Crossing Lines - Page 1

Why is there starting to be more and more instances of german breeders crossing lines? Kirschental, Grafental... especially with East German dogs?

I think that the reason you are seeing some line crossing is because of the issues of health, temperment and drive. If you look at alot of GSD showline pedigrees there is a heck of alot of line breeding and this has been going on for many years. Comparatively speaking you do see the same type of line breeding in GSD workingline pedigrees. So I think that the answer that some breeders have come up with is to create some genetic diversity by crossing the lines. If done carefully it can be a very good thing.

Cheryl

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG is A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG!!!!

Sure there are lines that are crossed, but hey!  New blood is new blood!!!

Wake-up & get with the program!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And then you also have survival of the fittest!

Like this little bugger (Always remain close to the food source!)

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't you just love this breed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Thank your dog for allowing YOU into their life, and be lucky your dog hasn't mauled you yet for being maybe a little 
boring at times...............watch out, that dog needs some sort of entertainment!!!!!!!!! "

That is the cutest picture!

You are right about this is a German Shepherd Dog!

It does not matter whether we are talking about show lines or working lines they all have their strengths  and weaknesses. We should all be concerned about health, temperment, drive, and conformation of our dogs. I have personally seen some very nice dogs that were a mixture of show and working lines.

Cheryl

I was under the impression that Kirschental has always used some "working line dogs" in their breeding program.

Good post Cheryl,

As long as breeders continue to place TYPE over genetic diversity, there will be decline in temperament. Line/in breeding can be an asset, but when you have more concern in using a dog that improves what you lack because he may infuse something that destroys the uniformity of your type, you are slipping down the path of mental deterioration. This type of breeding for type for 15 plus generations is new to GS breeding and is a major reason for the mediocrity of the breed in the showring temperamentwise.

I agree that if type is the only consideration there will continue to be a steady decline in health, temperment, and drives. There is also the popular stud dog syndrome that contributes to this. A dog that goes VA or places well in the working dog championships is used very heavily. Before you know it this dog is in a majority of pedigrees and it becomes very hard to get out of the bloodline. Prime examples of this is VA Ursus and Fero.

I think we as German Shepherd lovers need to look at the whole picture.

The Kirschental kennel in Germany has done the crossing of the show/work lines off and on for years and has been very successful at it.

Cheryl