Hello! May I ask why you went with a GSD for an SD? I've been considering one for a while, but I'm struggling to figure out why someone would go for a GSD over a Rough/Smooth Collie as an SD, if it's that unique herder disposition they want. I love GSDs, but they have so many lines and a fair amount of health issues (bloat and spinal problems being my main concerns), and I'm interested in knowing why you decided on one. Sorry if this is invasive!
I went with a GSD for a Service Dog because I’ve always been involved with working dogs. Whether that is service dogs, protection dogs, etc. I was actually having a similar discussion with one of my roommates about this in the last couple of days. I will happily train a client’s easy puppy for them - say, a Golden Retriever or Labrador. But after that, I desperately want to give it back. The reason? I get bored. There isn’t enough drive in that dog to keep me interested. And for most pet people, that works just fine. They don’t want a dog with malinois energy. They want a dog that will follow commands, be content with the semi-occasional walk and at the end of the day, fall asleep on the couch whilst its person watches television before bed.
To me, that is an absolute nightmare. I want a dog that will push me just as much as I can push it back. I don’t just want a challenge. I need it.
With a German Shepherd - a breed that I have plenty of prior experience with - this seems like a run of the mill no-brainer. I don’t require psychiatric tasks, per se, so with a dog that possesses the potential to excel at service work, this turns out just fine! I, however, do not recommend the breed as a whole to folks looking for a dog to become their service dog prospect. They have a much higher washout rate than most, especially when selected from sub-optimal lines for the work or dogs that have not even been temperament-tested at all.
I personally do not mesh well with collies, amongst other breeds that are seen as soft and cannot take a harder correction without feeling unsure of themselves. Training them is fine, living with them is a completely different kettle of fish.
As for the lines of GSD, that is fine for me, personally, as I have been involved in the German Shepherd world for long enough for me to have experienced the lines of the breed, from various show lines to various working lines to know exactly what I prefer and what I mesh with.
Regarding the health issues, the spinal issues can be solved by testing for the Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) and ensuring that the parents are clear or there is only one carrier within the pairing.
Bloat, on the other hand, is a risk with all breeds over a certain size, German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, even Poodles, and Collies. There is the correlation that it is genetic and in over 20 years of breeding, my breeder for Bipha has only had two cases. That speaks volumes compared to other breeders that I have seen, both in this breed and in others.
Note: Never feel as though a question is too invasive. I am happy to answer any and all questions put towards me and there are very few that I would deem too invasive.
