Physical superiority

[El Patron]

This is my first post here so, hi everyone! and I wasn't sure were to put this so I Don't think the miscellaneous could hurt.

My question is. Is the Czechoslovakian Wolfodg physically more capable then the German Shepherd. Is it more capable then most dogs in general? Can it run faster, jump higher, does it smell better, is it stronger, etc.. Or is it almost the same physically and the differences are more in appearance and psychology.

[avgrunn]

Originally Posted by El Patron

Is the Czechoslovakian Wolfodg physically more capable then the German Shepherd. Is it more capable then most dogs in general? Can it run faster, jump higher, does it smell better, is it stronger, etc..

In my opinion yes, at least when it comes to GSDs.
Of course there are different breeds created for different purposes, so there are faster dogs than vlcaks, there are stronger dogs, those who are better in trailing, but they are like that because they specialise in that certain field
All in all vlcaks have pretty good speed, jumping abilities, their smell is really good. Of course if you choose a vlcak which is after heavy parents he won't be that fast and jumpy as a light one.

[El Patron]

^

I have read the history and know that the purpose of breeding a GSD with a wolf was to create a "better" dog, but it got me wondering if by diluting the wolf genes and breeding for more dog mental characteristics, if it actually made the CZW almost identical in the first place. Which would in affect contradict the hole purpose of the breed.

Any one else have more thoughts on this?

[GalomyOak]

Identical to the GSD...surely not. There are some who are more similar to the GSD in structure, some who are more similar in personality, depending (as stated before) on who the parents are - but as a whole, there are definite differences in personality and in structure (if bred correctly). A correctly bred CSV should be lighter/faster than a GSD (more shallow and narrow chest, longer legs, shorter/straighter back, different angulation of the legs). Most are natural trackers and trailers...not necessarily physically better than a GSD, but they are more independent and think more. This can actually be a difficulty in competitive tracking (not trailing), because the dog is expected to blindly keep it's nose to the ground (as opposed to air-scenting, and cutting corners - trailing - which is more time-efficient, but less precise). They are much more independent than the GSD by genetics, and also by inadvertant breeding selection, and go through a different development, which can (and should) trigger a different training response and timeline from the owner/handler...leading to a much different dog overall.

[El Patron]

My question was more about physical attributes then mental attributes. (Its good you listed them any ways though)

What I wonder is, why are CSV's slimmer then GSD's. I've read that Carpathian wolves are not as heavy set as American wolves but they are still larger then GSD's.

So what happened that made CSV's slimmer then GSD's? And are they slimmer and taller? slimmer and the same height? or slimmer and shorter? Is there to much variation to say any thing definite?

(Note, all I know about the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is what I've read, so I'm just information gathering at this point.)

[avgrunn]

As far as I remember GSD females are (when it comes to height at withers) from 55-60 , males are 60-65 not more. Vlcaks height at withers is:females 60 and up, males 65 and up. Of course there can be smaller vlcaks, it happenes.

Slimmer may be the wrong word, lighter I guess would be better. Vlcaks are lighter , their bodies are shorter, the angulation of their legs is different more of a wolf. Thus they are faster, they have better endurance, they regenerate more quickly. But as I said before, there can be heavier vlcaks, it very often comes with the height, not always, but very often thus they are taller but also heavier, which changes their physical abilities.

[yukidomari]

Standard sized CsV are taller than standard sized GSDs. But their build is lighter and narrower.

But I note that I see many (the majority on the street) of GSDs that are just too huge, a major departure from the standard, and similar for CsV, many that are too heavy-built (deep chest, short legs, long index). So of course what I said applies to only typical and ideal CsV and GSD.

[saschia]

Oh yes, they are slimmer, in sense that their ribcage is narrower and so is the positioning of the front legs, they are placed kind of in line with the sides of the ribs. Their elbows are tucked in, so they are narrower, their rib cage is narrowed even more in the bottom part of the chest, so the elbows have anough space. Combined with longer legs, they are therefore also lighter than similar size GSD.

