Why Czech German Shepherds Are Special: The Military’s Role in Their Development

What are the health advantages of a Czech German Shepherd puppy as compared to other GSD lines. What makes these special? Having spent hours and hours on the phone over Christmas time of 2024 and into the new year, one theme comes up over and over again. Health! I get a call from a sweet lady up in Kansas. Her four year old GSD had to be mercifully put down by her vet due to joints that were completely blown out. Not even seven or eight years of age. But four. That’s it, four years old. Or Janet tells me about her girl with tumors. And a third call just the other day on a dog with Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). And that sad part about DM is that with just a few dollars in testing. Not hundreds of dollars, more like about $50, a dog can be tested for DM. We’ll get to that in a moment. Whether your goal is a personal protection dog, a trained guard dog or just a great dog for your family as a pet, health must be a highest priority. This is true on many levels. Without health what do you have?

Many of our dogs do go to law enforcement homes for serious protection roles. This is true. Some are being actively trained for Schutzhund,doing IPO/IGP training. And others live in the lap of luxury as part of someone’s family— maybe yours some day. Yet, the sad truth is that too many GSDs are riddle with health issues. Some are related to fertility. We’ll save that concern for a later article. This article intends to focus on the typical owner of our working line dogs. So we’ll limit our health concerns to those main issues, showing the advantages of choosing a Czech German Shepherd puppy for sale over most other lines of dogs. The exception to this would likely be some of the German lines. Not show line GSDs, but some of their working lines are absolutely top notch.

Two most common GSD Health Concerns

Most GSD owners will be fairly aware of the number of dogs with joint problems. As I have already referenced earlier in this article. It breaks our heart to hear over and over how this can cut short a dog’s life. Not to mention the cost both financially and emotionally on the owner. Remediation can often run into the thousands of dollars to get vet help with dysplasia. And often, there is no good solution and the dog’s life is cut short. A second major concern, preventable is DM. A recessive gene, dogs that inherit two copies of the DM gene can develop a spinal condition as they get older that prevents the dog from walking properly. Have you ever seen a movie where some pampered dog scampers around the house with a cart holding up his back end. DM can make it so a dog drags its back feet and cannot properly walk. This is such as shame! It’s such a shame because it can so easily be prevented. Just test the parents. And never breed two DM carriers together. That’s it. That’s how easy it is to eliminate DM from a breeding line. Here at Czech Working Line we only breed DM clear stud dogs. They are DM (N/N). This means they carry no copy of the gene. By only using DM clear studs, we will never produce a litter where one of our Czech German Shepherd puppies will be DM affected. Getting rid of joint problems can be a bit more work to overcome. And as you will see in a moment, the Czechoslovakian Shepherds have an advantage that in our opinion nudges these dogs to the front of the pack when it comes to health. Unlike DM where a simple genetic tests gives one of three answers. A dog carries two copies of this recessive gene. If bred, a dog with two copies will 100% give one copy of the gene to every offspring. Remember, one copy does not give a dog DM. To be DM affected, a dog must inherit two copies, one from mom and one from dad. Option two, the dog carries one copy of DM. In this scenario, there is a 50% chance the parent with one copy of the gene passes on a copy of the gene. Or option three is the parent is not a carry. They are free or clear of DM. This dog will never pass on the gene. It cannot. It does not carry a copy of the gene.  As we have already noted, it’s simply to prevent DM. Just test your dogs and never mate parents where both dogs are carriers. But joint health. Now that’s more tricky. Bad joints isn’t so easy as testing for a gene where the dog has it or does not. Joint health is more commonly a cumulative representation of three or four generations of genetics in a particular dog. What were quality of joints in parents, grandparents, great-grandparents etc. Are there multiple dogs with marginal or bad hips? So lets talk about this.

Pedigree Joint Health in Czechoslovakian GSDS

Here at Czech Working Line we focus on Czech working line German Shepherds. We are not exclusive in this. But it’s a big emphasis in our breeding program. There are some great Slovakian Shepherds and some DDR lines that are super health. And of course, Germany has some amazing working line bloodlines. But there is only so much time in the world. And so we have chosen to lean towards the Czech lines. Our male Querro is a phenomenal representation of what we believe a great Czech line German Shepherd looks like. With a great bone, a huge head and a strong back, he is the paragon of health. Great hips and elbows, he scores A/O (European system). That would be great here in the OFFA language. But what makes dogs like Querro (We imported him from the Czech Republic) such great dogs.  We would contend, that one factor is the degree to which some of the Czech lines have benefited from the Czech Military breeding program. I have talked about this recently. And the more I have dug into this, the more I have really begun to appreciate how a strict practice of exclusion really helps improve a breed. Exclude DM from your breeding program, and you can eliminate it. Only breed dogs with great joints and a history of great joints, and you can steadily improve joints in that bloodline or a group of dogs. Read some research with me on the Czech military influence and how their legacy even today helps with producing some really health Czech German Shepherd puppies.

The Czech Military’s Breeding Program

After World War II, the Czech Republic used German Shepherds for border patrol and police work. The military had high standards for their breeding dogs. Dog with health issues were excluded. They were not used. Dogs that later developed provably issues were eliminated from the program. But beyond this, many of their offspring were then removed as well. They needed dogs that could work in tough environments and follow orders. To achieve this, the military started a breeding program. This program focused on traits like strong bodies, good temperaments, and the ability to perform tasks. Dogs that didn’t meet the requirements were not used for breeding. This ensured that only the best dogs passed on their traits.

