Johnson's Family Shepherds
Raising Champions, Protectors, and Family
MIXING THE EASTERN AND WESTERN SHEPHERD
Most often it is brought up that people don't understand the difference between the East German Shepherd and the West German Shepherd. I have heard, " they are both from Germany, what does it matter?" What matters is that before the onset of the Cold War, Germany was one nation. Great Britain, France, The Soviet Union, and the USA were allies during the World War II. As World War II was coming to an end, all four allies occupied Berlin. The German Shepherd was a pretty dog that was taught to herd livestock in Germany at this time. At the end of World War II, the city split into four sectors. A large dispute arose over the boundaries. Thus began the Cold War with the Soviet Union closing borders; hence the two nations for Germany were formed, West Germany and East Germany. West Germany and East Germany carried different beliefs and therefore began breeding the Shepherds to do different task and be presented differently during the war. ​
There were different breeding criteria for the West and the East for German Shepherds. Breeding criteria that differed from West Germany and East Germany was the DDR dogs could only be bred if they were completely free of HD. Dogs that had fast normal hips or lesser could not be bred. Dam's had to appear with her whole litter for an inspection of teeth, ear set, temperament, coat, total overall appearance and males naturally had to have both testicles descended by 1 year of age. East Germany strived to create perfect dogs to perform and be hard workers. Most East German Shepherds dogs were only worked if they presented high drive and aggressiveness. West Germany strived more for appearance; perfect colors and a calm, temperament. Drive, aggression, and health issues were not as a precaution for the West German Shepherds. ​
The West German Shepherds have become more popular than the East German Shepherd becasue the German Shepherd is used as a beautiful companion in most cases. The West German Shepherd can do everything the East German Shepherd can, but with more elegance and less drive. Breeding both the East and the West can produce outstanding dogs with characteristics of both East and West German Shepherds. High risk health problems presented mostly from the West German Shepherds can be diluted through the East German high standards for health. The beautiful appearance that is standard for the West German can be carried on to the East German. The drive and aggression can be shared. This will create dogs that can be loving companions, with high drive and a beautiful appearance with less health problems. Although it is true that with each litter you have a number of different types of pups and this is why monitoring and working with the puppies from birth is important to determine each temperament and ability the dog portrays. ​
In conclusion, the dogs began over sixty years ago being breed for different characteristics making each dog a perfect candidate to be both working and show quality dogs.
