WHICH LINE IS MOST VALUABLE????? - Page 3

I don't know if this is turning the thread in a different direction but let's explore this a bit.....

I don't know when the Capt died (those more knowlegable educate me please) but in his day herding sheep was a real working venue. Sheep herding dogs in his day worked large flocks all day long in extreme conditions.

The belgian shepherds began to emerge as seperate breeds about the same time as the GSD's. I challenge people to look back at the Seiger list from 1900 to 1925. Do these dogs look more like Malinios or the GSD's of today? I am not trying to make this Mal vs GSD.

The point I am trying to make and the question is........

How many GSD's of today could really work sheep like they did in Max's day (and to keep this on track) what lines? I would say the smaller, working lines would be the only ones.

Forgot to add my reasoning.......

To work sheep as they did in Max's day you needed a drive, speed, stamina, and HARDNESS.

Where else besides the smaller working lines would you be able to find this?

     I truly love and appreciate everyones response to my question, Thank you!

GARD, why not ask Kirschental kennel if the dogs of today can herd sheep?!!!! BTW they have mostly show lines!!!!

Debby

ebinezer052899@yahoo.com   http://castlebrookshepherds.net/enter.html

My question was how many can herd sheep like they did in 1901? I am not being a smart ass. I have no idea what is involved in an HGH title. Can they herd flocks in the 100's in snow to 100+ temperatures? Back in the day, if a dog cut their pad, I doubt they were rushed to the vet, they probably were expected to keep working. They were not feed top of the line dog food that cost $1.75 a pound. So would they be able to do that today?

I don't know much about Kirschental dogs. My understanding is they were very good working dogs years ago and were able to compete at high levels of Sch as well as herding. Now they are showlines. I understand they are one of the better showlines for working but I have not seen that name at national or world events. I could be wrong but that is my understanding of those dogs.

GARD,    Yes what a question,    WORKING !!   would have been the key word now wouldn't it.   Boy are you all so pathetic about symantics ??  Or just uneducated ??

the GSD is a "Herding" breeding !!!!!!!!   

So who decided they are a WORKING DOG ONLY !!   Answer the question please your the EXPERT   (NOTE,  I bolded working for you)

capt. also did NOT have a bunch of random kennels,  his dogs were his companions, friends, and family !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"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." (echo)

This was your last question - asked & answered.  Unfortunately we thought by your question you knew herding IS work, guess we gave you too much credit,  sorry, won't happen again

"So who decided they are a WORKING DOG ONLY !!   Answer the question please your the EXPERT   (NOTE,  I bolded working for you)" (echo)

Someone who can read slowly and enunciate clearly need to go over this with you:

"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

The lines most valuable to me are the ones that can still do the task they are needed for. Seeing eye dogs, herders, police dogs, military dogs, and the many other tasks we wish from them. Some of these are show some are working line. Some kennels breed for multiple venues others specialize in one,  like the dogs for the blind.

You can't ask which is most valuable because there is no one right answer. The most valuable dogs are the ones who's owners deem irreplaceable. Could be a little girls pet or a bomb sniffing dog who saves many human lives daily. I personally put more stock in the bomb dog, but tell that to the little girl!

Well said 4pack.  Our breed is so incredibly versatile. I think what makes GSDs so special as a whole is that many times the bomb sniffing dog and the little girls pet are many times one & the same. 

GARD  From the information I've been given from the 5 or 6 shepherds I've spoken with, Hardness is not something they look for  when selecting dogs to work sheep. Their comments were consistent.

I have several showlines who have the physical correctness to work sheep. They can go all day.  Maybe some day I'll get some. Granted some,maybe many showlines couldn't  but there is something to be said for the stock you select and the way you train. Most GSD's can do anything if they are correct.

And to someone else, whose name I won't mention- they are making estrogen in a patch now.  Maybe that will help