German lines at AKC? - Page 1

I am looking to get a German Shepherd puppy.  The more I research and go to shows the more confusing it is.  I want the athletic, protective, quiet minded dog that I can show in obedience, rally, utility, tracking, herding (no professional bite work).  I live in SO OR and it is small AKC and Open Breed shows put on by local clubs.  I want a low - medium drive dog.  I don't care if it is German or American lines - it just needs to be healthy with a solid temperament.  The German working line people say stay away from the German show line and vise versa.  The German line people have nothing good to say about the American lines and the American line people say the German lines are too aggressive and wound up.  Can anyone recommend a breeder for dogs that have solid temperaments for the home and that I can show in local clubs?  We do not have any SchH clubs here so I will not be showing there.  I owned a GSD 20+ years ago, I don't know what line he was, just that he was the best dog in the world.  Things are so complicated now, any help is appreciated. Thanks!

If you want healthy with a solid temperament, you have a better chance with a working line. They dont have to be ultra high drive(not sure of your definition), and if your dog is high drive, it's much easier to tone it down than trying to build it up in a low drive dog. If you go to germansheperdguide.com, under "articles" there are some that describe the different "types". But temperament, health, and nerves are generally much better in WL, and that euro lines are wound up, aggressive, maneaters is a bunch of poppycock.

Thanks Cthulhu.  Know any good breeders in Oregon /CA?

Pick the dog you like and find a way to transport it. Geography is a lousy criteria to select a longterm partner;-)

My personal opinion is to go to shows, clubs, agility meets, etc. and see whose dogs you like, then see what lines they are. The American dogs DO get a bad reputation, and I'm sure it's not totally deserved. I have not been impressed with the ones I've known, but admittedly, I've never run in the arenas where the really good ones would be found. Aggression is a non-issue if the dog is stable and you have half a brain. What it sounds like you want is stability and balance, same as many many other people, myself included. 

If you want "low drive" I bet what you really want is a good "off switch." If a dog has a good off switch, it matters not if the drive is through the freaking roof. I have a bitch right here next to me that is higher drive than I'd intentionally ever breed (though I'm her breeder, LOL!) BUT she is soooo exceptionally ladylike and calm in the house that her out-the-wazoo drive is a non-issue. She adapts to the situation, as a good GSD should. 

Just a few ideas...hope that helps. 

From what it sounds like you will be alot happier with a working line dog if you havent got one yet, personal message me and i will tell you about a litter on the ground in wis. and not way over priced like some are.

I also agree with a good workingline dog as you want to be able to compete with it. Training and competing with a low drive dog is as much fun as beating your head against the wall and about as effective - I did that with my first couple of american dogs and am so glad to have discovered there's better out there. You don't need to get a crazy high drive dog like my little demon spawn, but there are plenty of balanced middle of the road workingline dogs out there with a good off switch. By going with a good breeder, you increase your chances of a healthy stable dog, so don't limit yourself to area.

In case you like working DDR lines there is a working kennel in northern cal in case you want to talk to the breeder in person and see the pups in person and not have to ship the pup on a airline. There is also a working kennel in western washington state in case you just robbed a bank and want to spend some big money.

Hi,
I live in Northern California. I do not breed but have had GSDs since 1996. I have and still do IPO, Tracking and AKC obedience.. please email me with your contact information and I will try to help you find the dog you are looking for.

Jyl
dukenheim@yahoo.com

Here's the reality of your situation from someone who has done what you listed in your original post. If you want to compete successfully in the local AKC shows you will need an American style GSD and a handler to go with it. Sorry folks, that's just the way it is. If you would like to attempt this with a German dog, better get something with some angulation. Doesn't need to be extreme, but it will have to move to be competitive in the ring. That's going to be your German showline. If you want to go for AKC titles with a medium drive dog. There are both show and working lines with medium drives. I agree with what has been said. Find the right dog or you wherever it is.