New does not = uneducated or ignorant - Page 2

Echo, the only morons here are those who abuse this site for the purpose of airing grieveances and mud raking. By the way the compelling reason for isolating lines within the breed is that we limit genetic diversity and therefore improve the predictability of our results. The real geeks among us stay up nights studying pedigrees to trace desirable and undesirable characteristics and so on. Of course there is a need for balance which can be had breeding to diffrernt branches of the same tree.

I just wanted to respond to Ginny, with all due respect, I don't agree with the statement about herding not being much use today. There are still many sheep farms across the world, in the US most of them only use livestock gaurdian dogs (or llamas). For those that do herding in the US the vast majority are border collies and aussies. However, there are sheep farms in the US that only use GSDs, and I am positive there are still many sheep farmers in Germany who use GSDs. Nobody ever sees them because sheep herding competitions don't make money like the show ring, and aren't nearly as flashy and energy filled as bitework competition. Most sheep herders probably don't even have the time to get very involved in showing or schutzhund, since they are out there tending their flocks because they have a REAL job to do. That being said, I love the show rings, and I love working competitions....but there is nothing quite like the feeling of being where you can see open land for miles upon miles and the sheep are grazing and the dogs are either trotting far off in the distance or sitting right by your side and everything is quiet and peaceful, there is no stress, no headaches from the tension and excitement of the shows....just a blissfully warm fuzzy calm feeling. My personal dream is to own a large white dorper sheep farm, organic and grass fed only, and I will be using shepherds to tend my flocks. makes me think of just a couple of weeks ago when I was at church, the pastor was talking about Moses who was a sheep farmer before God called him, and about how boring the sheep farming must have been...the Pastor asked if there was anyone there who wanted to be a sheep farmer and I was the only one who raised their hand....out of 500+ people. LOL

Yes, back in the day(Biblical times) sheep herding was at the very bottom of the list, when it came to professions.

Like the sayings goes most good jokes have an element of truth in them. You can akin that to the common belief that you can't mix working and show lines. Their is an element of truth in it but it is not an absolute.

Echo, Zeigenfarm and Trailrider are right on the $$$$. I bred my showline to a working line stud and I got just what I predicted. Pretty with more drive than all showline. Every one who bought a pup of mine, are more than thrilled with them. I don't consider the diff dogs a diff breed, just diff types. Breed the kind of dogs you want to see and forget what others have to say about it. Everybody has aa oppossing view of what the "Ultimate" GSD entails. You can't change others opinions and they have no right to change yours. Like me, you may change directions in what kind of dogs interest you in years to come. I used to be a "sables are ugly" person when I was younger. They still aren't my favorite but I would never turn one down, if it gets the job done better than a dog of another coat color. I love my sable the most out of all my dogs. Preferences are just that, you are fully entitled to have your own. Love your dogs, give them the best care and do your best to pick a match before you breed. Other than that, have fun.

Right on again Echo. What matters most is that YOU love your dogs and that thay fulfill what YOU want. And BTW keep up the great posts, I always look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Sounds like a lovely dream Echo. Hope you see it come true someday.

4Pack, Thank You :-) Me too, If it does all on this board will know about it and have an invitation ! we be hoopin and hollarin all the way !! :-) LOL Proud Shep Pop, Thank You so much, I watch your posts as well, I find your willingness to share your past expeiriences very enlightening and so unselfish of you, Thank You for all you do for those who seek sound advice, Your certainly one of the frequents here whom in my opinion gives that Sound advice freely without bias ! I for one truly appreciate all your efforts. Thank YOu :-)