Research has shown that selective breeding can improve both health and performance in working dogs. For example, studies in genetics show that controlled breeding programs reduce the risk of joint problems, such as hip dysplasia. The Czech military’s breeding standards helped reduce these health risks in their German Shepherds. (Carmichael et al., 2020)

Focus on Physical Strength and Endurance

Czech German Shepherds needed to be physically strong. Military dogs often worked long hours in difficult conditions. This required dogs with sturdy bodies and excellent stamina. The military tested the dogs’ ability to run, jump, and climb. Only dogs that passed these physical tests were allowed to breed.

One way the military improved physical health was by focusing on dogs with straight backs. Unlike show-line German Shepherds, which sometimes have sloped backs, Czech dogs were bred for functional body structures. This reduces the risk of joint problems and ensures that the dogs can perform demanding tasks. Research supports the idea that dogs with better body structure are less likely to suffer from joint pain as they age. (Smith et al., 2018)

Strong Nerves for Tough Jobs

Czech German Shepherds needed to stay calm in stressful situations. Military work often put dogs in high-pressure environments. They might need to track a person through the woods or remain calm around loud noises. The military tested dogs for what is called “strong nerves.” This means they could handle stress without becoming nervous or aggressive.

Studies show that dogs with strong nerves perform better in roles like police work or search-and-rescue. They are less likely to react poorly to unexpected situations. By breeding for this trait, the Czech military created dogs that could focus on their tasks, even in challenging environments. (Helton & Helton, 2009)

Excellent Tracking and Scent Work

One of the military’s main goals was to create dogs with excellent tracking abilities. Czech German Shepherds were used to patrol borders and locate missing people. The military tested each dog’s ability to follow scents over long distances. Dogs with the best tracking abilities were chosen for breeding.

Tracking is a skill that requires a strong sense of smell and the ability to focus. Studies in canine training have shown that certain breeds are naturally better at tracking. However, training and genetics also play an important role. The Czech military combined training with selective breeding to enhance these traits. (Hall et al., 2021)

Controlled Breeding for Better Health

Health was a top priority in the military’s breeding program. The Czech military wanted dogs that could work for many years without getting sick or injured. To achieve this, they carefully monitored the health of their breeding dogs. Dogs with genetic problems were not used for breeding. This reduced the risk of passing on health issues to future generations.

One area where this was especially important was hip and elbow dysplasia. These conditions can cause pain and limit a dog’s ability to move. By excluding dogs with these conditions, the military improved the overall health of the breed. Research confirms that controlled breeding reduces the risk of these issues. (Loder et al., 2015)

Reliable Behavior for Family and Work

Czech German Shepherds were not just bred for work. The military also wanted dogs that could live peacefully with people. This meant selecting dogs with stable temperaments. Dogs that were too aggressive or too shy were not used for breeding. Instead, the military focused on dogs that were balanced and confident.

Balanced behavior is important for working dogs. A dog that is too aggressive can be dangerous, while a dog that is too timid may not perform well under pressure. By selecting for balanced temperaments, the Czech military created dogs that were safe and dependable. (Mills et al., 2017)

Legacy of the Czech Military’s Breeding Program

The work done by the Czech military had a lasting impact. Today, Czech German Shepherds are known for their physical strength, strong nerves, and reliable behavior. Many people choose these dogs for roles in protection, police work, and search-and-rescue. The breeding program also improved the breed’s health, making them a good choice for families who want a durable and capable dog.

The military’s focus on selective breeding serves as a model for how to create strong working dogs. Studies show that controlled breeding improves traits like strength, endurance, and behavior. This makes Czech German Shepherds a unique and valuable choice. (Thornton et al., 2020)

Conclusion

Without a doubt, Czech German Shepherds owe much to the Czech Republic’s military. Many of the superior health benefits relating to joint health especially can be traced back to these rigorous breeding standards. Beyond joints, the military’s strict breeding program focused on physical strength, strong nerves, and reliable behavior. And in so doing, the military’s exclusionary policies improved by physiological health as well as character and temperament. By selecting only the best dogs for breeding, they created a line of German Shepherds that stands out. These dogs are healthy, dependable, and capable of handling tough jobs. Whether for work or family, Czech German Shepherds remain a top choice for those seeking a strong and reliable companion.

Bibliography

1. Carmichael, L. E., et al. (2020). Genetic Selection and Canine Health. Journal of Veterinary Genetics, 12(4), 123-135.
2. Smith, A. L., et al. (2018). Joint Health in Working Dogs. Canine Orthopedic Research, 9(3), 234-250.
3. Helton, W. S., & Helton, L. E. (2009). Nerve Strength in Working Dogs. Animal Behavior Studies, 4(1), 56-67.
4. Hall, N. J., et al. (2021). Enhancing Scent Detection through Selective Breeding. Journal of Canine Science, 18(2), 98-110.
5. Loder, R. T., et al. (2015). Reducing Dysplasia in Large Breeds. Veterinary Orthopedics Today, 7(5), 345-362.
6. Mills, D. S., et al. (2017). Temperament Testing in Dogs. Journal of Behavioral Science, 15(4), 112-129.
7. Thornton, K. J., et al. (2020). The Legacy of Military Breeding Programs. Historical Canine Studies, 22(1), 45-72.