Does schutzhund title qualify dog as working breed - Page 2

There are many breeds that you may see commonly in a SchH club, at least in Germany: Rotties, Doberman, Boxer, Hovawart, Giant Schnauzer, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Malinois, Dutch Shepherd. I know of a Golden Retriever that had a SchH title, and Leerburg had a Jack Russel Terrier on their site some time ago that did SchH. I have seen some of the Mastiff and Bullie breeds do SchH too. Its a working title, which is separate from the definition of working breed. Many different breeds can obtain a SchH title, including mixed breeds. It is a title for an individual dog and depends on ability of dog and handler and the right training infrastructure. Put the best dog with a dud handler or no access to the right SchH club and not much will be happening with that dog. There are a lot of show dogs, those are not show breeds though. Just individual dogs being shown. Many breeds have a show line and a working line. Greyhounds for example have racing lines and show lines, pretty self explanatory which is which. Labs have working lines who do field trials and show lines. Etc. The difference within the GSD breed is mainly that in the working line breeding the focus on structure and movement is being pushed into the background in favor for, hopefully, better working ability, or rather better results in the competitive SchH sport. These breeders tend to be more competitive in the SchH area. Working line breeding attempts are no guarantee for better working ability. Lots of working line pups that never get titled or are suitable for work, but they may not be well suited as pets. Show line breeders still must fulfill the minimum breeding requirements which include a working title, but their focus is more on structure and movement. These breeders tend to be more competitive in the show ring. Lots of show line dogs also never get titled. But because their breeding is not just for drive and ability, they tend to be easier placements for pet homes. Whether one line is better than the other depends on who you talk to. Lots of show line dogs out there that are working K9s. For top sport they may lack certain aspects that are needed for the rigors of daily training that is done by trainers who are seriously competitive at the top. Most handlers are missing those aspects too mind you, the dog is only part of that equation. People serious about the SchH sport are usually not very interested in showing at any level, they see it as a necessary evil to get the one show rating on their dog and only pay more attention to a good rating if the dog is doing well in the sport. All of the sudden a V becomes more important when a dog is competing at top level... And people who are serious about showing are usually not very interested in learning about how to do high level SchH sport. They are happy to just get a basic title on the dog for breeding or send their dog off for titling. Both areas of the shepherd sport demand a lot of time and attention. It is very hard to do both, never mind do both well. What will fulfill your personal needs only you can decide. If you are new to the breed, it may not be a good idea to go with a dog from very high drive or more aggressive lines. If you want a red and black show line dog and want to do basic SchH, or tracking, or agility, and a dog that will alert to strangers, most will fulfill that and will be plenty enough dog for a newbie to the breed to handle. If you would like to get a working line pup, you should have at least an active lifestyle and be willing to work with the dog in some dog sport so that it will not become a nuisance because it does not know what to do with itself if left without something to do. Be careful what you whish for. You can always 'upgrade' later once you have a better first hand knowledge of the breed. Most people who get a GSD will not be content for long with just one :o).

Thank you so much to all for continuing to educate me-a newbie, who has had two GSD's in the past and am just realising WHAT lines they were from! Now I can make a really EDUCATED choice for my next one, and yes D.H., they are like potato chips-you want more! I am choosing showline based on all of the criteria you so eloquently shared above-it is truly the best choice for my family and me. But...I started out my quest thinking I was going to buy working line-thanks to all here and the breeders that I have spoken to for hours...I now KNOW what it is that I really need and can work with! Yeah! Good luck Mastan-I am right there with you, as I am choosing my pup this year too, and this board can be really a big help... Tirzah07

Pays to do your homework... I always prefer hard working lines but my wife prefers the show lines as she can handle them better. Take your time and you can find excellent showlines and if possible go visit the kennel and view the parents and pups before selecting..Remember, you don't have to buy a pup from the first kennel. You may like the breeder and they may be very helpful but make sure you get the quality you want. Most Good breeders want the same thing more than just making a sale.

I think it's great that you're reading this forum before you get your puppy. If more people did that sort of intensive reading and research maybe there wouldn't be so many GSDs in shelters because "he just didn't work out". Lots of people are giving you lots of good comments on working vs show, both in abilities and in looks. While it's true that sables, who've traditionally been classed in the working lines, don't seem to get a lot of high show titles - which is a shame - there are many red and black ones who place highly at national performance events and have V show titles, and some even are active duty K9s. I've had GSDs for many years and with each puppy I started the research all over again because there are normally 12 or so years between puppies in our household. Keep learning, keep reading, because the more you know . . . you know?

Our working lines work and are couch potatoes too. They even have their own couch in the family room. ;)

Thanks to everyone for your comments and advice. I am getting a much clearer picture regarding the showline and working line breed. I have vivtes the Menlo park schutzhund club and talked with Ajay Singh, who has a lot of knowlegde ablout this breed and also the schutzhund sport. I have been recommended by people on this board to contact Randy Tyson of menlo park and I have done that too. I plan to meet her next week and discuss about my puppy. Again thanks a lot for all your comments. As everyone mentioned that it helps to do the homework....I am continuing in doing that....:-) Thanks Mastan

Hi Guys:

I have finally selected my pup.  Randy Tyson helped me to select my pup.  I got a male pup from Bony Jezince and Hektor vom Talka Marda breeding.  My pup's name is "Moyuk Vom Hau Tyson".  It is a very good looking pup.  I plan to train with this dog in the Menlo Park Schutzhund club with both Randy and Ajay Singh's help.

Thanks

Mastan