German Shepherds
Goals
The goal is likely an ongoing pursuit of the unicorn, a dog with all the qualities I value in a working dog without the weaknesses that strengths often bring along.
In my view, the perfect German Shepherd is the owners best friend, with whom everything is possible. A confident dog that stands on its own but always acknowledges the handler's cues. A dog capable of reading situations, responding to threats with aggression without backing down, and at the same time calming down almost immediately when the situation is over.
I expect that everyday life with the dog is easy, with minimal reactions to basic distractions. At the same time, I want the dog to have enough motivation in training and genuinely enjoy its work. In my opinion, versatility is not achieved if the dog excels in certain aspects but has clear weaknesses in others: for example, being excellent in daily life but unable to sustain long training sessions, or being a powerhouse on the training field but experiencing a rise in blood pressure in social situations.
Additionally, health, appearance, and structure are crucial factors. Regarding health, there are PEVISA regulations in place, but unfortunately, they don't tell the whole story. Allergies, epilepsy, cancer, and many other health problems are visible in many individuals, and even official X-ray results can be surprising. If dogs with D/D hips move and appear structurally more capable than those with A/A hips, something has gone seriously wrong. This observation is particularly noticeable with show-line dogs on the training field. The skeletal structure may be excellent, but the build is so heavy or weak that the dog can't clear a one-meter obstacle. On the other hand, we encounter the opposite extreme, where a dog no longer looks like a German Shepherd at all. I believe there is a reason for the breed standard, and if a German Shepherd can look like anything, whether it's in terms of structure or appearance, how does it differ from a mixed breed? Size, angulation, and appearance are largely designed to support the dog's function as a working dog, but does this realization hold true when there are as many interpretations of the breed standard as there are readers?
I haven't encountered any unicorns yet. A few individuals have come close, and, of course, this definition is unique to each person. All dogs have strengths and weaknesses, and this doesn't make them better or worse as dogs. A dog can be an excellent companion but a poor German Shepherd, and its value should not change in the eyes of its family for this reason. However, for myself, the goal is to breed an open, friendly, cooperative, active, occasionally, when needed, dominant and protective individual.
