German Shepherd/Wolf-Shepherd breeding - Page 1

Good day all.

My baby girl is about to turn two and I'm considering breeding her. She is an amazing animal; intelligent, gentle, loyal and obedient. She demonstrates shy tendencies. I don't believe this is attributable to her personallity, but rather how she was treated by the breeder I bought her from. Her protective and hearding instincts are wonderful. She stays close, sitting at my feet wherever I am in the house. And she clearly reads people; whether fearful, threatening or friendly. When introduced to a new experience she is initially apprehensive but fearless after. I purchased her at 14 weeks, one of two remaining from the litter. She is not a bad dog, but I believe if I'd have gotten her sooner, she'd be better (read to mean with proper handling her shy tendencies wouldn't exist). She is AKC registered pure bread. He mother was a 2 year old sable at 90 lbs, her father a 3 year old white pushing 120 lbs.  I have not had her elbows or hips certified yet and haven't had her tested for DM. I will not breed her until I do. And although I've worked basic obedience with her on my own, I haven't had her in any formal training yet. Her one fault is she lacks focus....when set on a task she is easily distracted by things like cats, squirrels, strange people, etc... She is not vicious with smaller animals. I have cat that she loves to play with. Consequently, when she sees a cat or similar small animal in the yard she wants to do the same (chase, play, etc..). She obeys commands to heel when excited by these sights, by it is monentary. I know this is correctable with more work.

A lengthy prelude to the question that prompted this forum post. If I decide to breed her, I want to do it intelligently. I am aware of the irresponsiblity that has diminished the quality and health of the German Shepherd and I don't want to contribute to the desecration of the breed. In researching the German Shepherd breed, I've learned that historically, one in the many animals that contributed to its heartiness, intelligence, protective pack instincts, etc....was the wolf or wolf-dog hybrid. I am curious to hear thoughts, intelligent thoughts not emotionally based ranting, about breeding my shepherd with a wolf or wolf-dog(shepherd only) hybrid. As I noted in the parenthetical, I won't breed her with anything but a wolf-german shepherd hybrid. Just as if I choose not to breed her with a Wolf-Shepherd hybrid I will only select a sizeable German Shepherd sire from a healthy working dog stock. Again, my intent is to promote the best traits of the breed, a return to the German Shepherd's of past prominance if you will.

I will close with this. I know wolf-hybrid breeding is a sensitive subject. Technically, all German Shepherds are wolf-hybrids. And although I know you can't change an animal's instincts, I am a firm believer in the impact of proper nurturing/training, knowing your pet and responsible handling. Most cases of vicious dog attacks are the result of mishandling by owners, not bad dogs. So again, please keep responses to knowledge based, intelligent information. No negative emotion please. Your input is appreciated.

I seriously doubt you will get any positive feedback here. I have one piece of advice. Don't do it.  I am sitting on my hands now....

if she is still fearful at 2 years that is gentic, with proper socializing she should have  be fine by 1 year of age. also breeding to a wolf hybrid what are you thinking???????

"A lengthy prelude to the question that prompted this forum post. If I decide to breed her, I want to do it intelligently."

In a word, you can't.  I'm sure your dog is wonderful and you love her but she is not breed worthy based on the standard.  Millions of unwanted dogs are euthanized in the U.S. every year.  By breeding your dog you can accomplish nothing except add to those numbers and put your dog's life at risk should complications from pregnancy or whelping arise.

I wish we could just hit "Like" on the replies like we can on facebook.. lol

I'm a  strong believer that shyness is genetic,  not enviromental. 
Breeding a dog like that to a wolf would really be asking for trouble IMO.
I honestly can't say I'm a fan of breeding any dog to a wolf. :)

You asked us to keep our responses knowledge based. From your post I understand that;
Your girl is........
.....AKC registered
.....Is out of parents who are oversized per the breed standard.
.....By a sire that is not a breed standard color.
.....Does not have her hips or elbows certified by OFA or SV.
.....Has not been tested for any inheritable diseases.
.....Has not passed any breed worthy temperament testing.
.....Has not had her confirmation evaluated by a Judge to ensure that she meets the breed standard.
.....Has not done the endurance test.
.....Shows signs of weak temperament characteristics. Clinging to you, being shy, and lack of focus.
.....Has not done any work (Herding trials, SchH trials, SAR, Service, Military, or Law Enforcement) to prove she has the traits that we all love so much about the GSD.

I'm sure you love your girl and think she is the best dog in the world. However, just because we love our dogs and think they are the best dog's in the world does not mean that those dogs should be bred. I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear but sometimes we don't always get what we want.

On top of all that, you are asking a German Shepherd Dog forum if you should breed your girl to a Wolf Hybrid or out cross breed. That alone is enough to start a lynch mob on this forum.

If you are truly concerned about the betterment of the GSD breed, and it sounds like you are sincere, don't do it.

Cheri

Cheri that was a "to the point" response. Very nice...lol

I dont think you are going to get any answers here that you like. And honestly if you really have to come here to ask if its a good idea then it probably is not.

And no the wolf hybrid idea is ludacrious and not a smart breeding idea in anycase.
 

Wolves are shy animals, and breeding a shy German Shepherd to a wolf hybrid will likely make this trait MUCH worse.

Wolf/dog hybrids are unpredictable. There are certain genetic characteristics in the wolf that make them unsuitable for pets: for example, shyness and very strong prey drive, which can cause them to attack and kill small animals and even children. You have no way of knowing whether the GSD/wolf hybrid pups will inherit the wolf type temperament, or be more similar to a dog. It's a craphshoot with very high stakes, and I'd hate wind up on the losing end with a huge lawsuit.

Breeding and keeping wolves and wolf hybrids is also illegal in many places, and your animals can be confiscated by the Humane Society, and will likely be euthanized.

Please, DON'T DO IT!

CLC29,

You were very kind.

Bk2PUR. Back to pure? I don't think so. Your dog is NOT breedworthy in any way. That doesn't make her a bad dog, it just means DO NOT DO IT!

With respect, look at the standard. Look at olde pictures of proper dogs. Forget outsized, nervy, poorly bred animals....and whatever you do, DO NOT CROSS WITH A WOLF OR WOLF HYBRID!!!