WHICH LINE IS MOST VALUABLE????? - Page 2

Kitkat,

There is nothing wrong with a coat (long stock) other than greater maintenance demands. However, USCA and SV will not survey, and so will not register the progeny. The same goes for other seemingly trivial faults that are severe enough to disqualify. I have a young coated male that did not sell quickly most likely as his ears stood later than those of his siblings. He is developing into a beautiful and impressive young dog with excellent temperament. (Ando vom Haus Harshbarger) While a pet is a luxury most breeders cannot afford, I will keep him. Of course what you do is only YOUR business, but breed enthusiasts make it THEIR (our) business to comment when a practice affects the breed. Best Wishes, Jonah

The most valuable German Shepherd dog, to me,  is the one lying at my feet as I sit here typing this. He is ever patient as I tend to matters that do not involve him. He is never jealous of time I spend with my grandkids. He loves all children and puts up with their antic which sometimes might bother him. He allows a birthday hat put on him for a party, or a cowboy hat for a  photo. He saved and raised an antelope and taught her how to be a good GSD. He is tolerant of visiting wildlife that need temporary housing ...such as the Western Greb that spent 3 days in the guest bathtub. He sleeps with a cat who depends on him to keep   warm. Soft dog? No siree......bring out the toys, please! Play ball! Tag! Fetch! Water game! At age 10 1/2 , he still plays with great exuberance. Obedience.  work.... always perfect. Danger near? His bark is deep and very serious and will bark and  hold any suspicious person until I command him off.  That he does not have a string of expensively won letters after his name does not decrease his value to me.  

In no way am I disrespectful of all the accomplishments of others, so please no bashing my dog. If you wish to bash, let it be me. I have other dogs and hope to have the privilege of titling one of them. I salute all the breeders and trainers that have many years of experience in the German Shepherd world.

iluvmyGSD, I found your post to be profound !!   Very Correct, and Very Heartfelt !!!   

To answer the ? at hand,  Which lines do not make the determination for me,  Health and Temperament are first and foremost for me personally.

I have always said it and will stick to it,   regardless of the beating I will receive for it !

Health, Temperament, Workability !   and YES in that order !!

You have nothing without good health,  You also have nothing without Temperament,  Workability is the variable here,  NOT EVERY gsd in the entire world HAS to have any job,  Some do,  some are k-9's, some are SAR, some are Drug,Bomb, and other.....ect. ect. ect. 

BUT every single GSD in the world SHOULD have the love of family, and SHOULD be allowed to LOVE that family back.  The fact is that he/she can WORK all day at said above jobs and STILL come home and be a loved FAMILY MEMBER !!    That IS how they started out !!!      Herding/working all day,  being a family member/family guardian in the evening.   Until that is someone decided that they MUST ALL go into "Working" homes ONLY.

For those who will go on the ATTACK for this before you do,  Answer me this please....

Who decided that the GSD was PURELY a working dog ???   by that I mean a dog who MUST have a "job".

and yes I know they are "classified" as Herding Breed.

"Take this trouble for me: Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have worked my life long for that aim" - Captain Max v Stephanitz

Sueincc, I think that pretty much sums it up.   Excellent response.

Quote:

Who decided that the GSD is purley a working dogs?

Wow what a question for a GSD breeder to ask.......

Ever heard of a guy named Capt. Max Stephanitz?

"Take thes trouble for me. Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled my life long for that aim"

and

"The breeding of shepherd dogs must be the breeding of working dogs. This must always be the aim or we shall cease to produce working dogs"

If you have never heard of him, he is the founder of the breed. I guess he is the one who decided the GSD is a working dog.

Sue,

It seems we posted at the same time.

Great minds think alike

GARD, same as what I said to Sue, Excellent post. 

GARD & animules:  The ratpack shall rise again!

von Stephanitz also said something to the effect that the most "noble" working career for the GSD was that of herding sheep!