were at Alsace Royale German Shepherds and was it one of their breeding dogs that had the bad [font=Open Sans, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]temperament? I have never met their dogs but their website conveys them to be very much family dogs. Are the very big dogs? Can I also ask your background with GSD I just appreciate any advice given it is such a big commitment long term its important to get it right. Thank you[/font]

GSDNI · 27-05-2017 3:24am

houdinibird wrote: »

I have two Alsace Royale German Shepherds, one eight years old and one four years old. So far absolutely no health problems whatsoever. All Alsace pups are socialised with children from birth, and farm animals, sheep horses etc. My two go mad if they hear a childs voice anywhere, but it is 'come play with me' They can be rough playing tho, so need supervision as any dog does. Wonderful loving family pets, but not to be taken on lightly as by instinct they will guard , and need lots of attention and exercise to keep them happy.

I am interest to know how you found dealing with Alsace Royale from beginning and after getting pup any follow up from them. We are looking about getting one of their pups but have concerns reading above posts. Are your dogs in the house and do you find them calm or easy to train? Appreciate any help you can give its such a big commitment and I loved their website describing their dogs.

DBB · 27-05-2017 7:00am

GSDNI wrote: »

Can I ask when you were at Alsace Royale German Shepherds and was it one of their breeding dogs that had the bad [font=Open Sans, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]temperament? I have never met their dogs but their website conveys them to be very much family dogs. Are the very big dogs? Can I also ask your background with GSD I just appreciate any advice given it is such a big commitment long term its important to get it right. Thank you[/font]

I was not at their premises.
No, it wasn't a breeding dog, but when they were contacted about this particular dog, they shut up shop and didn't want to know. Take from that what you will.
They are big GSDs.
Of course they're going to say their dogs are the bee's knees on their website! I've never seen a website where something's for sale on which they run the product down! So it's a good idea to track owners down to get an idea of what various dogs from various lines are like.
My background is in behaviour. I also own and work GSDs as professional sniffer dogs, albeit on a small scale.

houdinibird · 27-05-2017 10:11am

Hi I cannot say enough about Jackie and her dogs! They are her life and if you buy a pup from her she will support you all the way even for years. When you go to choose a pup she will do her best to pick a pup that is suited to your needs and lifestyle. There is no guarantee regarding temperament when buying a pup but she will do her best. We have our dogs all the time in the house everywhere! Beware they shed terribly and I mean terribly. We particularily wanted guarding dogs one is really laid back the other is quite hyper. Very easy to train as unbelievably clever think three year old child. Both extremely good with children but to be safe be cautious with strangers as with any dog. Have had absolutely no health problems and am still in contact with Jackie after nine years on facebook and know I cd ring her any time if I had a problem. When my two go I will hope she wd find me an older pair to replace them as I am no spring chicken! Have to say tho don't get a shepherd if you are a couch potato and only have small garden they love exercise and all your attention

houdinibird · 27-05-2017 11:27am

Also don't think they are suited for living outdoors too much, as they just want to be with you all the time, they love the couch, your bed is best if they can get it, and like to follow you to the bathroom

Just as an addendum to previous posts sometimes when a dog is badly handled from young it can have problems with behaviour which are not always down to the breeding or the breeder. Also a shepherd usually has 9-10 pups and by nature not all will be suitable as pets or cd have a health problem. Bad handling is i think the major cause of bad behaviour.

maryedmoore · 19-09-2019 11:30pm

DBB wrote: »

I'm not familiar with Pride Rock, but nothing about the pics on their website fills me with huge confidence. Firstly, there's one pic only of an adult dog standing up in a not quite full side view. I am always suspicious of that, despite assurances of straight backs.
Now, I can see from the one not-quite-side-on view pic that the dog has a straight back... But her hind leg conformation looks awful. Straight back she might have, but I'll bet those hips are a problem.

Alsace Royale dogs I have met. Generally, they're fine big dogs, but again despite their straight backs, their hind legs make me feel all is not right. I have met one of their dogs who was bloody dangerous temperament-wise, he had perhaps not had the most fulfilling socialisation period, but still... This did not shape his underlying questionable temperament. They have a reputation for being nice dogs, but this fella would make me hesitant to buy a pup from them.

What is it you want the GSD for? A pet dog? A specific activity?

A pet and watch dog

DBB · 19-09-2019 11:44pm

Resurrected old thread. Thread closed.

Straight back gsd

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