What are distinguishing features that separate German Bred German Shepherd Dogs from American Bred ones?

Answer 1

The main physical difference that I have noted is that "American" Shepherds are typically lower-slung in the hindquarters. These are the dogs you might see actually walking on their hocks.

German-line Shepherds are descended from strictly working dogs. In Germany, to register a litter, both parents must have working titles. In GSDs, the most common title is Schutzhund, what we know as Police Dogs. Dogs who have to prove they can obey, attack and track.

These dogs are much more intense than typical American-line GSDs. They require a very strong owner, as they are exceedingly confident and will dominate the household if the owner isn't capable of the job themselves.

I have had Shepherds from both lines. My German-line Shepherds were always alert, always defensive, never welcoming strangers into the home. Everyone outside the immediate family was considered a direct threat. Yes, with extensive training, I was able to control them, but it was always a challenge, always an issue...everytime anyone new came over. The dogs were better behaved in public, but I still had to keep a close watch on them at all times. And yes, they did actively go after people, on several occasions. Had I not been alert, someone could have been bitten for simply moving too fast, waving their arm or shouting.

My American-line Shepherds were always willing to protect, but they didn't consider every new person to be an ax-murderer. They would bark when someone came over, but were willing to calm down a few seconds later and be petted. Only one of the 5 American-line Shepherds we had ever went after a human, but that was after the human physically attacked my brother...the dog was justified, in everyone's eyes.

Answer 2

Working German Shepherds (German bred schitzhund) have a more level back, and very little in the way of hip dysplasia. For some stupid reason, American Breeders think that sloping back is a good thing -- it is not --- it predisposes the dog to early lameness. There are some vets who do hip replacements for these dogs, it is expensive, but just avoid the breed, or get a German bred shepherd. Be sure you get to see the parents!!!!! Or skip the breed altogether, and buy a cross mix, or another breed. Actually, mutts and healthier than any purebred anyway.

Answer 3

German bred canine have a shorter saddle than the yankee bred shepherds, sure the German breed has greater hips and a touch longer physique, the German(Czechoslovakian) line has a tell-tell sign of mole like marks on each and each cheek with coarse black hair on them,additionally they have greater if a grayish tan mask,and a touch greater desirable head, interior the previous century or so the yankee bred has been bred all the way down to have slightly shorter legs for the desire of velocity (maximum police depts now use American bred canine)and has replace into the determination of Shepherds for working purposes. yet I nonetheless Love my German/Czech line, i does no longer have the different I even have had Shepherds in basic terms approximately all my existence....LOVE MY canine..

Answer 4

While there is one good answer already here, I would like to add that hip dysplasia occurs with the same regularity in American and German bloodlines of German Shepherd dogs. The SV only discards the dogs with severe hip dysplasia from breeding and the German a-stamp hip program allows "fast normal" meaning dogs with near normal hips, and "still permissible" which is given to dogs who don't have severe hip dysplasia.

The German dogs are divided into two very distinct groups, the working dogs who have the more level toplines and which are seen in all the colors of the breed that the SV accepts, and the conformation show dogs, which are usually saddle patterned black and reds (the German show people interpret uniformity as trying to produce dogs as cookie-cutter alike as possible, even in coat color and pattern and even if a bit of hair dye helps to create the rich colors!)

The "roached" or "hunched up" back is often seen in the German show dogs, just as the extremely angulated rear is seen in the American conformation ring. Whereas the American show people seek the flying sidegait, the Germans seek to have a dog that looks like it can gait for hours and hours and never get tired or sag its topline. The roached back came about as a way to keep the dog, even if tired, from sagging its topline and appearing weak backed.

All breeds tend to have specific structural elements that the conformation show breeders and judges concentrate on, to the point of going too far sometimes. In some breeds, it may be coat, in others it may be head. In the German Shepherd dog, its gait. As long as judges put up dogs that are extreme in some way, breeders will try to produce what it takes to win. If the judging of German Shepherd dogs was changed so gaiting was slower, and if judges were more critical on clean movement coming and going, the breeders would change what they select for accordingly.

People involved in working competitions however, aren't as interested in these points, as in having a dog that is strong, shows endurance, and can score as close to a perfect score in working competitions as possible. They are choosing for a whole different set of characteristics within the range of the breed standard, than the conformation people select for. A show dog only needs a passing score in Schutzhund in Germany whereas a person competing in working trials, wants the perfect score.

Answer 5

The location where the dog was born....

Answer 6

they bark in german and eat nothing but saurkraut and knockwurst

j/k

Answer 7

The ***PEDIGREE***!
Period.