Ways of evolving of CzW...

[GalomyOak]

It is amazing how a breed can evolve - for the better, and sometimes the worse. I enjoy looking back at the photos from modern CsWs parents, grandparents, and so on. There are many that a "new" eye to CsWs wouldn't be able to identify from looks - but those foundation dogs must have really exemplified the reasons the breed was created. It's so important to not lose the working features of a breed. The German Shepherd Dog in the AKC in the US has had major issues - people became too concerned with the appearance and gait of the breed, and it got to the point where the dog became less useful rather than more useful with evolution. Many, if not most, people today that are looking for a working line of GSD here buy from European lines - they are much more reliable than the many of the "top" AKC lines. It is wonderful that the CsW is still a mostly pure strain, with much importance given to the characteristics that make it a working breed in considering a breeding match. Hopefully, as the number of dogs within the breed expands, breeders will stay true and honest to the breed and it's purpose.

Originally Posted by wildenmorgen

It is amazing how a breed can evolve - for the better, and sometimes the worse. I enjoy looking back at the photos from modern CsWs parents, grandparents, and so on. There are many that a "new" eye to CsWs wouldn't be able to identify from looks - but those foundation dogs must have really exemplified the reasons the breed was created. It's so important to not lose the working features of a breed. The German Shepherd Dog in the AKC in the US has had major issues - people became too concerned with the appearance and gait of the breed, and it got to the point where the dog became less useful rather than more useful with evolution. Many, if not most, people today that are looking for a working line of GSD here buy from European lines - they are much more reliable than the many of the "top" AKC lines. It is wonderful that the CsW is still a mostly pure strain, with much importance given to the characteristics that make it a working breed in considering a breeding match. Hopefully, as the number of dogs within the breed expands, breeders will stay true and honest to the breed and it's purpose.

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I would reply anyway.

I've recently just started researching the CsV and one of the first things I've noticed is their similarity now to the beginnings of the GSD. I think it would be amazing to be a part of the start of a breed, like this, where, especially considering what we know these days about health and genetics, you have the opportunity to influence the direction the breed takes. I think that even if the breed's original function isn't in use, the dogs should still be able to perform SOME sort of work. This is why Schutzhund trials were created: to test the German Shepherd Dog's ability when it became impractical to test it by working it how it was originally intended.

Also, as far as the way the original dogs look compared to now, I think it's important to remember that dogs from the first litters of a breed are not going to be the *ideal* example of that breed. New breeds have to work towards something, that's why we judge and test our breeding stock, to get the best of the best and always strive for offspring that are even better and more ideal than the parents.

However, I am not a breeder, and I am very new to all of this. This is just my take on the situation.