Do You Think so????..... - Page 1

that people in show line business get screwed more than people in Working line business. IS there a trend here?? Are working line people more honest????


Your views and opinions please


cheers

Im think that is fair to say, Why cos Showline people breed dogs, just for one reason ...so they look good. Simple. Showline dogs are bred to look good, when they stand with thier weak "banana-backs" apparently its called having good conformation.... and the working ability, well they virtually have none, cos they have no use for it... years back in the oldern days, in the 80's and 90's., there were showline dogs that could work.... but not anymore.... the good genes have been replaced by bad ones, weak ones, hence why they have weak nerves and genetic problems...

Now the working line dogs, are bred to work. To be able to handle various pressures in various disciplines. These dogs aint bred to look good, they aren't bred to have "banana backs". Max v Stephanitz, created a working dog, a dog that was bred to work. Over the years this philosophy has branched out, into various types, causing a real difference in the looks and working performances. However, in the workingline world, there are poorly bred dogs, dogs with weak nerves being used constantly as breeding tools.

This arguement can go on for years and we will not reach a conclusion, so therefore I wish everyone from both sides, showlines and working lines all the best and I hope that you breed strong and real serious working dogs for the seeable future, And I truly hope that maybe one day, there might eventually be a reproduction of the oldern type german shepherds... The ones that not only looked good, but the ones that were also multi funtional, and that had real hearts and willingnesses to work!!!!

Generalizing does not make a good arguement.   I hate the stupid line drawn down the middle.  If the only way a person can answer a question about A GSD is to attack other GSD to maketheir point...its a useless conversation in my book.  I have seen good dogs in both areas.  American Show lines and working German lines.  You can make statements about bannana backs...which will be counterred with German Roach backs.  Who temperament is weaker the American show line that is to nervous...Or the Ripp your face off German Bred dog who is biting on his terms.  Dogs are what you make them....most of the time.  What I  like to do is see a dog....work with that dog....see what the potential is.  I am not talking about breeding for litters here people....so don't jump in yet.  But my point is after I have worked with a dog for a while (I might have an idea because of conformation of course) but I don't want to be biased by pedigree.  Its the dog I want to know about.  What he is capable of...what his personality is about...how far can I take him.....then I get around to looking at the pedigree.  AS with Horses...a pedigree is really nice....but it doesn't guarentee you anything.  We still have to do our part.  So when I work with a dog....I try to see the dog in front of me...and not what I think should be there because I know his pedigree.  It at least gives the dog a fair chance to be who and what he is.  We all have our preferences...but I like a good bidable dog...loyal and confidant, who likes to work, likes his family, is suspisious of strangers, likes to learn...etc.  I could go on and on.  The point is...a good dog is a good dog...and while pedigree has a lot to do with a lot of people's decision to buy a dog...it is not the only thing I am looking at.  I have Show and Working lines.....and I feel very protected and very safe in either of my dogs care.  Longevity has been good.  I just like to keep an open mind about a dog....and I don't have much patience for "generaalized" statements...as they are not helpful, nor are they always correct.  If we do our home work as well tell others to do...you can find a very nice GSD that does it all...from both sides of the fense.  That has been and still is my expierence. 

Since we are speaking in gross generalities- here goes: FOR the AVERAGE person who wants a GSD- they want a "pet" that is a GSD. Let's be realistic and honest for a minute- out of the tens of thousands of GSD puppies born every yr, what percentage are actually shown and /or worked? I'll take a stab and say a very small fraction. My point here, is that it is fashionable and trendy to have one, just to HAVE one, or more. The vast majority of these people that want one for a pet, want the black and tan or black and red. For unscrupulous breeders wanting to make some money, the supply and demand theory is working. The standards are thrown out the window, and corners are cut to increase profit. These people see $ and could care less about the future of our GSD. It makes me ill, but that is the fact. Of course this DOES indeed happen with working lines as well, but by sheer numbers, the showlines are definitely more prevalent. Dogbite, You are sadly mistaken about showline people only breeding for looks. There are many people that are breeding showlines for working ability. I have. Huerta does, silbersee does.. I have 4 GSDs, two of which I bred myself and kept for my own program, that I train routinely for SCH at my own club that I co sponsored and have run for nearly 5 yrs. Drives and potential working ability were the FIRST and FOREMOST priorities in keeping both, well above any rich color or extreme conformation. I have also returned, sold or passed up many pups and dogs due to LACK of drive and/or working potential when choosing for myself. Theresa