Where are Old style lines in America still available? - Page 23

Blitzen, as a matter of fact I did do a UD on a dog. It is a lot of work. I never intended to slight any title or activity. Please look at my advice to smiley. It encourages her to investigate the GSD. Old style, new style, standard. I am sorry to ruffle any feathers.

It takes a lot, a lot of training to put the AKC "alphabet soup" on a dog. More than skimming by on IPO title or the Saturday nite specials offered up. It takes three passes to get the AKC alphabet tacked on, can't say that for IPO. But this isn't about one being better than the other....yes, hands on and as I suggested to Smiley, go talk to the breeder/ trainer of the dog she admires and find out first hand from the source. Maybe she doesn't like my advice, but that's what I'd do if I was interested in what it takes to succeed in something of interest. Better than just talking to others who all have a different opinion, but no personal experience with the dog she admires and wants to emulate in a program.

Hey, Joan....I applaud the dog but it doesn't mean I would breed to him! 

I have a certain look in my mind that I want and certain characteristics. I don't want to compromise my vision.

so, just because I applaud dogs acocomplishments doesn't mean I would want them in my program as I need to compliment my bitch. Does that make sense?

Truth be known, out of all the stud dogs in the country, I haven't found one that  gets me crazy excited. It's so pathetic. I don't know what is wrong with me....seriously. I have issues.

It seems I am searching for a ghost.

And...I can get bashed all I want but gosh dang it I like the old style dog from the 50's/60's. I can't help it!! I just do....

When you find that dog, Smiley, do as everyone her has advised, go and take a look at him

Gsd, we posted simultaneously, so I didn't see you said basically the same thing I did per AKC titles.

As for your question, where are all the old fashioned GSDs ? Which ones, the ones bred here in the USA, or the eu bred? I can say that I have seen, trained and even owned 'old fashioned" American bred GSDs....they are what I would call "farm" dogs, no conformation or performance titles any where too close up in ped. They are dogs bred by people who could be called "unethical" by the gsd breeding cult purists for not titling; they work at maintaining "useful" dogs for themselves and discerning families; not dogs that are raised/trained then sold, or bred and sold pregnant; their dogs are family members, watch over the 'wife' and kids while the husband is at work; keep varmints out of the hen house; can fetch a bucket out of the bull pen, round up an escaped cow and calf and help get them back home. The "jobs" and usefulness of such a dog can go on for pages, but think you get my drift. And they live to be twelve and fourteen, not Drop dead at four or five.

Smiley, didn't think you were talking about using the dog for breeding, I thought you were interested in how to reach goals in producing what your ideal is (which should coincide with the breed standard). So if you don't want to use him for breeding, no need to put your hands on the dog, but talking to the person who accomplished what she did with him isn't a bad idea.
How about describing the dog you think to be your ideal. A picture of your female (sorry if you posted and I missed it) would be helpful if she represents your ideal.

Joan, you are describing the farm dogs I knew as a kid, except most were collie-type dogs, not GSDs.

Some of the dogs so-called BYBs have may not make it in the show ring, but that doesn't mean they are bad dogs. My male rescue came from such a breeder. I trained him as my first Hearing Ear dog, and he likely saved my life one night, when we were out walking and I fell into a fence post hole, and couldn't get out. He's a good watch dog, but can be totally trusted with guests and even small children once they are let into the house. He's 12 now, his hearing is going and he's a bit weak in the hind end due to arthritis, but I am sure he wll make it at least to age 13 or maybe even 14.

Smiley, if this is what you're looking for, sorry, he's neutered!    (J/K, of course...I know his structure ain't all that great, though he does a a gorgeous headpiece!)



Because dogs like this have not been bred for the show ring, it is very hard to find specimens that have decent conformation. Even if you did find one with decent structure, it's doubtful he/she would reproduce it when bred, because it hasn't been selected for by the breeder.

Sunsilver, Fred is a person who has a valued opinion when it comes to soundness in the breed from a conformation perspective. You find old style dogs today from a phenotype perspective, not so much from genotype anymore. But I think this topic has many differents perspectives

It's been a very interesting, informative topic, that's for sure! And I really appreciate that people have  kept it that way, instead of running off down rabbit trails, or bashing one another!  

Joan...I don't want to sidetrack thread.

On another note, I honestly wondered what became of the old style GSD. If they are still being utilized and where?

Why did they fall out of favor with the mainstream GSD owner? Or did they? Perhaps, they ARE the mainstream dog and the heavily titled show and sport dogs are the minority. Does visibility equal quality?