American x West German showline crosses? - Page 20

You certainly haven't done the Amline any favors, HighDesert, but purporting that you care more about beauty than functionality x.x

There's MORE to a dog than just movement (or a V rating, or drive so far out the yang the dog can't hold still).

The German Shepherd Dog should be first and foremost about temperament/intelligene, then health, and conformation last.

I agree that if I'm going to buy it, I have to like to look at it, but I won't take a "pretty dog" that can barely move over the "uggo" that kicks major butt in any sport venue I put him in.

First I will stick with my "regular wife" she is both "sturdy" as well as fun to be around.  I don't have to wait for her to put on make -up just to go thru the sonic drive thru. and as an added bonus we have these things called "conversations"

Temperment  and sound nerves should be our first priority in our breeding.

Just remember  Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff might be nice looking but I have probably saved more people from drowning. 



I wish you well in your endeavors

To tell you the truth, I am glad certain people are so enamored with the ASS.  They like what they have done, so they should stick with it and leave the GSD alone.  This thread was originally about whether or not Am Lines and German Lines should be interbred.  I vote an emphatic NO.  It would be no different than throwing good money after bad anyway.  The Am Lines are too far gone.

" I vote an emphatic NO"
Then I'm glad people like me are around to get a sound dog that has a rear but also has a work ethic

To give the OP some advice and not just bashing, I think it is an excellent idea.  I am a big fan of mixed lines, I feel that done properly, with lots of thought given to the strengths and weaknesses of both the sire and dam, you should get a dog that is well balanced in temperament and structure.  I've seen many dogs that were half German showlines, half American showlines and have seen them excel in both AKC and SV style rings.  There are many Am. showlines out there that have OFA excellent hips, as well as other health testing such as cardiac, thyroid, cerf, etc.  I guess it really depends on what you want out of the litter.

As to the claim I've seen on this database multiple times that German showlines are healthier, I refuse to believe that.  I work at a vet office, and we see a fair number of German Shepherds, some I know were imported directly from Germany, others are clearly German showlines, and a few American byb pet lines.  The German imports have the most health problems I have seen in my life.  Pannus, IBD, Elbow/Hip Dysplasia, Allergies, Cauda Equina Syndrome, the list goes on.  Clearly some unethical breeder in Germany shipped their crap over to the USA for a large fee.

The best dog I've had was a West German, DDR, American cross.  Did well in every venue I trained/showed in.  Nice conformation, good nerves and drive.  My newest addition is a West German/DDR cross, while he's still a puppy, he has great conformation and strong drives.

"Please stop rationalizing with the BS like home sizes. "

Smaller home size generally implies greater population density. Greater population density means that there is greater chance that a kid can stray into your yard.  The same goes for the need for cover on swimming pools etc. (Desert Ranger)

And???? 

All the more reason to have a well bred, stable, confident,  dog, rather than some useless fear biter dog bred for nothing but the AKC show ring.   Pretty is as pretty does.  Oh but I forgot, you think the fact that a bitch barked through a door is proof of courage and makes her really special.  Wow.

Did anyone see the coverage on dog breeding and probems on night line?
JPTAGAS

I did.

Geez, July, I'm not bitter. It's just that some nights, I have an extra scotch or two and then I run across some keyboard "authority" handing out advice about something they have no clue about and disputing people who have been there and done that.

Mystere, people have those pups for one reason. They pump them into the $1500 a pop pet market. A puppy mill is someone who produces pups for no other reason than their bank account. Whether it's 1 litter in 3 years or 100 litters a year, the motive is the same.

I'm out of this thread. Can't waste any more time arguing with these "showline experts" who have never actually put a dog in a show.

Oh, by the way, my new pup did very well at a very large conformation show this weekend (200 entries). He is also showing good potential for sch. We'll see.

Best,
Rick