Jul 04 2007
German Shepherds: Pure Bred vs Mixed
Within dog lover circles there is an ongoing controversy about whether it’s better to acquire a pure bred German Shepherd or one of mixed ancestry. The issue may never be settled to everyone’s satisfaction. But where you stand may depend heavily on the reason you acquired your dog.
For show dogs, police dogs and other specialized work a pure bred is generally the preferred choice.
Shows are interested in displaying the finest possible examples of the breed and only very specialized categories admit mixed breeds (and then, rarely). Even pure bred German Shepherds with white coats aren’t admitted to many shows. Some highly trained specialty acts that aren’t purebreds may perform, but they don’t take prizes in the regular categories.
Police dogs, whether trained for simple guard duty, drug search or other tasks, are almost always purebreds. True, you read articles or see films from time to time about a special exception. But they’re talked about because they are the exception. Most are acceptable only if they meet a very strict set of guidelines about body characteristics and parental background. Others don’t make the cut.
But for those just looking for a companion, the guidelines are looser.
Some mixed breeds are actually very beautiful. Though rare, a cross between a German Shepherd and an Irish Setter makes for an unusual, long-haired beauty with a sweet disposition. German Shepherds don’t have the tolerance for cold that, say, a Huskie would and getting a mix may be a good idea for those who live in the far north.
Mixed breeds may combine the best of both types, if the sire and dam for several generations back are chosen carefully. Mixing genes from different lines lessens the likelihood of certain diseases. That’s why mating is discouraged between closely related males and females. Genes that increase the odds of a disease and that are ‘recessive’ are more likely to be passed on and get expressed when both parents have them.
But mixed breeds are most often so because their ancestry is simply unknown. Here you get into risky territory. Certainly a mixed breed dog, from a shelter or private individual, can be a stellar companion. But the odds of behavioral problems increase, simply because you don’t know the dog’s history.
Problems can occur in purebreds too, of course. Some unscrupulous breeders will mate anything to anything just to make a buck, when they can get away with it. But most breeders are reputable and take great care to thin out genes that would lead to Hip Dysplasia and other genetically sensitive conditions.
If you choose a dog of unknown or mixed parentage, that’s a perfectly valid choice. But be prepared for a possible increase in problems to deal with. Dogs from shelters have often come from homes where they weren’t cared for and have absorbed bad lessons. Dogs of mixed parentage may well have weaknesses that aren’t obvious as puppies, since their breeding is usually unmonitored and uncontrolled.
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i shall send you my german shepherds pics. and tell me whether it is pure or mixed breed.
I bought a dog a few wks ago and the guy promissed he was a German Shepherd but everyone is laughing at me and saying he’s not b/c his ears dont stand up. He’s about 6 weeks old. can i send his pic so u can determine if he’s really a German Shepherd or not.? i’m really worried, he cost 200 dollars
I just rescued a German Shepherd mix day before yesterday. He had been living in a car with a vagrant who was arrested. My little girl ended up at a shelter, where, being locked up freaked her out so badly, she rubbed her face raw and tore up her gums on the kennel wires. When she tired of this, I was told, she would curl up and stare into space. A family took her home after 3 days and iminent euthenasia and put her pic and an ad on the internet. I know she and I were ‘meant to be’. She is the perfect dog for me and I waited almost six years to decide on ‘just the right dog’. I’m truly in love with my little Bella.
Noor Shah, Shepherd puppies ears do not stand erect until they are approximately 6 months old! Have fun with your puppy!
I am very interested in Irish Setter & German Shepard Mix. I had one for 12 years, Buddy, and we were so sad when we lost him; he was the greatest dog of our lives!!
hi ive got a female jack russel and looked after a male german shepard for 2 weeks when my jack russel was in season is there a chance she will have puppies
i bought two german shepherd before 1 week they are puppies and im not sure if they are pure but i m worried , one of them are full black and the other one is dark brown and little black in his back and his legs are white