What do I need to ask for? - Page 5

LOL, looks like we all responded at the same time. The good news is we agreed on everything - phew!!!

Gosh, that makes perfect sense now. Thank you for clarifying that for me. You guys/gals help me feel more confident each day that I'm going to find the "right" pup...a healthy pup! 
Love ya man! 

Here are OFA's breeding recommendations based on DNA DM results:

http://www.offa.org/dnatesting/dmbreederguide.html 

I need to defer to your expertise once again please. I have tried to read up on this site the differences between "show line" and working line" GSD's, and I am more confused now than before I started down that road.  Can someone tell me in very basic terms the difference please...

Which line would I want to choose from for a companion pet that I am seeking?

Colour - showline for the most part are black/red, black/tan saddleback

Workinglines are black, sable, bi-colour, black/tan

Energy, - workingline are more in your face, ready to  do a job,  kinda like, whatcha wanna do, huh? huh?  but can and do relax when you relax,  although I did  have a Czech dog that was quite calm, although sharp.  My West German workingline is much higher energy.  Again, I think it depends on the lines and the dog.

Showlines may be a little less in your face, a little calmer.   I did have a wonderful calm intelligent showline, but that was years ago.  I'm not sure what is out there today, I'm sure someone on here can help you with that.

Conformation, showlines are perhaps more angulated in the rear and arched in the back, possibly larger.

 
All dogs are different, so ask the breeder that you choose. what the temperament of their dogs are like.  Some litters may have a more laid back puppy for you, from EITHER line. :)

These are just generalizations.  The best thing would be to check out a few breeders on your road trip of both lines and see what they  have! 
All the best!



 

You really are doing your homework.

Truthfully, you will find pet quality dog in both lines. In your case since you are looking for a buddy, it would be more or less just the difference in looks.
This is working line, to kinda give you an idea. I don't have an example of a black one..








OK now somebody else can post a showline example

@ Red Sable - I'm printing that out, it is an excellent description!  In all honesty, I am hoping for a black/tan saddleback. 

@GSDPACK - You're not kidding I'm doing my homework. I'm going to have to ask my husband to please eat a Lean Cusine one more night while I do research here! Ha Ha.  But seriously, I want to do my part in finding out what I can.  As much as I would love to just ask questions and get the right answers from all you kind people, I want to be respectful of your time and kindness. Could your dogs be any more cute!!!!!!!!  WOW!!!!

Thanks to both of you.

Go ahead and ask! This forum is here to share opinions and knowledge..

I just want you to make sure you know that even with two a stamp or OFA excellent parents there is a chance you could get a puppy who is dyplastic.  It is inherited but it is multiple allele and right now there is no genetic test, just X-rays of the parents.  So make sure you check the lineage as far back as you can as well as CHECK on the rating of the parents (with the OFA or SV..do not believe a website).  The Dm test can assure you that the dog will never develop that devastating disease. Companies like VetGen are researching gentetic testing for hip dysplasia and things like epilepsy, but we are not there yet with the science.  That is why you must have a guaruntee in your purchase contract.  There are several threads that discuss those warranties.  Again, an older dog at least would or could be tested for HD and DM, so maybe you could still rescue and get your black and tan.  Just remember when breeding for looks, color alone, then character suffers so look for a breeder that talks about health and character as well.  Also, I try to find out when the grandparents and great-grandparents died, and not just how old they were, but WHY they passed.  Longevity is heritable in people and dogs.

These are the genetic tests and who does them I know of curently available and most breeders on here do NOT do all of them:

Mucopolysaccharidosis VII PennGen, Laboklin
Pyuruvate Kinase Deficiency Laboklin
Multi drug resistance (MDR1) Laboklin, Finnzymes
Degenerative Myelopathy University of Missouri
Dwarfism Laboklin
Anal Furunculosis Genoscoper
Canine Coat and Nose Colour HealthGene
Coat length VDA, AHT

How the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is tackling inherited disorders
in the USA: Using hip and elbow dysplasia as examples
Here is the link to an article some might find interesting:
https://secure.offa.org/pdf/keller_dziuk_bell_vet_journal.pdf

I'm thinking at this point I would like to know what you all think would be a fair and common price range for a healthy...male...companion pup?  Thanks.