Correct Conformation Working GSDs - Page 3

V Kanto vom Firecatcher SchH3 IPO3 KKL1lbz http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/368934.html

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/374313.html Ursus is a beautiful dog. Any word on how he is producing? I noticed no linebreeding in him which might be an advantage for some people.

Mine: V Carol vom Arolser Holz, SchH3, FH2, KK1, a1 ZB: 84 2x V rated in the German Sieger Show. 100% working lines. Possessing and producing excellent conformation, as are many of his immediate and extended family. Before that I had his great-uncle Pallo: also 100% working lines, and drop-dead gorgeous! They're around... You ust have to know where to look.

It is important to understand correct structure and the reasons for characteristics being desirable or undesirable. With a good working knowledge of GSD "engineering" a breeder can see a female objectively and choose a stud that complements and enhances what she has to offer. There are no perfect dogs, but by assessing the construction and movement of prospective breeding dogs as well as their existing progeny one can make the best breeding choices. Remember that progeny make the dog, NOT ratings. Also not all V's are the same just as not all SchH3's are the same.

Jake - if you are a fan of the 'golden middle' you might be open to mixing working and show lines. There are some nice results coming from such combinations, IF you are not looking for producing extremes within either camp (no top BSZS dog and no top BSP dog, rather as you said the golden middle). Even with a V rated working line male you will be sacrificing some of the structural qualities a top show dog needs. The result may still be V quality dogs, just not really for the top. Adding working line blood to the show lines will not necessarily improve working ability. Breeding rarely works by way of A+B=AB. What you want to achieve and what you can live with all depends on your personal breeding goal. There are lots of well structured working line males out there. Keep in mind that not every SchH enthusiast knows how to present a dog in its best light in the show ring. So many working line dogs are not rated as well as they could had they had the proper training and handling in that area. Or quite a few working line dogs get upgraded to an SG or a V or from KKL2 to KKL1 after they have proven themselves as a top competitor. Still the same dog though. Lots of show line males out there that do the work and also pass it on. Nokker vom Batu is a show line male with great working ability. He even has a special notation in his KKL report under Special Attributes (the right hand side of the KKL report) that he is "suitable for improvement and strengthening of the TSB qualities". Something you will not find often in the KKL report of a show line dog. He is a natural at protection work, his C scores are 96, 93, 95 for SchH1 to 3 respectively, different handlers, different judges, trialed at different clubs. Nokker is in the US. His pedigree is in the database. He is 75% the same bloodline as Larus. He produces nice, open, confident, lively and drivey pups with very good structure. Info available upon request. Good luck with your search.