They are I think stronger in comparison to similarly muscled GSD, and thanks to their intelligence they can abuse their strength.

Also, their teeth are more robust than GSD, and the canine teeth are longer.

It is hard to say about speed, as I rarely see wolfdog running at the top of their abilities.

My opinion is that from the point of view of pure physique, average wolfdog is better than average GSD, even a well-angled (= natural, not modern show type) GSD.

[avgrunn]

Originally Posted by saschia

Oh yes, they are slimmer, in sense that their ribcage is narrower and so is the positioning of the front legs, they are placed kind of in line with the sides of the ribs. Their elbows are tucked in, so they are narrower, their rib cage is narrowed even more in the bottom part of the chest, so the elbows have anough space. Combined with longer legs, they are therefore also lighter than similar size GSD.

In that sense they are slimmer , though I've seen vlcaks bigger than GSDs , bigger in every sense, and I am not talking about the long haired ones which are definitely bigger. I guess vlcaks are more compact.

[Aranwen]

Originally Posted by El Patron

This is my first post here so, hi everyone! and I wasn't sure were to put this so I Don't think the miscellaneous could hurt.

My question is. Is the Czechoslovakian Wolfodg physically more capable then the German Shepherd. Is it more capable then most dogs in general? Can it run faster, jump higher, does it smell better, is it stronger, etc.. Or is it almost the same physically and the differences are more in appearance and psychology.

Hi,
Over many years my brother and I have kept Dobermans, a German Shepherd, Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, a Golden retriever and a few cross breeds - my impression is that, pound for pound my CsV is physically stronger than any of these dogs, he certainly has larger, stronger teeth than any other dog I have seen. A direct comparison is difficult as my Akitas were much heavier, up to 50 kgs as opposed to my CsV's 32 kgs. My brother's male Malamute pup was huge, 32" and 55kgs by 1 year old but teeth and jaws were no stronger than my CsV.
I am certain that the CsV's senses are difficult to beat - very acute hearing and eyesight, much more acute than any dog I have seen, together with a keen sense of smell and a certain 'hardness' not found in most dogs. Physically my male CsV is faster and more agile than an Akita or Malamute but not as psychologically strong or aggressive. Psychologically , at 16 months old, he is still a baby and so it is too soon for a formal comparison.
I doubt whether comparisons like this are ultimately useful though; rather, what is important is not to underestimate the CsV and to treat it with respect and sensitivity.

[TimoleonVieta]

I had a German Shepherd bitch many years ago, and after 15 months with my CSV I would say physically they are utterly different specimens. From my limited experience with my CSV; to compare I would say her stamina, acceleration, turning ability, anticipation, balance, ease of movement are all on a different level entirely to my dear departed GSD RIta. The CSV also seems to "know" there physical potential & seems to fulfill this potential with ease & great understanding of it's limitations. So if against a faster dog, different tactics will be employed to gain the upper hand. CSVs do not like being outdone.

Swimming, climbing & jumping my CSV is also on a different plane than GSD, entirely different plane. The movement is so liquid in all 3 abilities. For sheer speed though I doubt there would be much difference between a very fit GSD & a very fit CSV but at the first jump or manouvere the GSD would be left behind.

The scenting ability of the CSV can be frightening as I am sure people found out during their employment for border patrol. If I am in the city we are off lead, but I must be very careful as if Apogee catches the scent of any friends or worse "family" she will run like chasing a hare, so it is not just the scent that is better than my GSD it is also scent memory that is far stronger I think.

The only thing physically I can remember Rita doing as well as Apogee is eating really if I'm honest. Oh & howlling, both breeds are very good at that! Perhaps the daytime sight of the GSD is as good if not better? someone else with more knowledge than me of the breeds will know this though..

Having said all this, my comparison is based only on my personally owned dogs. Not all CSV's will excel physically & I have even met rather fat wolfdogs