American x West German showline crosses? - Page 1

Can someone who has done this give me some pro's and con's. Did you get what you wanted? I am considering it to get "new blood" into my German showline. I know about the American lines HD problems. I have concerns about the German lines years of being bred back to each other (seems like every other dog has Jeck in it's background and now Ursus is taking over). This can't be the ideal thing to happen. I have read previous posts that think it is not good. Does ANYONE think that it is a good idea? Just asking.

That has to be a joke, shepherds are working dogs not show dogs,period. Discussing American lines shouldn't even be on this website,this is for the serious enthusiast. American dogs are a different breed in themselves, there not German Shepherds. I hope this helps, I learned this lesson the hard way too when I first started out 17 years ago.

SH*T + (anything) = SH*T

My first GSD was half German show/working, half American. He was purchased from an AKC breeder who does this routinely. If you want his name and web site, PM me at Blitzengsd@adelphia.net

My male, Jake has mostly German blood but with slight of American blood from his mother side. His full name is Jake Banus checkout his pedigree. The only complaint that i have is that he doesn't look like a male but a bitch... I strongly believe that this came from the American line of his... as the males from American lines look like bitches. He doesn't have a whole lot of drives (guess this could be the blame from the american side) Overall Hes one heck of a great dog! Hes incredible! Jake and I had fun into achieving our very first BH together, which was special :)

Did not want to start the usual name calling. Just wanted some opinions. I do think calling American bred GSD's sh t is a little over the top though. I also think that being blind to the fact that thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) of GSD's are "shown" is, well, blind. And finally, I believe that there is a site for Working Dogs you can use for only working dogs. This site (GermanShepherdDogPedigreeDataBase) is for German Shepherd Dog enthusiasts, not working dog enthusiasts only. Thanks for the opinions. P.S. By the way, was Elvis a showline or a working line. My wife (and a zillion other wives) think he was showline. I think he was a working line. :)

I checked out Jake. Doesn't look like a female, just has a slightly smaller head than the "usual". Thanks.

Unfortunately the AKC and friends have created an animal that resembles the German Shepherd only in its propensity toward black and brown saddle markings. There are a number of excellent alternative lines. Some of these are brought foreward in Yello vom St.Michaels Berg. Depending on your location and mobility you might find the right stud on the database. Good luck.

There are many dogs that do extremely well who are all American or American x German crosses. The problem is most clubs do not practice "train what you have" in the United States. Instead, it is, let me ruin your dog not of the bloodlines I like so I can talk you into buying a good one from me or my associates. If it was just honest training and friendship with everyone working together to train some dogs, these kind of ego statements would not come up. The DVG nationals has even had Labrador Retrievers win their Schutzhund Nationals. Competing against German Shepherds, Malinois, Rotties, Bouviers, Schnauzers, Dobes etc. Bottom line best handler / dog team win regardless of breed or bloodline. As for American dogs "not having it". That's a bunch of Hooey. Your average back yard bred American German Shepherd, not AKC showlines, but pet lines bred down from dogs that were imported years back is an untapped resource and may be the salvation of the breed. Many police departments and department of corrections, take "donation" dogs of this nature. Regardless of its breeding or in spite of it, if you prefer. Many of these dogs do so well as patrol dogs (civil protection dogs). To often when they visit a schutzhund club they are run off by uninformed and ignorant people. Any dog regardless of pedigree and breeding or lack of should be give the opportunity to train and compete if their handler is willing to put in the work.

"The problem is most clubs do not practice "train what you have" in the United States. Instead, it is, let me ruin your dog not of the bloodlines I like so I can talk you into buying a good one from me or my associates." sad, but true Martin.