Question for the experienced breeders: - Page 1

I have a GSD that I imported from Germany. His looks are typical showline (red/black)dark pigmentation. Yet looking at the linebreeding almost every dog in his backround has some type of "V" rating. My question, even though it may be an anomoly is it possible to get the best of both worlds? The pet store I go to has a wall with dog pictures, I gave a picture to the owner and everytime I stop in she says everyone comments on your dog, and all the German Shepherd Breeders want to meet him. I live in a city and the Vet I go to is huge, They have around six Vets working there. I was told he is the nicest GSD they have ever seen. I was told he was obediance trained, he could track, and was protection trained. I hired a trainer for a day to evaluate him and sure enough he tracked well, he attacked on command, he jumps well and hurtles excellant. He has an outstanding disposition. He is my fourth GSD and no I don't go thru Dogs rapidly I'm just OLD, LOL. I paid big bucks for him and it was well worth it. At present I have no intention of breeding him, I think he could be easily titled. Everthing I have read here seems to indicate that the dog will either lean towards working dog or showline but not both. The trainor said she thought he excelled in agility. He is a son of V9 Fritz vom Farbenspiel. If anyone would like to see my dog please visit the link below. SG Pango vom Haus-Farrenkopf http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/456864.html Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

I'm not sure exactly what your question is? He's all showline so are you asking if he'll have working ability?

I think you already know the answers to most of your questions. Think you just want some comments on your dog. The average person doesn't spend big bucks on an imported dog just for a pet. He's a show dog that has done decent in the biggest show in Germany. His bloodlines are very nice, especially on the father side. I'm not experienced but from what I see he has nice conformation. He is a very nice looking showline dog with nice bloodlines. He could probably do pretty nice here in the States if you get an experienced trainer/handler. Either way, good luck with him.

I'm sorry if my original post wasn't clear. From what I have read on this board it appears to me that the general concensus is that if you look at the linebreeding of a particular dog it either leans towards showline or working dog. Analyzing a particular dogs linebreeding titles and ratings can that dog be potentially outstanding in both entities? Thanks

What they are trying to say is that your dog does not have working lines in it. There is a big split with history behind it, between the looks and even temperments of European working line breeding, European show breeding, and American showline breeding.

Ninja, Pango is a Showline or Conformation line dog 100%. There are many showline dogs that work well. There are some working lines that do reasonably well in the shows. You can have both to a degree. As long as you don't expect to win the BSP with your show dog or win the BSZ with your working dog, there should be something the the way of a German Shepherd that should satisfy you. There has been much progress made in the last few years as those that were mainly interested in showing have found the few trainers that could/would train the conformation line dog correctly. likewise there are some that seek better ratings with their working lines and are participating in show training to enhance their results. The Fritz progeny I have had and have seen all worked well. They were respectable and above average on the field. Good luck with your new boy.

Does he have a white spot on chest or just the way the picture apprears?

Yes he does have a small spot on his chest, it's hard to tell whether it is silver or white. Kind of in between. Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions. Joe

Nice looking dog. Nice pedigree. Nice placing in the BSZS in Ulm. Go out and join a club, train your dog, and have fun! Shelley

If what you are referring to by "best of both worlds" is a dog that excels in both working and show, then my response to you would be a hearty "good luck"! Over the years a decisive rift has appeared in the GSD between showlines and working lines. A casual review of the "dogs for sale" on this web site will show you how distinct the categories have become. Certainly, it is possible to have a dog that can get SchH titles and nice scores, and also a nice conformation rating. However, I believe you will see that "show" people want "show" dogs, and "working" people want "working" dogs. Just look through the ads, and the pedigrees of the dogs, and you will hard pressed to find anyone at the top of their game that is mixing show lines are working lines. By this I mean that you will not find any VA black and red show dog that has a straight backed sable up close in the pedigree. Nor will you find a BSP/DPO champ that has any roach backed show dogs up close in the pedigree. Why? Well apparently you can't make top show dogs with working dogs, and you can't make top working dogs with show dogs. Whereas you will find plenty of "average Joe's" mixing working and show lines for their breedings, you will not find any dogs on the podiums at either BSP or BSZS with mixed lines. So, if pursuit of "perfection" is your goal, then I suppose you need to figure out which camp you are in... do you want a roach backed "black and red stallion" to own the show ring, or a hard-hiting, hard-driving working dog to own the SchH field? Yvette