Correct temperment, What is it? - Page 3

The goal should be to maintain the original standard period, regardless of the changing times.
It's either a German Shepherd Dog or it is not.


 

That's really an oversimplification, Moons. With the "correct" temperament a GSD  can be whatever we want it to be. 

What does the original standard say about temperament? Was the will to serve mentioned?



 

I saw what Stephanitz wrote at one time, I do not have that handy at the moment.
The will to serve in one way or another is covered but perhaps not in the same words your looking for.
A GSD can be whatever we want it to be as long as it is within the capabilities of the breed.
In other words a GSD is not a hound, it is not a terrior, it is a herding breed and all that goes along with that function.

The biggest flaws I see today is the lack of direction and no regards for the standard.


 

Post Topic:  Correct temperment (sic), What is it?

Look at the title; Read it. Comprehend it.  The first word is correct, it does not
say STANDARD.  The 2nd word, well I won't go there... .

At one time, I was a mind reader too, until I couldn't regurgitate anymore. I'm
sure glad of that, because today I can think for myself.

This is not intended to be show vs working dogs. I have a few different lines, popular, well known showlines, numerous VA1 dogs in the immediate lineage, I also have very well known, popular working line dogs, and of course, I have pure DDR dogs, again, from well known, popular bloodlines.
    As my dogs all live with me, as a part of a family/pack, I see no real difference at the end of the day, as far as their temperaments go. Each and everyone has their own personality.
     Each and everyone Is willing, and eager to please me. They are all wonderful with my grandkids. They all alert to the arrival of a vehicle or person to my house, there are a couple that are a little 'friendlier' to visitors than I would like, just as I have a couple that would be more than happy to give you a bite.
    I do however live by myself, well, not really by myself, I have a few K9 companions.
    There is not one of my dogs , that do not fit the standard for German Shepherds. Could everyone of them go out and get certified police dog? Certainly not. Would everyone of them go out there, and give It their all trying, In an atteMpt to please me? Without a doubt.
 Just as every one of them would certainly stand at my side, whatever situation would arise. And yes, i do have 100 percent confidence In that. Those are the things that are important, to me.
   Despite the fact that my dogs all live togeather, and love the fun times they enjoy with each other, everyone of them seek my attention, and approval. IT IS impressive, how eager to please, this breed is.
    t
There is so much more to these dogs, than people give credit.
 

"The ideal of the Society was to develop Police trial Champions out of Exhibition Champions, our shepherd dog therefore, was further developed by dog lovers as a working dog. The Standard by which he would be judged and approved was this, namely:–utility is the true criterion of Beauty. Therefore our dogs exhibit everywhere to-day (in a fittingly developed frame, and never as the caricatures of Nature, the greatest of all teachers) a build of body, compacted and designed for the highest possible efficiency, spare and powerful, with wonderfully well-proportioned lines which immediately attract the connoisseur, who soon recognizes that it imparts to its owner a swift, easy gait, a capacity for quick turning and powers of endurance."

(von Stephanitz, 1925)p163

The man did not say police trial champions or play dog sports little old ladies would develop in the twenty first century....

What are "little old lady play dog sports"? 

I think correct temperament is inherited and genetic. You can judge temperament of a green dog better than a trained dog as good training may hide or make a fault less noticeable. A GSD with a correct temperament is fearless, not afraid of strangers, sure of itself, aloof but not hostile or aggressive, eager to please, biddable, alert and intelligent. A GSD with a correct temperament should make a good companion before anything else, should be able to relax when he has no work on hand.
A GSD with correct temperament is a working dog and should be able to do various jobs such as herding, guarding, tracking, ....., an individual GSD is not supposed to be excellent/best performer or extreme in each and every type of job. In a well bred 20 GSD puppies one should be able to find a suitable individual prospect for any sort of job/or almost.
A GSD of correct temperament should be safe with and around children, he should be able to tell a genuine threat from a false one. A GSD with correct temperament should be balanced and not extreme in any way, an extreme GSD is a faulty one. A GSD who can not settle down and relax during resting time is of faulty temperament, at the same time a GSD who takes half an hour to respond to a call from his owner is of faulty temperament.
These are my thoughts on correct temperament as an ordinary/average GSD owner who loves both work and show strains.
If you are fair enough and subjective you can see there are as many faulty temperaments in  work GSDs as there are in show GSDs.
 
Ibrahim

Ibrahim,

Fear is the foundation of defensive drive.

Would you have German Shepherds with no defensive instinct?

Jim Engel

I especially like Dawulf's link because the picture of the puppy next to the Early Development section is my dog!