GSD (Is there such a thing as too much Drive ?) - Page 1

I know this topic has been talked about alot on differant threads, but is their really such a thing as too much drive as long as the dog in fully trainable,has a clear head and with a nice on and off switch ?,to me I would much rather have a very drivey dog that has high potential so I can channel the high drives and energy in the direction I would like it to go, I would much rather have the so called too much high drive dog as compared too little or just average drive,if a dog has little interest in doing bitework or finding drugs or a lost person out in the woods or finding someone in a blown up building you cant force the dog to perform like one can train a dog to do a force retrieve,it has to come from deep down inside them with the motivation they were born with,some of the better west german lines have the reputation of bringing nice high drive to the table and some feel they should be mixed some of the better czech lines to bring more of a balance and impove strong nerves,hardness,couarge etc, and I do see happening with good end results sometimes,I just hate to see some of the low drive dogs I,ve seen, including some under my own roof,any thoughts,ideas,comments ?

" , but is their really such a thing as too much drive as long as the dog in fully trainable,has a clear head and with a nice on and off switch ?"
This doesn´t describe a dog with too much drive.

I,m not understanding your point Susie is it your veiw that one cannot  have a super high drive dog that does not have a nice on and off switch ?

Yes too much drive for some might not be even close to what others want to see in their dogs,what I,m saying is as long as the the dog is in control and trainable and can be turned off when needed who cares how high the drives are.

"some feel they should be mixed some of the better czech lines to bring more of a balance and impove strong nerves,hardness,couarge etc, and I do see happening with good end results sometimes"

i see this more one direction ie czech line breeders bringing in west blood to do all these things you say to try stay in the competitive market and get away from the pet owners looking for "the old style real german shepherds" which has been the catch cry of so many czech breeders.

i don't see many high level west breeders trying to improve their lines by adding czech lines.

as for too much drive, not everyone that wants to own a gsd wants the same dog, some dogs have too much drive and some don't  have enough, it's about breeders matching their products with the needs of the new owner - thats all its about imo.

I sometimes hear things like well the dog has very nice drives but they are not in balance,does that mean a dog is brave enough to bite, but only when hes is in the mood after sleeping on the couch ? I like a dog with very strong nerves but if he has no interest in using his fighting spirit then whats the point.

vk4 yes some good points made and It does seem to be more czech blood is seeking to tap into West lines the the other way around,dont get me wrong I love the west German lines and the high prey drive they tend to bring but  sometimes I see some all west blood with very weak nerves and it can be improved upon for sure.

Yes I also understand the point that too high of drive is just too much for the average dog owner,but seems to me there is still plenty of need for drivey dogs in soo many ways,real German Shephards were,are, and hopefully will continue to be bred to do an honest dogs work day at the office.

could be wrong on this one (first time for everything), i don't equate high drives in the conventional use of the word with ability to work all day.

might be mincing words here but the practical work all day stock dogs i see every day come across as what most here would refer to as low drive, i invite any gsd anywhere in the world to stick with them day after day for 14 - 18 hour straight days evry day if not all day and all night droving.

there needs to be another word beside drives what everyone refers to and this other thing ie an even tempered dog with high work ethic, stamina and endurance, prolly makes no sense, you have to see it.

BTW "i see some" all czech dogs with very weaak nerves and some all X dogs with very weak nerves...., don't think you have thought that statement thru to well imo. i think it has more to do with particular breeding combinations than any blanket statements about lines. then there are lines selected for a trait other than nerves and the nerves are just who cares cos that isn't a selection criteria and it will not impact on their "work" or ability to perform in their chosen venue.

"Be Careful What You Wish For"....

Very few dogs come totally Balanced...Balancing Drives is an On-Going process...

~Bob~