[Varda]

In some respects I agree with your post. There is a lot of breeding at the expense of health. The worst breeders in this regard however are people who breed "muffy" in hopes of getting another just like her. Casual dog breeders rarely have any idea that they should even test for genetic problems much less not breed a dog that has them.

The real problem with people not breeding for health is the buying public. It's not a consideration when faced with buying a dog. People think about health only after they get the dog. Then they care about health; then it's too late.

American GSD's can do S&R, it just depends on the interests of the owner.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Read up a bit on the subject. American German Shepherds are not used for search and rescue because of a deformity bred into their hips to achieve the exaggerated hip angle which is part of the AKC breed standard, extreme versions of which have been rewarded in AKC shows for many generations. Because of this hip deformity, the dogs are subject to serious hip injuries when negotiating the rough terrain common in search and rescue operations. Amateurs who use their dogs for volunteer search and rescue work may try to use these dogs, but professionals and law enforcement do not. They import their German Shepherds from Europe, where the breed has not had this defect bred into it.