Showline v Working Line - Page 2

I myself prefer the working lines over the show lines although I do have a pair of show line here in our kennel. I really like the Czech lines over the german working lines

I prefer a dog that can work period.... if he looks good also then I'll take it as a bonus.

I think there are more showline breeders (American and West German stock) in the U.S. than there are working line (East German, Czech, etc.) breeders. My latest pup is German showlines, linebred on Ursus Batu. I wanted a pup who would be showy, but who could also do some work like tracking. So far I'm happy (or I will be again once the skunk scent fades.) A lot of people who are seriously into schutzhund or ring sports prefer working lines for their drive and intensity, or they get Malinois for that same reason.  But most people in the U.S. who get a GSD want a pet or companion; they have no intention of showing in AKC, UScA, or GSDCA-WDA. These people just want a healthy pet who will walk or jog with them and frankly, that's fine with me.

Fair comments, i just wondered which lines was prefered over there in the USA, on the whole after reading a few of the posts

We have in our club one Dog who is about 50-50 showline -working line, a very nice Dog but although he is doing well lacks that little extra to really do well at ScHh although he is ScHh1

However he is a likeable Dog, and highly thought of by his owner as he should be

My Fred is very much the opposite of this Dog he is a very High drive Dog and is a handfull, when on the training field but at home he is the opposite,

Steve

I read something to the effect that about 80% of all GSDs registered in Germany are showline and the rest are working line.

Here in the U.S., the showline percentages would even be higher because the American line shepherds are show dogs.

Actually the majority of GSD puppies born in the U.S. are neither show nor working, they are backyard bred pet dogs that sell for $200 in the Sunday classifieds. Some of them are registered, some not. I don't know if you have the same situation in Belgium.

The answers that you get from this forum will be very much skewed since the majority of posters are workingline aficionados while most of the showline people I know seem to be more interested in posing with their dogs for pictures.  :-)

When you say 'Dog owners of the USA', I'm going to take it as, all owners in the US, not just dog owners who train and show.

Definately in my mind the Show Line would come out on top.  I believe the working lines are an aquired taste.  I am aquiring it......, but the show line did catch my eye in the beginning.

For the majority of owners (your average family) in the US, the show line have what they want.  Beauty, personality, and a gentler, easier to handle temperament.  Generally speaking, I know there are exceptions.

I am new to the Europeon lines, and new to schutzhund.  I still have a few of the 'lassie complex' ideals stuck in my head, which is what most of the general population wants.  The showlines come very close to delivering this ideal.

Well, I personally own both (show line are my preference though).  In my area (Florida), most folks don't really know what a working line GSD is and have no idea that there is a difference.  This is even true of the members of my local all Breed Dog club.  Heck, I get more questions about what kind of dog my red sable GSD is than I do about my White GSD rescue and he's oversized and plush coated.

And, yeah, in my area most of the GSD's are from BYB's. 

Melissa

Personally if you want a real family Dog, and you are not interested in ScHh or such then its best to not have a Working Line.

Nothing wrong in the Showline they are beautiful Dogs who in my opinion give as much pleasure to the Owners as the working line does for us, and there is an art in the Conditioning and Handling of such a Dog

 But for me the working line is the one, I love to watch and note how certain Dogs come on and some do not, plus taking the intense drive into account of some of the Dogs then i compare my own two to them, just for my own interest, this then gives me some idea as to what the Pups may or may turn out to be in the future

At the moment i have a good idea as to how one will turn out

As for the poster who asked about How big a percentage of working line as to showline i cannot say i only move around in the world of working line Dogs, but they do take these Dogs to a show to get them classified, of which they must get at least a 'Good'

i am not interested in breeding  with them, so todate have not done this but may later on, that is taking them to a show, not the breeding side though

Steve

 I have had the privilege to owned a very hard working dog from a hungarian line who I have trained to a Sch 2 title.  This was one of the most brilliant dog I have ever encountered.  He learned so quickly and had all the qualities you want in a working dog.  That is to say he wanted more everyday and had a tireless drive.  I admire that very much but it is true that most people  doesn't need such a dog.  You really need to give them work or they will go nuts.  Way to much to handle for the average people.

I now own and breed american show line.  I know you are going to say that they lack in courage and bla bla bla but you have to remember that the American standard is based on the German Shepherd working has a herding dog.  Now you do not want an agressive dog with too much prey drive herding sheep.  I breed to have balance dogs with guarding  and herding abilities.  Dogs I can trust with people and other animals. 

I love all german shepherds because this is simply the best breed ever.  We need to remember that  they are the most versatile.  Wether it is to be a guard dog, police dog, blind dog herding dog or simply a family dog.  That is why there is such a diversity amongs breeders.

Keep on the good work!!

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